Community Engagement Volunteer / Assistant

Title: Community Engagement Volunteer/assistant

Ref N: CISP002-2022

No. of positions: 2 (Two)

Location of work: Kakamega/Nakuru Counties

Reports to: Community Engagement Officer

Duration: 1st April 2022 to 31st October 2022 – active periods of engagement will be communicated based on the ESARO project training schedule.

CISP – Comitato Internazionale per lo Sviluppo dei Popoli (International Committee for the Development of Peoples) is a rights-based international NGO established in 1983 in Rome. CISP implements humanitarian, rehabilitation, and development projects through cooperation with public and private local actors in over 30 countries globally. Since 1997 CISP has been working in Kenya to carry out projects in areas of development by supporting national and county authorities to provide quality, equitable, transparent, and accountable services in various sectors. Over the past 23 years, CISP Kenya has expanded its activities across more than 12 Counties in both rural and urban areas in various sectors of intervention, including Agriculture and Food Security, Conservation, Livelihoods, Health and Nutrition, Protection (children, refugees, GBV), Education (early childhood, university), Governance, and Arts and Culture.

CISP is currently implementing a 3-year project titled “Safe Communities for safe Children and Adolescents in Kenya” in Kakamega and Nakuru Counties, with support from AICS (Agenzia Italiana per la Cooperazione allo Sviluppo/Italian Agency for Development Cooperation). The project involves six partners, namely;

• MARPA (Matungu Rural Poverty Alleviation)

• KNOTE (Kenya National Outreach Counselling and Training Program)

• Kenyatta University

• Trim (Translate into Meaning)

• ISS (Istituto Superiore di Sanità/ Italian National Institute of Health)

• And a strong collaboration with the Department of Children Services, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education of Kakamega and Nakuru Counties, Kenya.

The project’s overall objective is to strengthen children and adolescents’ protection in Kakamega and Nakuru Counties to prevent and respond to violence, abuse, exploitation, and harmful cultural practices.

Job Purpose

CISP is leading a consortium of partners to implement a Child Protection project funded by AICS in four sub-Counties in Nakuru and Kakamega Counties. The purpose of this position is to mobilize and engage with community structures and stakeholders, and to initiate community dialogues for a positive change for children in Kakamega/Nakuru Counties. The position will work closely with all other staff in the consortium and other stakeholders to enhance prevention and response mechanisms for child rights violations in the targeted communities.

Roles and Responsibilities:

Under supervision of Community Engagement Officer.

• Assume responsibility for community dialogues and children empowerment activities (child rights clubs) at field level, and ensure compliance with the discussion tools, project tools and work plan.

• Ensure timely and effective implementation of the supervision and monitoring tools of the community dialogues and child rights clubs.

• Monitor the communication action plans aiming at changing harmful social norms and improving community awareness on child rights.

• Supervise the activities of the child rights clubs, including regular visits to schools with child rights clubs to coordinate discussions/activities and monitor their progress.

• Support the implementation of the community-led awareness and prevention activities including SBCC events

• Ensure timely and accurate data and reports including pictures, good practices, lessons learnt, and human-interest stories are submitted to the line manager.

• Participate in weekly meetings with line manager to plan, discuss any issues, share ideas and coordinate project activities.

• Ensure child-friendly procedures are included in all activities.

• Assess and share gaps in the field of child protection and initiate partnerships to address those gaps.

• Perform any other duties assigned by the supervisor.

Minimum Qualifications and Experience

• Form 4 certificate, certificate in social work or related field is an added advantage

• Should be an active Child Protection Volunteer or Community Led Dialogue member or magnet theater youth volunteer

• Should be a resident of either Matungu, Mumias West, Naivasha or Gilgil sub counties

• Bachelor's degree in development studies, project management, child rights, or relevant fields will be an added advantage

• Minimum of 2 years of relevant work experience in child protection or related field with international organizations.

• Basic communication skills in written and spoken English and Kiswahili

• Basic Computer skills is an added advantage

• Demonstrate ability to adapt to changing programme priorities

• Demonstrated experience and knowledge in working with rural communities and social norms change related activities.

• Strong self-starter, able to take initiative and adapt to changing circumstances and priorities

• Positive attitude towards community work with emphasis on the ability to learn from communities and support innovative approaches to problem-solving

• Strong skills in planning, organizing, cooperation and performance-oriented

• Commitment to CISP Values and Child Protection Policy.

How to apply

Please send your application by e-mail to kenya@cisp-ngo.org and esther.waduu@cisp-ngo.org with the e-mail subject “Application for Community Engagement” or drop your application at our CISP office in Kakamega or K-NOTE office Naivasha, no later than 18th March 2022 at 5 pm (EAT). Late applications will not be reviewed.

Applications must include ALL of the following to be assessed:

1. CV including three references (maximum three pages)


2. Cover letter demonstrating how you meet the qualifications for this position and your expected salary (maximum 1 page)


3. Duly filled Annex 3.3. Job Application Form

Please note only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

For more information about this position, you can contact us through the same email address.

For more information about CISP, please visit www.cisp-ngo.org

CISP is strongly committed to ending Child Abuse, all forms of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, and to building a work environment that is safe and welcoming for all, where Sexual Harassment does not take place. The desired candidate for any position should share and support this commitment in all aspects of their personal and professional behavior. Any history implicating that the applicant has a history of Child Abuse, Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, or Sexual Harassment, is a reason for excluding him or her from employment with CISP.