Talk to Loop is looking for a Partnerships and Community Engagement Lead in Somalia and Somaliland

‍Partnerships and Community Engagement Lead

 Country: Somalia and Somaliland

Location: Mogadishu with visits to Raagsan’s other offices

Job Type: full-time, 40 hours per week

Salary: A starting salary range of USD 18,000 - 24,000 per annum including tax (depending on experience)

Working Times/Zones: office hours, EAT

Travel Required: Some travel in Somalia and Somaliland

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Management Responsibilities

Reports to: Country Lead

Direct reports: technical guidance to 2-3 Moderators (no managerial role)

Indirect relationships: Sensitive Feedback Lead, User Experience and Quality Assurance Lead, Technology Lead, among others.

Company Overview

Talk to Loop is a feedback and reporting mechanism driving inclusive community engagement, transparency and accountability for the efficacy of aid provision, disaster management, prevention and early warning, as well as for the safe reporting of SEA, GBV, fraud, corruption, and misconduct, among other things. 

To understand what Talk to Loop is, our mission and our way of working please visit our resource page where you will find all the information you need on our unique approach. To get the details on the job opening and the application process, continue reading. 

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Role Overview

The Somalia Partnerships and Community Engagement Lead plays a pivotal role in strengthening Loop’s presence and impact within Somali communities. This role focuses on building and sustaining connections with key local organisations, especially those representing and serving marginalised groups, people living with disabilities, and protection-focused stakeholders working on issues such as gender-based violence (GBV) and child protection (CP). By actively promoting Loop’s platform to these organisations, assisting in their onboarding, and facilitating engagement, the Lead helps ensure that Loop’s services reach and benefit those most in need.

In addition to partnership development, this role leads community engagement initiatives, closely collaborating with the Country Lead and senior team members, including the Fundraising and Communications Lead and the User Experience and Quality Assurance Lead, on specialised projects. While this role does not involve direct managerial duties, the Partnerships and Community Engagement Lead provides technical guidance to select moderators, aligning their work with community engagement goals.

This position is ideal for an individual experienced in stakeholder and community engagement, with a background in protection, Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP), and partnership management. With a strong focus on inclusivity, accountability, and responsiveness, the Partnerships and Community Engagement Lead will play a vital role in expanding Loop’s reach, empowering communities, and fostering a culture of trust and transparency across Somalia.

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To apply, complete this application form.

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Expected Tasks

Partnership and Stakeholder Engagement

• Conduct outreach to a wide range of local organisations, including those focused on minority rights, disability inclusion, GBV response, and other humanitarian areas, to foster partnerships with Loop.
• Communicate the value of Loop’s platform, assisting new partners through the onboarding process.
• Serve as a point of contact for ongoing partnerships, ensuring strong lines of communication and support for partner organisations.

Community Engagement Initiatives

• Design and implement community engagement activities that foster trust, inclusivity, and active participation from local communities and organisations.
• Collaborate with senior staff members to develop strategies for engaging diverse community groups, ensuring alignment with Loop’s objectives and standards.
• Collaborate with other team members to conduct user testing and to design and roll out communications materials.

Training and Technical Support

• Provide technical support and guidance to a number of Moderators on best practices for community and stakeholder engagement.
• Attend and contribute to regular training and webinars offered by the Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) Network to stay updated on best practices.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL)

In collaboration with the User Experience and Quality Assurance Lead:

• Track and report on key partnership and community engagement metrics to assess the reach and impact of Loop’s platform within Somali communities.
• Document insights and trends from partner feedback to contribute to continuous learning and adaptation of engagement strategies.
• Contribute qualitative and quantitative data for periodic and ad hoc reports, highlighting community needs, emerging issues, and the impact of engagement initiatives.
• Collaborate with the global team to identify areas for improvement in community and organisations engagement strategies based on feedback trends and impact data.

