Kingdom of Lesotho
Ministry of Health
REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS
Job description
| DEPARTMENT | Project Implementing Unit |
| JOB TITLE | Community Liaison Officer x 10 |
| PROJECT | Lesotho Nutrition and Health System Strengthening Project (LNHSSP) |
| RESPONSIBLE TO | E&S Specialist; Social Officer |
| DATE OF ISSUE | 4th February 2020 |
Introduction
The Government of Lesotho (GOL) is planning to implement the Lesotho Nutrition and Health System Strengthening Project (LNHSSP) with the International Development Association’s (IDA) financial and technical support. The proposed project aims to support the GOL in implementing a multi-sectoral approach to improve health and nutrition outcomes over a five-year period.
The LS-NHSS project will be implemented nationwide and will have a strong presence at community level. Other implementing platforms will include health facilities, schools and agriculture extension offices. It is therefore imperative to work with the local governance structures and the community at large. Hence the PIU seeks to engage the community liaison officers in all 10 districts of Lesotho to assist the environmental and Social specialists for the project to maintain the Environment and Social safeguards.
I. Job summary
Under the supervision of the Project Coordinator through the Social Safeguards Officer as well as the Environmental Specialist, the Community Liaison Officer (CLO) builds and maintains relationships with community members to understand their beliefs, concerns, perceptions and constraints that may related directly or indirectly impact the project outcomes. The CLO serves as the principal link and a critical communication channel between the project team and community members. The CLO is also responsible for implementing the grievance redress mechanism timeously and effectively. Additionally, the CLO will, manage day-to-day project activities, create community awareness on the project and record grievances. In addition, the CLO will be responsible for ensuring compliance of Environmental and Social Standards (ESS) under the guidance of the Social Safeguards Officer as well as the Environmental Specialist.
II. Duties and Responsibilities
i. Operation Focus
- Gain a thorough understanding of the project operation;
- Understand potential impacts of the operation on the local environment, economy and society;
- Interact with the MoH at central and decentralized levels and all other stakeholders to inform them of community relations activities, community concerns, and proposed solutions;
- Utilize data and information from the grievance mechanism to develop lessons learned and communicated to communities as appropriate.
ii. Manage the grievance mechanism
- The Community Liaison Officer will create awareness on the existence of the project and Grievance Redress Mechanism
- The CLO will oversee implementation and operation of the Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) as follows:
- register the grievance/complaints on the Grievance Log Book and acknowledge receipt within 5 days
- assist the Project implementing Unit in responding back to the beneficiary’s queries/complaints lodged, giving their status and/or their outcome if they had been resolved
- review and evaluate grievances/complaints and ensure that complainant is given feedback within 14 days;
- receive community and stakeholders’ complaints and concerns, record them in a database; and update complaint information in the database regularly; and
- resolve complaints and concerns as appropriate:
- review complaints quarterly and close them out when appropriate
- work with compliant owners to help identify options for complaint resolution, as necessary;
- assign complaints that cannot be resolved by the Grievance Focal Point to a relevant authority within the Ministry of Health;
- follow up with authority handling the complaint to ensure complaint resolution is advancing in a timely manner and using a fair process; and
iii. Stakeholders Focus
- Gain a thorough understanding of local socio-economic and cultural conditions;
- Build and maintain relationships with local stakeholders (such as local chiefs, religious leaders, community change agents, community organizations, and nongovernmental organizations);
- Provide information about the LNHSS Project operation to the stakeholders;
- Understand community perceptions of the LNHSS Project;
- Recognize issues within the community that may result in heightened concern or unrest, and thus provide an early warning system on community issues; and
- Based on the project’s stakeholder engagement plan (SEP), facilitate periodic engagements between LNHSSP staff, contractors, consultants, community members, and local officials and representatives, as needed.
- Assist project team to arrange meetings and meeting place for any consultation/pitsos with the community.
iv. Environmental focus
- Under the guidance of the Environmental specialist, disclose all site-specific ESMP and all other project documents and information as required;
- Contact regular meetings with Ministry of Health, and Ministry of Environment authorities, and relevant stakeholders including communities to resolve issues and problems;
- Facilitate trainings and meetings on any environment and social issues; and
III. Qualifications and Experience
- Bachelor’s Degree in Public Relations or Sociology or Development Studies or communication;
- 5 years’ relevant experience working with communities especially in Lesotho;
- At least 2 years’ experience working with health related or any social sector; and
- Deep knowledge of potential conflict points for Ministry of Health and communities.
IV. Key Skills
- Strong customer service focus;
- Excellent communication skills;
- Ability to work both independently and within teams;
- Ability to work on issues that may lead to conflict or be emotionally charged;
- Ability to influence decision making at all levels; and
- Ability to spend extended periods in the field and work irregular hours.
V. Reporting
The Community Liaison Officer will be reporting directly to the Environment and Social specialist. The reporting and administrative supervision at district level will be established at a later stage. The CLO will produce weekly and monthly reports indicating complaints or queries registered and key communication messages shared with
VI. Duration
The duration of the assignment shall be subject to a probation period of four (4) months, satisfactory performance, need and availability of funding.
VII. Duty Station
In all 10 districts and preferably candidates will be selected from each district. The candidate will be placed at district level but be able to work at community level (Village) if necessary.
VIII. Remuneration
Successful candidates will be offered performance-based contract; subject to review after the first year with possibility of extension dependent on performance and availability of funds
IX. Application Instructions
CVs must be delivered in a written and hard Copy form to the address below, on or before 20th February, 2020, 1200 hour Local time.
Attn: Procurement Specialist
Procurement Unit, Ground Floor, Ministry Of Health Headquarters ,Corner Constitution Road & Linare Road P. O. Box 514, Maseru 100, Lesotho, Tel:(+266) 2732 3277
Only shortlisted and successful candidates will be contacted within two weeks from submission deadline. If you do not receive a call and email from us consider application not successful.