Community Facilitator 1168 views

Location: Banjul, The Gambia, with regular fieldwork across the Greater Banjul Area and Tanbi Wetlands catchment

Reports to: Project Manager, The Gambia

Direct Reports: None

Key Relationships: Project Manager, Country Programme Manager, Director of Programmes, relevant WasteAid colleagues, project participants, community leaders, local authorities, service providers, aggregators, recyclers, and offtakers

Gross Salary: GBP 5,000 per annum (equivalent to approx. GMD 40,000 per month gross)

Contract Duration: One year – full-time, with potential for renewal subject to funding and satisfactory performance

About WasteAid

WasteAid is an international non-governmental organisation that works in low- and middle-income countries to deliver environmental and economic development programmes, with a particular focus on supporting emerging green businesses and grassroots entrepreneurs. Our work improves the livelihoods of some of the poorest and most marginalised people, promotes circular economy innovation, and contributes to a cleaner and healthier future for all.

WasteAid promotes and shares locally appropriate, evidence-based, and inclusive practices, supporting and empowering others to take positive action. We partner with public, private, and community-based organisations in countries where current waste practices are harming the environment, economy, and society.

Context and Programme Summary

WasteAid’s growing portfolio in The Gambia is centred on establishing first-step waste management systems, strengthening plastic recycling value chains, and building an enabling circular economy ecosystem.

This role will initially support Phase 2 of the First Step Resource Management Programme, which aims to reduce plastic waste dumped in and around water sources feeding the Tanbi Wetlands by building local collection and processing capacity; supporting financially sustainable collector enterprises with reliable market linkages; and improving community knowledge and practices on plastic waste disposal.

Expected results include stronger collector groups operating safely and profitably, increased volumes of plastic recovered and sent for recycling, stronger partnerships with municipal and private-sector actors, and measurable improvements in community behaviour.

Job Purpose

The Community Facilitator will support the Project Manager with the day-to-day implementation and administration of nominated projects in The Gambia, initially the First Step Resource Management Programme. The postholder will work directly with collector groups and communities, coordinate field activities and training, maintain project data and documentation, and support stakeholder engagement and project finance processes.

Accountability note: The Project Manager remains accountable for the workplan, budget, donor reporting, partnerships, risk management, and overall project performance. The Community Facilitator supports delivery under the Project Manager’s direction and escalates issues promptly.

Key Tasks & Responsibilities

Project Delivery and Field Coordination

• Workplan Support: Support implementation of the approved workplan by tracking actions and milestones and organising field visits, meetings, training, distributions, and other project activities.
• Participant and Activity Coordination: Mobilise participants, coordinate practical logistics, maintain regular communication with collector groups, and help ensure activities are inclusive, safe, and delivered on time.
• Service Provider Support: Liaise with trainers, consultants, and service providers on schedules and agreed outputs, and promptly flag delays, risks, or quality concerns to the Project Manager.

Collector Group Development and Market Support

• Group Follow-Up: Conduct regular visits to collector groups and provide practical support on group organisation, recordkeeping, safe working practices, collection, sorting, storage, and quality control.
• Training and Coaching: Deliver or co-facilitate agreed training and coaching activities using WasteAid materials and approaches.
• Market and Business Records: Help groups track collection volumes, sales, costs, and income, and support engagement with aggregators, recyclers, and offtakers under the Project Manager’s guidance.

Monitoring, Reporting and Communications

• Data and Evidence: Collect, enter, and check routine project data and maintain complete attendance, activity, distribution, asset, and other verification records.
• Monitoring and Reporting Support: Gather participant feedback and support surveys and assessments; prepare monthly activity updates and provide accurate evidence for donor and internal reporting.
• Communications Content: Capture appropriate field stories, quotations, and photographs, ensuring informed consent, dignity, safeguarding, and data protection.

Stakeholder and Community Engagement

• Field Liaison: Act as a day-to-day field contact for project participants, community leaders, local authorities, and other stakeholders within the authority delegated by the Project Manager.
• Meetings and Awareness Activities: Organise stakeholder meetings and community awareness activities, including logistics, minutes, and follow-up actions.
• Feedback and Concerns: Record and refer community feedback, complaints, safeguarding concerns, and operational issues through the appropriate WasteAid channels.

Finance, Procurement and Resource Support

• Financial Administration: Collect and organise invoices, receipts, cash-advance and reconciliation documentation, and support local procurement by obtaining quotations and maintaining clear records.
• Assets and Materials: Maintain accurate records for PPE, equipment, training materials, and other project assets, and support their safe storage and documented distribution.
• Compliance: Follow WasteAid and donor procedures and promptly report suspected fraud, conflicts of interest, misuse of resources, health and safety risks, or other compliance concerns.

Perform other duties as assigned. The duties and responsibilities listed in this document are representative of the nature and level of work assigned and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Person Specification

Essential

• A diploma or degree in a relevant field, or equivalent practical experience, together with at least two years’ relevant experience supporting field-based NGO, community development, environmental, or related projects.
• Experience working with grassroots communities and coordinating participant mobilisation, training, field logistics, data collection, and activity reporting.
• Experience supporting project administration such as expenses, receipts, procurement, and asset records, with strong organisational, communication, digital, and numerical skills, including Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Fluency in at least one relevant Gambian language, preferably Mandinka and/or Wolof, with good spoken and written English; able to work with limited supervision, escalate risks, travel regularly, and work flexibly.

Desirable

• Experience in waste management, plastics, recycling, livelihoods, environmental programmes, or circular economy initiatives.
• Knowledge of the Greater Banjul Area and Tanbi Wetlands catchment, including community waste systems or local recycling markets.

Core Competencies

• Practical, dependable, delivery-focused, and solution-oriented, with sound judgement, accountability, and attention to detail.
• Respectful, empathetic, collaborative, and adaptable, with the ability to build trust and learn from feedback.
• Strong professional integrity and commitment to WasteAid’s values, safeguarding, inclusion, health and safety, anti-fraud requirements, and data protection.

Guidance for Applicants

To apply, email your CV and a covering letter of no more than two pages explaining your suitability to recruitment@wasteaid.org, using “Community Facilitator – The Gambia” as the subject line.

Deadline for applications: Tuesday, 25 August 2026 – 11:59pm

WasteAid may review and interview candidates before the closing date and may close the vacancy early if sufficient suitable applications are received. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Applicants must have the right to work in The Gambia and be able to travel regularly to project communities.

WasteAid is an equal opportunity employer committed to safeguarding. Any offer is subject to satisfactory references and appropriate pre-employment checks.