Back Community Mobilizer (Rudaki District)

Project Context and Scope
IOM mission in Tajikistan is carrying out efforts to support of the Government of Tajikistan in the framework of its Comprehensive Action Plan for Afghanistan and Neighboring Countries (CAP) and the Regional Refugee Response Plan for Afghanistan (RRP). Under the project “Improving migration governance and access to services for displaced Afghans in Pakistan and Central Asia” (the Project), IOM is committed to make efforts to enhance social cohesion and access to services for both Tajik and Afghan communities. 

IOM is supporting migrants and host communities through community- and household-level social cohesion interventions, aiming to reinforcing access to services for all and increase peaceful coexistence between and within communities. IOM wants to support Afghan migrants and Tajik communities to improve livelihoods, with a focus on women and youth skills. IOM aims at doing so both through development opportunities and income generation activities to improve economic opportunities and quality of life for project beneficiaries and community members. 

Under the project, IOM is committed to enhancing social cohesion, access to services, and livelihoods for both Tajik and Afghan communities. The hiring of a community mobilizer aims to achieve this by facilitate social cohesion, improve access to vital services, empower marginalized groups, and promote peaceful coexistence within communities, ultimately enhancing the well-being and development of both Tajik and Afghan communities in Tajikistan. Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing
Improving migration governance and access to services for displaced Afghans in Pakistan and Central Asia Tasks to be performed under this contract

• Support Psychosocial Mobile Teams (PMTs) in understanding the affected population's political, socioeconomic, and cultural backgrounds, identifying local resources and available services, underlying tensions and potential (or actual) conflicts due to the crisis, displacement and/or emergency response.
• Understand the community very well and assist mobile teams in mobilizing its various sectors, helping identify and appreciate interventions and facilitating second level (Mental Health and Psychosocial Support) MHPSS activities.
• Support PMTs in establishing an effective two-way communication and coordination system between the MHPSS programme and local stakeholders, affected populations, and concerned groups, promoting formal and informal meetings with traditional and religious leaders, camp and families’ representatives, women and youth leaders, teachers and cultural activists, artists, and media professionals.
• Support PMTs in liaising with intended affected populations, sharing information about the aims, methodologies, and activities of community based MHPSS, promoting consultations and inclusion of vulnerable individuals and families in the programme’s activities, and participatory decision-making processes.
• Support PMTs in daily communication with affected populations, ensuring two-way communication and facilitating activities as a peer.
• Support the PMTs in ensuring accountability, receiving continuous feedback from affected populations through established channels, and sharing information regularly with people of concern. Also, ensure an adequate perception of the organisation and service providers.
• Bound to a specific camp sector or neighbourhood, support PMTs in maintaining effective communication with community committees and community representatives, promoting formal and informal meetings.
• Support PMTs in conducting needs assessments, research and surveys, and mapping and monitoring exercises to identify individuals, families and subgroups in the affected community most needing mental health care and psychosocial and protection support.
• Support PMTs in the overall execution of the programme’s activities.
• Collaborating with MHPSS team on building cultural activities for beneficiaries according to beneficiary needs.
• Provision of information for updating map services. Performance indicators for the evaluation of results
  • Comprehensive Community Profiles: Community mobilizers should provide detailed profiles of the affected communities, including political, socioeconomic, and cultural backgrounds, local resources, available services, and any underlying tensions or conflicts resulting from the crisis, displacement, or emergency response.
  • Community Engagement Plan: Develop and implement a comprehensive community engagement plan that outlines strategies to mobilize various sectors within the community. Identify opportunities for interventions and assist in the facilitation of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) activities.
  • Communication and Coordination System: Establish and maintain an effective two-way communication and coordination system between the MHPSS program and local stakeholders. Document formal and informal meetings with traditional and religious leaders, camp and family representatives, women and youth leaders, teachers, cultural activists, artists, and media professionals.
  • Consultation and Inclusion: Assist in liaising with intended affected populations to share information about the MHPSS program's aims, methodologies, and activities. Promote consultations with vulnerable individuals and families and involve them in participatory decision-making processes.
  • Daily Community Communication: Ensure daily communication with affected populations, maintaining a peer-to-peer approach. Facilitate activities that promote community cohesion and mental well-being.
  • Feedback Mechanisms: Support PMTs in establishing feedback mechanisms to receive continuous feedback from affected populations through established channels. Regularly share information with people of concern and ensure their adequate perception of the organization and service providers.
  • Camp Sector or Neighbourhood Liaison: If assigned to a specific camp sector or neighbourhood, maintain effective communication with community committees and representatives. Promote both formal and informal meetings to address community needs and concerns.
  • Needs Assessments and Monitoring: Support PMTs in conducting needs assessments, research, surveys, and mapping exercises. Monitor and evaluate the mental health care and psychosocial support needs of individuals, families, and subgroups within the affected community.
  • Program Execution Assistance: Assist PMTs in the overall execution of the MHPSS program's activities, including planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting.
  • Documentation and Reporting: Maintain comprehensive records of community interactions, feedback, and activities. Provide regular reports to the project team, highlighting key achievements, challenges, and recommendations for program improvement.
  • Stakeholder Engagement: Engage with local stakeholders, including government agencies, NGOs, and other relevant actors, to foster collaboration and support for the MHPSS program.
  • Capacity Building: Continuously build the capacity of PMTs and community members in MHPSS-related knowledge and skills through training and awareness-raising activities. Education
  • Bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as social work, psychology, sociology, anthropology, international development, or a related discipline is preferred. Experience
  • Proven experience in community engagement and mobilization in diverse cultural and social contexts, particularly in humanitarian or development settings.
  • Familiarity with MHPSS principles and practices, including an understanding of psychosocial needs and protection concerns of displaced populations. 
  • Experience in identifying and addressing potential tensions or conflicts within communities and the ability to facilitate conflict-sensitive approaches.
  • Experience in project management, including planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting. 
  • Proficiency in conducting needs assessments, research, surveys, and data collection, as well as the ability to analyze and interpret findings.
  • Experience in advocating for the needs and rights of vulnerable populations and facilitating outreach activities. Skills
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills to effectively engage with community members, leaders, and other stakeholders.
  • Cultural sensitivity and an understanding of local customs, traditions, and beliefs to build trust and rapport within the community.
  • Skills in conflict resolution and the ability to mediate disputes or tensions within the community.
  • Basic computer skills, including proficiency in word processing and data entry, are typically required for reporting and documentation purposes. Languages
  • Fluency in the local language(s) is often essential, as it enables effective communication with community members. Proficiency in English and other relevant languages may be an advantage, especially if working with an international organization.

    Additional Qualities:

  • The ability to empathize with and provide emotional support to individuals and families facing difficult circumstances.
  • Flexibility and adaptability to work in diverse cultural settings and adapt to changing circumstances.
  • The capacity to cope with stressful situations and maintain a positive attitude in challenging environments.
  • Collaboration and teamwork skills to work effectively with Psychosocial Mobile Teams and other project staff.
  • A strong commitment to humanitarian principles, including neutrality, impartiality, and respect for the dignity and rights of affected populations.
  • Familiarity with the local context, including political, social, and economic dynamics, is advantageous.
  • An understanding of safety and security protocols in humanitarian or crisis-affected areas. IOM’s official languages are English, French and Spanish. Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.   Travel required
  • Travel is not required Required Competencies   IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link. Competencies will be assessed during the selection process.   Values - all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these three values:
  • Inclusion and respect for diversity: Respects and promotes individual and cultural differences. Encourages diversity and inclusion.
• Integrity and transparency: Maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.