Necessary Skills and Experience

• Fluency in Maxatiri (Spoken and written) and fluency in at least one of the other local languages (Maay, Barawani, Mushunguli/Kizigua, Tuni, Jiido, etc).
• Strong written and spoken English.
• Proven experience in stakeholder engagement, community engagement, protection, Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP), and partnership management.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to convey information effectively to diverse audiences.
• Solid understanding of Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA), Gender-Based Violence (GBV), and Child Protection (CP) principles.
• Experience in team management with demonstrated leadership abilities to guide and support team members.
• Training and Networking Skills; demonstrated ability todesign and deliver impactful training sessions, coupled with proven expertisein building and maintaining professional networks to drive collaboration andengagement
• Strong network and understanding of the local humanitarian and development context.
• Articulate communication skills adaptable to diverse audiences.
• Proactive problem-solving and initiative-taking abilities.
• Proficiency in using digital tools such as smartphones, computers, and communication platforms.
• Cultural sensitivity, with demonstrated experience working in diverse, cross-cultural settings.

Person Attributes

• Demonstrates cultural sensitivity and empathy in interactions.
• Exhibits professionalism, integrity, and discretion in handling sensitive information.
• Collaborative team member with a commitment to Loop's mission and values.
• Adaptable and resilient in navigating complex and dynamic environments.
• Strives for continuous learning and improvement in all aspects of work.

Note

As the Partnerships and Community Engagement Lead for Loop Somalia, you will play a key role in shaping community relationships and strengthening humanitarian and development partnerships. By building connections with local organisations and fostering inclusive community engagement, you will help empower communities to safely share their feedback, ensuring that their voices are heard and their experiences valued. This position is ideal for a candidate passionate about community empowerment, advocacy, and partnership-building who can communicate with empathy and respect while upholding the highest standards of inclusivity and cultural sensitivity. Your efforts will contribute to greater transparency, accountability, and impactful change within Somali communities. Join us in amplifying voices, fostering trust, and driving resilience through meaningful partnerships and collaboration.

Why choose Talk to Loop?

At Loop, we are all about feedback. We have high ambitions and are continually striving to get there, learning from all involved as we go.  We are built on strong principles of Decentralised, Open and Transparent systems. We are exploring how to bring the changes we want to help create in the wider world into our charity.  

If you want to be part of a globally dispersed team, thrive on change and learning, and believe in your core that we can do more if we listen and learn from others, then we would love to hear from you.

The way we work doesn’t suit everyone. But if you’re an enthusiastic person who’s passionate about our mission, and keen for more freedom and autonomy, then we could be a perfect match. We love to see applications from people with transferable skills, who are looking for opportunities to contribute and grow and make a real difference. 

Our Commitment to Inclusion and Safeguarding

Loop is committed to creating an inclusive and safe working environment. As part of our safeguarding policy, all candidates will be required to undergo comprehensive background checks. Roles are dependent on donor funding, and employment will be subject to the continuation of such funding.

We highly encourage applications from diverse backgrounds as such unique experiences and perspectives are invaluable to our mission of shifting power and promoting local agency.

Loop is dedicated to ensuring that our team reflects the communities we serve and supports a culture of equity, inclusion, and respect.

Our Commitment to Collaboration and Wellbeing

At Loop, each team member is entrusted with significant responsibility and is empowered to collaborate with others to achieve the strategic goals of their role, thus contributing to Loop’s overall mission. We believe in fostering a culture of trust, accountability, and mutual respect where everyone's contributions are valued and recognised. We strive to provide an enabling work environment so you can feel safe, supported and empowered in your work. An outstanding work ethic and a commitment to self-care are prerequisites for success at Loop, as we understand that supporting our team members' wellbeing is essential for achieving our goals.

Join Our Mission

If you're passionate about making a meaningful impact and amplifying the voices of communities worldwide, we invite you to join us. Together, we can reimagine accountability, build trust, and create positive change that benefits everyone.

To apply, complete this application form. 

• Pre-employment checks will include references and background verification.
• The deadline for receiving applications is February 20th of 2025. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so candidates are encouraged to apply promptly.Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews.

Talk to Loop's ability to help those in need relies on our staff's professional and ethical conduct. During recruitment, we will ask if you have ever been accused, investigated, or disciplined for misconduct. We understand that allegations can be false, investigations may find no wrongdoing, and some issues may be minor. However, please be transparent about any such matters. Pre-employment checks will be required for the role. Loop is a member of the Misconduct Disclosure Scheme and will request references from former employers.

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