The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

Background/IRC Summary:

Founded in 1933, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. The IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. The IRC leads the way from harm to home.

The IRC is working in Libya since August 2016, targeting the most vulnerable non-displaced, IDPs, refugees and migrants in hard-to-reach areas. According to assessments, healthcare is considered the priority need in Libya, most urgently in terms of quality health staff, medicines and supplies. There are significant gaps in the response, according to Libya’s Ministry of Health (MoH), the Libyan Red Crescent, UN agencies, and international NGOs. IRC’s team in Libya has the specific goal of reaching those in the hardest hit areas to beneficiaries of all ages and sex, both Libyans and third-country nationals.

The Community Outreach Volunteer (COV) plays a crucial role in bridging the gap between our healthcare services and the refugee communities in Benghazi. They are dedicated to reaching out and connecting with the most vulnerable and hard-to-reach refugee communities in Benghazi. Their main task is to engage with community members, and raise awareness about common community health topics, and refer them to the medical, gynecology, psychiatry, and psychology services provided by IRC. This is to make a meaningful impact on the health and well-being of vulnerable refugee populations.

Major Responsibilities:

Under the supervision of the Senior Community Health Officer (SCHO), the COV is responsible for:

·       Conducting health needs assessments in their communities in collaboration with the CHW team.

·   Developing strong relationships with community members and leaders and develop areas of collaboration to address health issues and service needed,

·       Performing regular health education sessions for beneficiaries and their communities.

·       Conducting other community health activities, organizing campaigns on common health concerns and issues, including communicable diseases and noncommunicable, and preventative care. 

·       Reaching out to their vulnerable communities and bringing beneficiaries to the IRC-support health facilities. This helps ensure the beneficiaries access to the healthcare services.

·       Supporting the health team in translation to/from African and refugees’ languages,

·   Assisting the community health and medical team with other tasks, activities, and support as necessary,

·       Disseminating health information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials to beneficiaries and their communities, including brochures, flyers, and posters.

·       Facilitating group discussions to gather feedback from their community,

·       Collecting data about the activities and submit reports on a weekly basis,

·       Attending scheduled program meetings,

·       Enrolling in the capacity building trainings organized or supported by IRC CHW team.

·       Ensuring patient confidentiality, 

Professional Standards

The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct.  These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability.  In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to: Senior Community Health Officer

Working Environment:  This position will be based at refugees’ communities, public areas, PHCCs, and CDC.

Minimum Qualifications:

Job Requirements:

·        Has a good network in targeted the community.

·        Able to speak in Arabic, beside to the target refugees’ languages.

·   Has good communication skills and the capacity to give lectures, facilitate presentations and discussions concerning health issues.

·        Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment with daily travel to different field sites in Benghazi.

·        Effective team player with public interest driven orientation.

·        Demonstrates a high degree of self-motivation.

·        Able to provide assistance to all individuals and nationalities.

Standard of Professional Conduct:The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality.