Community Liaison Officer - Turkana County (Kakuma/Kalobeyei)

Community Engagement Officer – SHIELD Study

Key Responsibilities

• Lead community entry processes for the SHIELD study, ensuring all protocols for engaging both refugee and host-community leadership are respected.
• Act as the primary Secretariat to the SHIELD Community Advisory Board (CAB), coordinating monthly meetings and ensuring community concerns are integrated into study implementation.
• Engage with County officials, community leaders, local stakeholders, refugee representatives, and households to enhance awareness and promote community participation in SHIELD study activities in accordance with study and community protocols.
• Support the qualitative research teams in organizing, mobilizing, and identifying participants for Focus Group Discussions, Photovoice workshops, and Body Mapping sessions.
• Provide cultural orientation and guidance to the multidisciplinary research team (epidemiologists, entomologists, etc.) to ensure respectful interactions in the field.
• Monitor community perceptions of the study and proactively manage expectations regarding project deliverables and participant reimbursements.
• Ensure that informed consent processes are culturally appropriate and that participants fully understand their rights and the study’s objectives.
• Collaborate with local Community Health Promoters (CHPs) to integrate SHIELD early-warning protocols into existing community health structures.
• Support the dissemination of research findings back to the community through town hall meetings and radio talk shows in local languages.
• Assist in identifying and mitigating security or operational risks related to community dynamics or climate-related disruptions.

Qualifications and Requirements

Minimum Qualifications (Mandatory)

• Diploma in Social Sciences, Community Development, Community Health, Sociology, Anthropology, or a related field.
• Proven ability to navigate complex governance structures, including Refugee Affairs Secretariat (RAS), MOH, and UNHCR protocols.
• Fluency in Kiswahili and English (mandatory); strong proficiency in the Turkana language is highly preferred.
• Willing to work and reside in Kakuma/Kalobeyei.
• Experience in facilitating Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and participatory research methods (e.g., body mapping, photovoice).

Desirable Qualifications (Added Advantage)

• Minimum of three years’ active experience in community liaison and engagement, specifically within pastoralist or refugee-hosting settings. One year of experience in a humanitarian setup will be an added advantage.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong conflict resolution skills and the ability to build consensus among diverse stakeholders.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work as a team player.