Community Engagement Associate
International Justice Mission (IJM) is hiring a Community Engagement Associate that builds and sustains relationships with community-based organizations, churches, and faith institutions to advance social justice and protect vulnerable populations. This role facilitates partnerships, equips leaders, and mobilizes grassroots networks to advocate for systemic change and provide trauma-informed support to survivors of violence.
Key Responsibilities
- Conduct outreach and engagement activities to identify and build partnerships with churches, community organizations, and interfaith networks aligned with justice and protection goals.
- Advise and train community and faith leaders on trauma-informed care, justice advocacy, and referral mechanisms to strengthen their role as first responders.
- Oversee the development and dissemination of educational and advocacy materials that promote community-led action and policy reform.
- Examine and reconcile feedback from partners and stakeholders to improve engagement strategies and ensure alignment with organizational goals.
- Sustain a dynamic network of community and church partners through consistent communication, capacity building and collaborative campaigns.
Requirements
- Demonstrated ability to mobilize and engage diverse community and faith-based stakeholders in advocacy, education, and support initiatives.
- Proficient in developing and delivering training and outreach materials tailored to community leaders, congregations, and grassroots organizations.
- Skilled in building and sustaining strategic partnerships across religious institutions, community organizations, and advocacy networks.
- Exceptional communication and facilitation skills, with the ability to explain complex concepts clearly and inspire collective action.
- Strong organizational and analytical abilities to examine feedback, determine needs, and oversee the implementation of community engagement strategies.
Education & Experience
- A bachelor’s degree in social work, counseling, community psychology or related field.
- A minimum of four (4) years’ experience in social work, counseling, including working with survivors of sexual violence or other traumatic experiences. Experience working with child and women survivors of violence preferred.
- Experience establishing networks and partnering with social service providers.
- Demonstrable experience, technical knowledge of trauma and application of trauma-informed approaches within case management and/or clinical interventions.
- Experience in coaching and training.
- Experience working with the Uganda criminal justice system.
- Fluency in the English language both written and spoken is mandatory. Working knowledge of local languages in the region preferred.
Critical Qualities
- Mature Christian faith as defined by the Apostles’ Creed.
- Working knowledge of Gender Based Violence
- Ability to work with survivors of Intimate Partner Violence and Child Sexual Abuse
- Knowledge of social service programming
- Ability to use tools for monitoring and evaluation and data analysis.
- Working knowledge of justice processes
- Ability to form and maintain partnerships
- Knowledge of the problem-solving process in case management
Application Process
Please submit Resume/CV, Cover Letter, and Statement of Faith* in one PDF document to ugandarecruiting@ijm.org by 1600hrs EAT on Friday 14th August 2026 with the subject line APPLICATION COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT ASSOCIATE- GULU. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
