Build Change (www.buildchange.org) is an award-winning, international non-profit social enterprise that designs earthquake-resistant houses and trains homeowners, builders, engineers and local government officials to build them. To date in Haiti, Build Change has provided technical assistance to over 1,500 families who have safely retrofit or rebuilt their home, impacting more than 7,300 people. Build Change has also trained 4,300 homeowners, 2,500 builders and 140 engineers in earthquake-resistant construction practices.

Build Change is looking for a Community Outreach Officer. The Community Outreach Officer will play a critical role in increasing community awareness and building public support for changing construction practices in Haiti to ones that are earthquake-resistant. Most of the outreach activities will be specifically devoted to low-income residents and builders living and working in informal, marginalized neighborhoods.
The Community Outreach Officer will support the implementation of homeowner-driven housing retrofitting and reconstruction project. They are responsible for raising public awareness about safe construction practices and supporting the community mobilization activities undertaken by partner agencies. Specific duties include:

• Work with engineering and training teams to revise and develop messages for safe construction, including images, posters, flyers, etc.
• Implement a Train-the-Trainer program that teaches community members about safe construction practices
• Recruit volunteers from the community to participate in the Train-the-Trainer program
• Meet with homeowners to explain safe construction practices using image-based messages and other educational tools
• Develop new marketing and educational tools to encourage safe construction practices
• Monitor and report on results from the Train-the-Trainer program, homeowner meetings and other program activities
• Build strong relationships with community leaders, formal and informal community-based organizations, partner organizations, government representatives (CASEC, municipal and national level) and the construction-related sector
• Organize and sponsor community involvement activities, such as focus groups and round table discussions to vet and distribute marketing and educational tools.
• Support partner organizations’ community mobilization efforts as required
• Identify subjects for case studies and success stories and assist in writing these stories
• Report on activities on a weekly and monthly basis
• Other tasks as needed

• University diploma or equivalent in Communications, Marketing or Public Relations
• Minimum 2 years’ experience in Communications, Marketing or Public Relations
• Demonstrated experience in community mobilization and/or training
• Willingness to work in informal neighborhoods, spending most days with homeowners and community members
• Excellent communication skills with an ability to explain basic concepts to illiterate individuals
• Experience implementing Train-the-Trainer programs is a strong plus
• Understanding of safe construction practices
• Proficiency with email, the Internet, Excel, Word and other Office applications
• Experience taking photographs for marketing, communications and reporting purposes
• Ability to work independently with limited direct supervision
• Willingness to work flexible hours, including some evenings and some Saturdays
• Fluency in written and spoken French and Creole required, English is a plus
• Familiarity with or previous experience working in the construction sector a strong plus
• Graphic design skills, including Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator, a plus
• Previous experience with non-profit organizations a plus

Submit a cover letter and resume via email to: buildchangejobs@gmail.com

Place the words “Community Outreach Officer” in the subject line.