Community Engagement Officer Full Time

Introduction

The Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome (MLW) Programme (http://www.mlw.mw) is an internationally recognized centre for research and research training, funded by the Wellcome Trust and an affiliate of the Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS) MLW would like to engage the services of a competent and dynamic individual to join our Institution.

Community Engagement Officer – 1 post, based in Blantyre (initial 12months contract with the possibility of renewal)

Job Summary:

The Communications and Public Engagement Departments implements a series of both programme wide and study specific activities with a core objective of promoting ethical research practice by facilitating dialogue and engagement between researchers, stakeholders, research participants and the wider community. These activities help in building community and public trust in research, thereby creating an enabling environment to conducting research that benefits overall health. In order to achieve these, engagement activities are implemented before, during and at the end of the research project. Main activities include; local leader meetings, community meetings, community debates, community film shows, community advisory groups, science café, community and school exhibitions and stakeholder engagement.

Under the supervision of the Community Engagement Coordinator, the Community Engagement Officer will be responsible for managing and implementing all day-to-day duties related to community engagement.

Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

1. Organise and deliver quarterly meetings with Community Advisory Groups in Chikwawa and Blantyre as well as trainings (once a year and as need arises)

2. Organise and deliver quarterly community meetings with key community leaders and stakeholders.

3. Work with research studies to develop and implement study specific community engagement activities as per study/project requirements before study, during and after studies in collaboration with study teams.

4. Organise and Facilitate programme wide community engagement activities such as community debates, film shows, festivals, community and school exhibitions etc.

5. Support the Community Engagement Coordinator to provide overall professional support to Field Research Assistants working in various studies.

6. Take a lead in maintaining relationships with other stakeholders, including government i.e., Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education) and research partners.

7. Assist other MLW departments in facilitation of events when required.

1. Documentation and M& E

• Preparing monthly Reports as well as specific project reports
• Maintaining clear records of all work done

2. Health and Safety

• Attend all Health and Safety training
• Observe all health and Safety rules and regulations as stipulated by MLW

3. Safeguarding

• Attend safeguarding training and possess comprehensive awareness of the MLW safeguarding policy.

Requirements

Qualifications and Experience

• Minimum of a Diploma in Community Development, Arts or Humanities, Education or Communication. Those with a bachelor’s degree will have an added advantage.

Personal Specifications

• Computer literacy i.e., Microsoft word, basic excel, virtual communication platforms i.e., Microsoft Teams
• Good oral presentation skills
• Good report writing skills
• Fluent in Chichewa and English (speaking and writing)
• Able to communicate effectively with both local and international stakeholders
• Ability to understand and demonstrate awareness and sensitivity to different cultural norms.
• Efficient and well organized, with excellent attention to detail.
• Enthusiastic and able to work under pressure and to deadlines.
• Ability to be flexible and adaptable to changing situations and workload.
• Good financial accountability.
• Experience of working with rural and urban communities

For more detailed information of the job, please visit the MLW website, www.mlw.mw .

Remuneration and Benefits

MLW offers an attractive remuneration package which includes a competitive salary package commensurate with the position, a medical aid scheme, 24 hours insurance cover, pension scheme, gratuity benefits redeemable once every year, among others.

MLW also offers opportunities such as scholarships, upgrading and training opportunities to employees. These are based on successful job performance and other set criteria.

MLW recognises its responsibility in safeguarding and protecting communities, research participants and patients. Please note that successful candidates will be requested to undergo a safeguarding check prior to appointment and at regular time points during employment.

Suitably qualified candidates should forward their applications with copies of relevant certificates, 3 contactable referees and a detailed CV to this email vacancies@mlw.mw.

Please indicate the position title and your name as the heading of your email. Hand-delivered applications will not be processed.

To arrive no later than 14 April 2023, only short-listed candidates will be acknowledged.