Community Research Facilitator-4

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

Key Key Responsibilities

Participant recruitment and consent

• Support community sensitization sessions and assist the Community Advisory Group and research team in identifying and recruiting study participants across the five community groups

• Conduct informed consent and assent processes in Dinka using study-approved consent forms, ensuring that all participants genuinely understand the study before agreeing to take part

• Administer session-level consent forms at the beginning of each community circle and cross-group session

Photography orientation and support

• Lead camera and phone orientation sessions, training participants in basic device use and the ethical principles of photography in their community

• Conduct check-in contacts with photographers during the 7–10 day photography period, providing support and troubleshooting

• Manage secure collection, storage, and handover of cameras and phones between sessions

Discussion facilitation

• Facilitate group photo discussion sessions (called community circles and cross-group dialogue sessions) using the SHOWeD method (What do you see? What is really happening? How does this relate to our lives? Why does this exist? What can we do?)

• Create and maintain a safe, respectful, and non-directive group environment where all participants feel free to contribute

• Manage group dynamics and power imbalances, including supporting quieter voices and gently redirecting dominant ones

Cross-group dialogue facilitation

• Support or co-facilitate the cross-group dialogue sessions, ensuring structured equal participation from all community groups

• Help surface convergences and tensions between groups’ framings without prematurely resolving disagreements

Data collection and recording

• Audio-record all group sessions with participant permission, using study-provided equipment

• Take detailed field notes during and immediately after each session, capturing key themes, notable exchanges, and observations about group dynamics

• Contribute to the master photo log by linking images to participant codes and session notes

• Transfer recordings and materials to the Research Officer following the study’s data security protocols

• Transcribe and translate recordings from local language to English

Safeguarding and referrals

• Recognize signs of distress, coercion, or disclosure of violence during sessions and respond according to the study’s trauma-informed protocols

• Implement the study’s referral pathway to connect participants with SGBV, counselling, or health services when needed

• Maintain group confidentiality norms and reinforce these at the start of every session

Essential qualifications and experience

• Degree in public health, social science, social work, community development, nursing, psychology, education, or a related field. Advanced degree preferred.

• Fluency in Dinka (spoken); English literacy required for field notes and reporting

• Minimum 4 years of experience in community engagement, health promotion, qualitative data collection, or facilitation of group processes

• Preference highly for participatory methodology

• Demonstrated experience working with women and/or vulnerable community groups in South Sudan or a similar context

• Familiarity with the study communities and local social structures, including clan dynamics and community leadership

• Experience working on reproductive health, gender-based violence, or women’s empowerment preferred

• Prior experience with photovoice, participatory action research, or visual methods

• Experience with qualitative data collection tools including audio recorders and tablets

Essential competencies

• Facilitation skills e.g. Ability to facilitate open-ended, non-directive group discussions

• Trauma-awareness: Understanding of trauma-informed principles and ability to recognize signs and implement referral pathways with discretion

• Gender sensitivity: Deep understanding of gender dynamics in the study context

• Ethical conduct: have undergone Human Subjects Research Ethics training (e.g. NIH, CITI, or equivalent)

• Cultural competence: Ability to adapt research methods to locally meaningful norms without distorting the research intent

• Confidentiality: Rigorous adherence to data protection and confidentiality

• Consistent, timely field note-taking, audio recording, and data handover according to protocol

STANDARDS OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT:

• The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way Standards for Professional Conduct.  These are Integrity, Service, Accountability and Equality.  In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

• Safeguarding policy: The IRC has a zero-tolerance policy for safeguarding violations by staff, incentive workers, visitors, sub-grantees, suppliers/sub-contractors, and implementing partners. Safeguarding at the IRC is an integral to organizational values and ethics, and staff and associates are expected to take all reasonable steps to prevent the sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment of any person linked to the program by both its employees and any downstream partner. The successful candidate will be subject to a thorough background check and satisfactory references.

• Narrowing the Gender Gap:The International Rescue Committee is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including a flexible hour (when possible), maternity leave, transportation support, and gender-sensitive security protocols

• Equal Opportunity Employer: IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants because of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws

PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS

All International Rescue Committee workers must adhere to the core values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. Our Standards are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Safeguarding, Conflicts of Interest, Fiscal Integrity, and Reporting Wrongdoing and Protection from Retaliation. IRC is committed to take all necessary preventive measures and create an environment where people feel safe, and to take all necessary actions and corrective measures when harm occurs. IRC builds teams of professionals who promote critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity to deliver the best possible services to our clients.

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Why Choose the IRC?

Work that has meaning: Every day at the IRC is a chance to make a difference through a purpose-driven career. Whether you're working directly with communities or providing support behind the scenes, you will be part of a dynamic team that is always innovating, scaling, and testing new and better solutions to ensure the best possible outcomes for the people we serve.

Global scale, dynamic workplace: At the IRC, we believe that the dynamic, global make-up of our team is our strength. When you join us, you're not just starting a job—you will be part of a global organization positively impacting millions of lives in over 40 get to work with colleagues from all around the world—working across time zones and regularly exchanging different ideas, perspectives and insights. You’ll join a team that is dedicated to fostering a supportive environment to create a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and heard.  

Challenging work, innovative solutions: We’re committed to excellence and innovation, and pride ourselves in setting industry-leading standards while practicing evidence and data-lead strategies. Come challenge norms, shatter conventions, and pioneer change while working on real, nuanced and complex issues we face in the world today.  

Community centered: We’re an empathetic community that truly cares for one another. Our comprehensive safety and security initiatives ensure a safe work environment, while our continuous learning and development programs provide ongoing opportunities for personal and career advancement.

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Our Typical Recruitment Process

The interview process typically includes three rounds, though the number may vary depending on the role and level of seniority. It usually begins with a conversation with our recruiting team to learn more about you and your goals. This is followed by an interview with a hiring manager or business stakeholder to explore your background and provide more insight into the role. The final round focuses on assessing your role-specific expertise and may be conducted as a panel interview to evaluate your cross-functional strengths. Before extending an offer, we generally conduct reference checks, and after an offer is made, a standard background check is completed. While we strive for consistency, the process may differ based on the role, business unit, location, job type, legal requirements, and other factors.

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