About Aid Gate Organization “AGO”
Aid Gate Organization (AGO) is an independent, nonpartisan, national organization in Iraq whose history goes back to 2014 with the beginning of ISIL’s occupation in Iraq. At that time and throughout the mass conflicts occurring from 2014 onwards, ISIL groups took control of large swathes of the country, including Nineveh, Salah al-Din, Anbar, and parts of Diyala. This period witnessed an unprecedented wave of displacement for people who lived in these areas in addition to extreme human rights violations. With the Iraqi government, unable to provide much-needed, widespread assistance, many international organizations entered the country to facilitate a response. In doing so, local community members were actively recruited to assist in the movement and return of displaced people, while providing them with emergency life-saving assistance to meet their basic needs. Since 2014, AGO has been working untiringly to help Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), returnees, and vulnerable host communities for the implementation of whole-of-community resilience-building measures in Iraq. Today AGO is functional in Salah al-Din, Kirkuk, and the Nineveh governorates, with 50–150 employees, depending on the situation in the region. We are currently working on expanding our operations into the Anbar governorate as well as southern Iraq through proven programs to rebuild the lives of men, women, children, refugees IDPs, minorities, ethnic groups, and persons with disabilities.
JOB DESCRIPTION
Aid Gate Organization (AGO) is seeking a dynamic and motivated individual to fill the position of Outreach Worker. The Outreach Worker will be responsible for engaging with communities, identifying potential project beneficiaries, and supporting the implementation of project activities aimed at enhancing the socio-economic integration of People with Disabilities (PWDs) in their assigned location (Raqqa, Hajen or Kasra). This roleinvolves working closely with beneficiaries, conducting field visits, facilitating access to services, and raising awareness about the project’s objectives and activities within target communities.
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES
Community Engagement and Awareness:
- Establish and maintain strong relationships with community members, leaders, and stakeholders in project areas (Raqqa, Hajin, and Al-Kasra) to promote understanding of the project and its objectives.
- Raise awareness about the socio-economic integration of PWDs through meetings, workshops, and community events.
- Work alongside the Livelihood Project Officer to implement community outreach strategies that identify and engage PWDs and their families.
Beneficiary Identification and Support:
- Identify potential beneficiaries (PWDs) who can participate in the project’s vocational training, employment, and MSME support activities.
- Conduct home visits and field assessments to evaluate the needs and challenges of potential beneficiaries and assess their suitability for project services.
- Assist PWDs in understanding the project’s services and benefits, guiding them through the selection process.
Facilitation of Access to Services:
- Help PWDs access relevant services offered by the project, such as vocational training, psychosocial support, and MSME assistance.
- Provide practical support to PWDs in overcoming barriers to participation, such as mobility challenges, lack of information, or communication difficulties.
- Coordinate with transportation providers to ensure that PWDs can attend training programs and other project activities.
Data Collection and Reporting:
- Collect and document information related to beneficiary participation, challenges faced, and progress made, ensuring accurate and timely reporting.
- Maintain detailed records of outreach activities, community engagement efforts, and beneficiary interactions.
- Provide regular reports to the Livelihood Project Officer on outreach efforts, beneficiary feedback, and recommendations for improving service delivery.
Awareness Raising and Advocacy:
- Assist in organizing community awareness campaigns to challenge stigma and misconceptions about PWDs, promoting their rights and inclusion in economic activities.
- Act as a liaison between the project and local communities, ensuring that community concerns, needs, and feedback are communicated to the project team.
- Advocate for the rights of PWDs, encouraging community members, local leaders, and employers to create inclusive environments for PWDs.
Coordination with Partners and Service Providers:
- Work closely with local disability organizations, vocational training centers, and other service providers to ensure that PWDs receive comprehensive support.
- Facilitate referrals for PWDs to additional services, such as healthcare, psychosocial support, or legal assistance, as needed.
- Coordinate with partners to ensure that outreach and service delivery are consistent with project goals and timelines.
Monitoring and Feedback:
- Monitor the participation and progress of PWDs in various project activities, identifying challenges and suggesting solutions to improve their experience.
- Collect feedback from beneficiaries and community members to inform the ongoing adaptation of project activities to meet the needs of PWDs.
- Support the Livelihood Project Officer in conducting follow-up visits to ensure that beneficiaries are fully benefiting from project services.
Qualifications & Preferred Skills
- Diploma in Social Work, Community Development, or related fields. A Bachelor’s degree is preferred but not mandatory.
- Minimum of 2 years of experience working in community outreach, social work, or related fields, preferably within a humanitarian or development setting.
- Experience working with vulnerable populations, particularly People with Disabilities (PWDs), is highly desirable.
- Strong knowledge of the local context and ability to engage effectively with community members and leaders.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trust and maintain positive relationships with beneficiaries and community stakeholders.
- Familiarity with the socio-economic challenges faced by PWDs in the target areas (Raqqa, Hajin, Al-Kasra) is an advantage.
- Proficiency in Arabic and English language skills are an asset.
How to apply
Interested applicants must complete the Job Application Form.
Note:
- Applications not meeting the specified minimum requirements may not be considered.
- The CVs received after the closing date may not be considered.
- Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview that may include a written test of communication and writing skills.
Due to the nature of AGO work activities, AGO demand its employee to have the highest discretion and flexibility qualities. AGO can anytime according to the needs of his mission, and change the work location of his employee. AGO can at any time update tasks on this Job Description according to the evolution of the program or strategy changes. The above-listed tasks are not exhaustive, the employee can be asked to undertake other tasks by the employer according to the competencies, to work over settings time.
- Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
- Candidates are encouraged to apply early, as applications may be screened prior to the vacancy deadline.