Community Engagement Assistant – Accepting Others Organisation, Iraq

Organisation Description

Accepting Others Organisation (AOO) is a non-governmental, non-profit, and non-religious organisation founded in 2014, operating across Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. Led by women and youth, AOO is dedicated to promoting and protecting human rights, with a particular emphasis on the rights, safety, and empowerment of women. The organisation is committed to fostering peace, coexistence, and social cohesion, and actively supports frameworks such as INAP II, UNSCR 1325, UNSCR 2250, and the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda. Additionally, AOO assists in policy development aimed at ensuring gender equality, social justice, and political participation, striving to build an inclusive and just society.

Project Scope

The "Community Engagement for Good Governance in Erbil, Iraq" project aims to foster collaboration among all ethno-religious groups to promote inclusive governance. Interns will engage in workshops, discussions, and community outreach, focusing on building trust and understanding across diverse communities.

  • Dialogue Facilitation: Plan, coordinate, and lead 4-6 interactive dialogue sessions with community members from diverse ethno-religious backgrounds. Focus on addressing community concerns, promoting open communication, and fostering inclusive governance.

  • Surveys: Design and distribute surveys to assess community needs, focusing on key issues related to governance, social cohesion, and local challenges. Ensure the survey is accessible to diverse demographic groups, using both digital platforms and in-person outreach when necessary.

  • Participant Engagement: Actively engage with 50-75 community members, ensuring they represent a range of demographics and backgrounds. Gain informed consent from participants and explain how their input will inform the project’s goals and findings.

  • Data Collection and Analysis: Gather qualitative and quantitative data from dialogue sessions and surveys. Organise the data systematically, ensuring all findings are recorded securely and ethically, in accordance with the organisation’s information storage policy.

  • Final Forum Organisation: Coordinate and manage the logistics for a final community forum, aiming to bring together 50-100 attendees, including community leaders and stakeholders. Prepare the venue, coordinate presentations, and manage event schedules.

  • Presentation and Reporting Preparation: Develop 2-3 presentations based on findings from the dialogue sessions and surveys. These presentations will serve as a foundation for the final forum, allowing stakeholders to understand key insights and challenges raised during the project.

  • Collaboration and Communication: Work closely with team members and community stakeholders to ensure effective communication throughout the project. Ensure all participants are informed of timelines, objectives, and their roles in the sessions and surveys.

Project Outcomes

  • Organising and documenting at least three community dialogue sessions, ensuring participation from at least 30 individuals representing diverse ethno-religious groups.

  • Collecting and analysing data from 50 completed surveys on community needs and challenges.

  • Presenting the findings from the surveys and dialogue sessions in a brief report that summarises key community concerns.

  • Preparing at least two presentations and coordinating logistics for the final forum.

  • Creating a summary report, detailing key insights and 2-4 actionable recommendations, and producing a 2-page document for organisational review.

Internship Requirements

  • Communication Skills: Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to facilitate discussions and present findings clearly.

  • Research Skills: Experience or willingness to conduct research, including collecting and analysing data through surveys or interviews.

  • Teamwork: Ability to work collaboratively with diverse groups of people, including community members, stakeholders, and project team members.

  • Cultural Awareness: Sensitivity to cultural differences and experience working with or an interest in working with diverse, underrepresented communities.

  • Organisational Skills: Strong planning and organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and responsibilities effectively.

  • Ethics and Confidentiality: Commitment to ethical practices in data collection and maintaining confidentiality of sensitive information, following organisational guidelines.

  • Technological Proficiency: Competent with digital tools, including survey platforms, word processing, and presentation software.