CARE is a leading global humanitarian and development organization. Since its establishment in 2005, CARE International in Pakistan (CIP) has been responding to major disasters and undertaking an array of development projects. CIP works through its local partners and a range of stakeholders for development, as well as emergency response related interventions, which makes collaboration a key component of its work, across the country. Health and education, with particular focus on women, are some of CARE’s core identified program areas in Pakistan, as part of its Long-Range Strategic Plan.

Under the initiative of Mars Food, CARE International in Pakistan is implementing a three-year project, “Improving Seasonal Rice Workers’ Conditions, Human Capital and Resilience – Sustainable Scale-up Initiative” in three rice-growing districts of Punjab, Pakistan namely Sheikhupura, Narowal and Nankana Sahib, to sustainably address child labor root causes in the rice value chain. The project is being implemented in three bundles of interventions that have been proven to positively contribute in addressing the identified root causes of child labor in Punjab as well as empower the rice planter’s community to make them self-reliant in the face of tough economic situations (i.e., economic poverty, low human capital (education/skills, healthcare), lack of alternatives for safe childcare during work hours, and seasonal/migratory nature of transplanting work). These interventions primarily compose of establishment of mother day-care centers and formation of Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) at the community level.

I.     Summary

CARE International in Pakistan requires the services of a Community Mobilizer. The incumbent will coordinate VSLA based in Sheikhupura, Narowal and Nankana Sahib and engage, mentor and facilitate the communities for organization and establishment of community level organizations (VSLAs) under the Mars Food funded project. This is a field based position (may be located in Sheikhupura, Narowal or Nankana Sahab). Position holder will travel between the locations on his/her own.

II.   Job Responsibility

• Develop monthly work-plan of activities and share it with the project manager for input, feedback and approval.
• Community Mobilizer will support the project team in mentoring the 30 VSLAs in three districts of Punjab. Districts are Sheikhupura, Nankana Sahab and Narowal. There are 10 VSLAs per district. This will primarily be achieved through selection and training of the village agents and management committees of VSLAs.
• Position holder will regularly coordinate with VSLAs and provide advice and support to make it a sustainable structure.
• In collaboration with community stakeholders, identify project beneficiaries (VSLAs members) for business management and VSLA operations training
• Position holder will support in conducting trainings on institutional development, business management and entrepreneurial excellence.
• Provide mentorship and coaching to the project beneficiaries (VSLA members).
• Regularly visit the VSLAs, organize initial meetings and make them aware on how to conduct weekly, monthly meetings
• Guide the village agents to learn record keeping of their transactions and how to run VSLA operations smoothly.

III.   Qualification

a) Education

Required:  

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.

b) Experience

• A minimum of at least 3 years’ professional experience in community mobilization and organization.
• Operational experience in targeted locations for at least 3 years in either two of the operations districts
• Previous experience of working on similar assignment.
• Knowledge of VSLA methodology or working with MFI/ MFP will be a plus.
• Working with multi-disciplinary teams and stakeholders
• Experience of working with the donor funded projects, NGOs or INGOs will be preferred

c) Competencies

• Effective communication and good interpersonal skills
• Strong leadership abilities with good time management skills
• Fluency in spoken Punjabi language is desired to coordinate with the rice planter’s communities in addition to the basic level of spoken as well as written English language for reporting purposes

IV.   Contacts/Key Relationships 

The Community Mobilizer is expected to collaborate with the program team, Partners, Communities and all relevant stakeholders on related functional affairs, consistently coordinate and team up to achieve the desired project activities.

V.  DUTY STATION AND LEVEL OF TRAVEL REQUIRED

The individual will be based in either of the three areas Narowal, Nankana Sahib or Sheikupura with frequent travel to other project areas.

CARE International in Pakistan is an equal opportunity employer; only individuals who are shortlisted will be contacted for an interview. CARE has a zero-tolerance approach toward sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, and child abuse.

Note: Individuals can apply using Brightspyre or send their resumes directly to [email protected] clearly mentioning the position title in the subject line of the email, before the stated deadline. Please share your current as well as salary expectation along with the CV. 

Women are highly encouraged to apply.