Community Engagement

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About the Organization

Sauramandala Foundation is an NGO founded in 2018 with a vision to bring about systemic change in the lives of remote communities through empathetic, collaborative, and contextual solutions that are co-created with the communities themselves.

Job Description

The Manager - Community Engagement will be pivotal in cultivating strong relationships between the CMYC centres, local communities, and various stakeholders. This role will focus on building and sustaining meaningful partnerships with community leaders, educational institutions, local youth, NGOs, and government bodies, ensuring that the CMYC centres truly reflect and address the community’s needs.

The Lead will work across multiple centres in Meghalaya, overseeing the design and implementation of community programs, organizing regular events, and driving adolescents and youth participation in Self-Designed Learning, Sports, Libraries and cultural activities. Moreover, the role involves supporting the young team at the centres (Field Level team), developing a cohesive community outreach and engagement strategies, ensuring that all programs are culturally relevant and impactful.

Job Responsibilities

Program Development & Implementation

• Community Program Design: Collaborate with Centre Level team and local stakeholders to design programs that are tailored to the community's needs, emphasizing skills development, innovation, and problem-solving. Programs may include life skills workshops, health awareness sessions, sports events, and cultural activities.
• Facilitation of Gatherings: Organize community circles, town hall/Durbar meetings, and focus groups that engage community members, gather feedback, and foster collaborative discussions about CMYC programs. Ensure that these meetings are inclusive, providing a platform for diverse voices within the community, especially marginalized groups.
• Monitoring Program Alignment: Ensure that the initiatives implemented across the CMYCs align with both Self-Directed Learning (SDL) principles and the specific needs of the community. Regularly assess how well programs meet goals related to youth development, entrepreneurship, and digital inclusion.
• Youth Empowerment Programs: Lead the design of programs and implementation that empower adolescents and youth to take leadership roles within the CMYC spaces, encouraging them to lead community-driven problem-solving activities.
• Innovative and Localized Solutions: Prioritise the development of locally relevant programs that integrate traditional knowledge and cultural practices into the broader learning framework. For example, involve local artisans, craftsmen, and elders in workshops on traditional arts, crafts, or storytelling.
• Build initiatives based on the values of the respective communities to manifest stronger bonding & collective action

Community Engagement & Partner Collaborations

• Outreach Strategy Development: Develop a comprehensive community outreach strategy that is responsive to the socio-cultural context of each Centre. This strategy should include initiatives for engaging parents, schools, community leaders, and local youth groups.
• Partner Collaboration: Establish strong working relationships with a wide array of partners, including local NGOs, educational institutions, health centres, and government bodies. These partnerships should help deliver essential programs related to health, education, and entrepreneurship.
• Engagement with Local Schools and NGOs: Collaborate with schools and youth-focused NGOs to enhance the synergy between formal education and SDL practices. Facilitate partnerships for co-hosting workshops or youth camps.
• Community Mobilization Support: Work closely with youth facilitators and field staff to help them develop effective community mobilization techniques. Provide them with guidance and support as they implement village-level activities, outreach efforts, and youth-led projects.

Activity Coordination & Event Planning

• Event Management: Plan and coordinate community events, youth festivals, sports tournaments, cultural showcases, and workshops across the CMYC centres. These events should promote social cohesion, teamwork, and a sense of belonging within the community.
• Activity Calendar: Develop and maintain an annual calendar of community activities, campaigns, and programs, ensuring that all events are well-coordinated across the CMYC network. Align these activities with local festivals, school calendars, and farming schedules to ensure maximum participation.
• Documentation and Communication: Work closely with the communications team to ensure that key learnings, community stories, and program highlights are documented and shared. This includes creating content that showcases the impact of the CMYC programs on the community.

Budget & Resource Management

• Budget Oversight: Develop, manage, and monitor budgets for all community engagement activities. Ensure that resources are allocated effectively and utilized in a manner that maximizes program impact.
• Efficient Resource Use: Ensure optimal utilization of both human and financial resources, making adjustments as necessary to accommodate evolving community needs. Keep track of program expenses and maintain accurate financial records for community-based activities.
• Grant and Resource Mobilization: Work with the CMYC leadership team to identify opportunities for grant applications, resource mobilization, or partnerships that can provide additional funding or in-kind resources to support community-based initiatives.

Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting

• Program Evaluation: Design tools and methods to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of community engagement activities. Use surveys, focus group discussions, and participant feedback to gauge the impact of programs and identify areas for improvement.
• Data Collection & Reporting: Ensure that all program-related data, including attendance, participation rates, and feedback, is collected accurately and reported to the leadership team. Prepare monthly reports that summarise key program outcomes, successes, and areas of concern.
• Storytelling & Impact Sharing: Coordinate with the communications team to capture and share community stories, case studies, and testimonials from the field, highlighting the transformative impact of CMYC programs on the lives of adolescents and the community at large.

Capacity Building & Mentorship

• Field Team Support: Provide mentorship to Community Fellows and other field teams, helping them build capacity in areas such as life skills facilitation, leadership development, and community mobilization. Regularly conduct training sessions, and create opportunities for facilitators to share best practices and learn from each other.
• Facilitating Peer Learning Circles: Organize monthly peer learning circles where Field level teams can share their experiences, discuss challenges, and exchange innovative ideas on community engagement and program implementation.
• Empower Local Champions: Identify and cultivate local youth leaders who can take up roles in community development and youth outreach. Guide them in developing skills that allow them to mentor younger members, lead events, and manage programs.

Education Qualification/Required Skills & Experience

• Experience: Minimum of 6-9 years of experience, with a core involvement of a minimum 3-4 years in rural community development, community mobilization, or youth engagement, with a preference for experience in North East India or Meghalaya.
• Leadership: Demonstrated experience in leading teams (minimum 20 people) in both fieldwork and programmatic roles.
• Project Management: Ability to design and implement multiple initiatives simultaneously, including coordinating with partners, facilitating events, and ensuring high-quality program delivery.
• Cultural Sensitivity: Strong understanding of the cultural dynamics of the region, with the ability to adapt programs to local customs and practices.
• Reporting & Communication: Experience in writing comprehensive program reports and effectively communicating with stakeholders at different levels, from community members to government representatives.
• Analytical Skills: Ability to analyze program data, feedback, and engagement metrics to refine strategies and improve community outcomes.

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