Project Name: Mobile Citizen Helpdesk, the #quakehelpdesk

BACKGROUND

The Mobile Citizen Helpdesk or the #quakeHELPDESK has been running in the immediate aftermath of the devastating earthquakes of April 25th and May 12.  #quakeHELPDESK seeks to ensure public accountability in Nepal's earthquake relief efforts while providing a platform for affected communities, emergency responders, and young volunteers to report gaps at the last mile.

The joint initiative of Accountability Lab and Local Interventions Group collects, synthesizes and closes the feedback loop on information related to the earthquake response and ensures relief efforts reach those most in need. The idea in the long term is to monitor the response as a whole, evaluate spending and resource mobilization at the hyper-local level, and help individuals and communities solve specific problems on as-needed basis. In this way, accountability can be built from the bottom-up over time.

PURPOSE

Community Frontline Associates (CFA) are key to the success of the Mobile Citizen Helpdesks. CFAs are responsible for carrying out the monthly household surveys, collecting rumors from the field and establishing relationship with communities, local organisations, humanitarian agencies and local government. As CFA you have an important task to deliver first-hand information from the community with high accuracy and integrity, while working under close supervision and guidance of the District Coordinator. 

SCOPE OF WORK

The Community Frontline Associate’s contract is a full-time role. CFAs shall be fully accountable to the Helpdesk at all times of their contractual engagement. Though based in her/his VDC, this role may require frequent travel to affected communities, and will require considerable amount of time to be spent in the field in other VDCs or wards of the Districts. The role also requires travels to Kathmandu for update meetings and trainings. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The Community Frontline Associates will be responsible for the following:

• Study and understand all instructions provided through the training in order; 
• Reach out and interact with the most affected communities, gather information and help them providing true and authentic information related to government and humanitarian agencies decisions;
• Gather information on what the government, NGOs/INGOS/private agencies and independent groups are providing relief and in what kind to the communities and inform them survivors about it;
• Identify major agencies working in relief as well as government programs on the same field and facilitate in bridging the gap between affected communities and organizations providing relief;
• Promote the SMS hotline number (Toll Free Number) 4000 in communities;
• Conduct monthly household surveys that seeks to capture the perceptions of the affected communities;
• Gather experiences, pictures and recordings of the earthquake survivors or/and witnesses and promote these through social networking sites with emphasis on  “Quake Helpdesk” and “Integrity Idol Nepal”; 
• Write at least two case studies or intervention stories per month;
• Report monthly to the District Coordinator with the activities carried out;
• Ensure adherence to the Code of Conduct for Community Frontline Associates;
• Work according to the programme´s needs and as directed by District Coordinators.

REPORTING ARRANGEMENTS

The Community Frontline Associates will report to the District Coordinator, and in his/her absence will report to the Project Manager or Volunteers Coordinator in Kathmandu.

PERSONAL ESPECIFICATIONS

Essential Qualifications:

• Ability to read and write in Nepali and working knowledge of English 
• Minimum intermediate complete on social work or other relevant subjects 
• Previous experience as a volunteer or staff in the social sector, working with communities and local authorities
• Skills and Traits:
• Personable and able to build trusting relationships
• Able to remain impartial and maintain confidence
• Able to elicit information without leading the interviewee
• Soft-spoken with good communication skills

SALARY BENEFITS

NRs 15000 per month. 

TO APPLY,

Please send your CV/Resume, and a cover letter explaining how your skills and experiences match the need of the positions to: [email protected] 

Applications will only be accepted from people living in the districts listed above.  
Please ensure that you include the District where you are applying from and the position you are applying for. For example SINDHULI: Community Frontline Associate application. 

Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply. 

The closing date for receipt of applications is 4th of April 2016

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