Kenya Medical Research Institute is hiring a Community Liaison Officer to build relationships with local communities and support research activities. The role is based in Turkana and experience in community engagement is required.

Responsibilities or duties

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead community entry processes for the SHIELD study, ensuring all protocols for engaging both refugee and host-community leadership are respected.
• Act as the primary Secretariat to the SHIELD Community Advisory Board (CAB), coordinating monthly meetings and ensuring community concerns are integrated into study implementation.
• Engage with County officials, community leaders, local stakeholders, refugee representatives, and households to enhance awareness and promote community participation in SHIELD study activities in accordance with study and community protocols.
• Support the qualitative research teams in organizing, mobilizing, and identifying participants for Focus Group Discussions, Photovoice workshops, and Body Mapping sessions.
• Provide cultural orientation and guidance to the multidisciplinary research team (epidemiologists, entomologists, etc.) to ensure respectful interactions in the field.
• Monitor community perceptions of the study and proactively manage expectations regarding project deliverables and participant reimbursements.
• Ensure that informed consent processes are culturally appropriate and that participants fully understand their rights and the study’s objectives.
• Collaborate with local Community Health Promoters (CHPs) to integrate SHIELD early-warning protocols into existing community health structures.
• Support the dissemination of research findings back to the community through town hall meetings and radio talk shows in local languages.
• Assist in identifying and mitigating security or operational risks related to community dynamics or climate-related disruptions

Qualifications

• Diploma in Social Sciences, Community Development, Community Health, Sociology, Anthropology, or a related field. Mandatory
• Minimum of three years’ active experience in community liaison and engagement, specifically within pastoralist or refugee-hosting settings. One (1) years’ experience in a humanitarian setup will be an added advantage. Added Advantage
• Proven ability to navigate complex governance structures, including Refugee Affairs Secretariat (RAS), MOH, and UNHCR protocols. Mandatory
• Fluency in Kiswahili and English is mandatory. Strong proficiency in the Turkana language is highly preferred. Mandatory
• Willing to work and reside in Kakuma/Kalobeyei. Mandatory
• Experience in facilitating Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and participatory research methods (e.g., body mapping, photovoice). Mandatory
• Strong conflict resolution skills and the ability to build consensus among diverse stakeholders. Skills & Competencies
• Communication skills Skills & Competencies
• Team player Skills & Competencies

• Lead community entry processes for the SHIELD study, ensuring all protocols for engaging both refugee and host-community leadership are respected.
• Act as the primary Secretariat to the SHIELD Community Advisory Board (CAB), coordinating monthly meetings and ensuring community concerns are integrated into study implementation.
• Engage with County officials, community leaders, local stakeholders, refugee representatives, and households to enhance awareness and promote community participation in SHIELD study activities in accordance with study and community protocols.
• Support the qualitative research teams in organizing, mobilizing, and identifying participants for Focus Group Discussions, Photovoice workshops, and Body Mapping sessions.
• Provide cultural orientation and guidance to the multidisciplinary research team (epidemiologists, entomologists, etc.) to ensure respectful interactions in the field.
• Monitor community perceptions of the study and proactively manage expectations regarding project deliverables and participant reimbursements.
• Ensure that informed consent processes are culturally appropriate and that participants fully understand their rights and the study’s objectives.
• Collaborate with local Community Health Promoters (CHPs) to integrate SHIELD early-warning protocols into existing community health structures.
• Support the dissemination of research findings back to the community through town hall meetings and radio talk shows in local languages.
• Assist in identifying and mitigating security or operational risks related to community dynamics or climate-related disruptions

• Strong conflict resolution skills and the ability to build consensus among diverse stakeholders.
• Communication skills
• Team player

• Diploma in Social Sciences, Community Development, Community Health, Sociology, Anthropology, or a related field. Mandatory
• Minimum of three years’ active experience in community liaison and engagement, specifically within pastoralist or refugee-hosting settings. One (1) years’ experience in a humanitarian setup will be an added advantage. Added Advantage
• Proven ability to navigate complex governance structures, including Refugee Affairs Secretariat (RAS), MOH, and UNHCR protocols. Mandatory
• Fluency in Kiswahili and English is mandatory. Strong proficiency in the Turkana language is highly preferred. Mandatory
• Willing to work and reside in Kakuma/Kalobeyei. Mandatory
• Experience in facilitating Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and participatory research methods (e.g., body mapping, photovoice). Mandatory