Protection of Family Links Field Officer

CONTEXT 

The Protection of Family Links (PFL) can be broadly defined as the range of families activities aimed at preventing family separation and disappearance of persons, restoring and maintaining contact between family members, reuniting, and contributing to clarifying the fate of persons reported missing.

The ongoing International Armed Conflict in Ukraine that started in February 2022 has generated dire humanitarian needs, including due to separation and disappearance. Although the exact scale of the issue and of the needs are unknown, hundreds of families have been approaching the RCRC Movement in Ukraine and abroad, seeking support.

Additionally, more than 800 people are still reported missing to the ICRC and the URCS as a result of the armed conflict in eastern Ukraine that started in April 2014. Since then, ICRC PFL teams on both sides of the contact line have been working with national and local authorities, Ukrainian Red Cross, and other organizations to search for missing persons, restore family links, and accompany the families.

PURPOSE 

• The PFL Field Officer is part of the Protection team in Odessa. Under the supervision of the PFL Delegate, he/she supports the implementation and monitoring of ICRC PFL activities in ICRC's Odessa area of responsibility;
• Specifically, he/she receives and processes tracing inquiries from families of missing persons, collects tracing requests, undertakes to trace activities to search for missing persons, ensures a proper follow up of the missing cases and family enquirers under his/her responsibility, and supports multidisciplinary assessments of the needs of the families of missing persons and response to them;
• He/she supports the delegation's PFL response in other areas of responsibility, as and when required.

 ACCOUNTABILITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

Tracing and Caseload management - 70%

• Develops and maintains contacts with the families of missing and/or other enquirers understanding their situation, needs, and requests.
• Has in-depth knowledge of the missing caseload, analyzes cases, and proposes follow-ups (cross-departmental/integrated approach);
• Ensures proper filling and Prot6 management of the Missing caseload at the central level, in coordination with the Data Administrator Operator, provides regular updates/analysis of the Missing caseload;
• Provides advice and support on matters both at the Odessa area of responsibility as well as for the sub delegations on matters of compliance with internal Missing cases procedures. Assess and proposes alternative solutions/updates to improve the existing procedures and guidelines.

 Accompaniment for families of missing – 20%

• Supports in the different activities to respond to the different needs of the families of the missing persons (The ICRC direct and indirect services);
• In line with the Mapping and Referral Pathway of Services for the families of missing persons, supports the ICRC Sub Delegations in providing technical guidance regarding the mapping exercise and providing updated information to their beneficiaries;
• Provides advice and support on matters both at the Odessa area of responsibility as well as for the sub delegations on matters of Mapping and Referral Roadmap of Services. Assess and proposes alternative solutions/updates to improve the referral of services;
• Proactively and based on the needs of the Family of the Missing supports families' gathering in Odessa area of responsibility and in Sub Delegations;
• Caseload accompaniment program Family of the Missing: identifies possible referrals to ICRC services, including but not limited to ie Mental Health and Psychological Support, Forensics consultation or external services, referral to other authorities/institutions, in accordance with the need of the Family of the Missing. 

Others - 10%

• Participates in and supports the organization of field trips;
• Participates in external meetings whenever required by the department; 
• Writes field trip reports and minutes of meetings when required;
• Acts as an interpreter during meetings and translates documents whenever needed by the department;
• Arranges and/or conducts meetings if required by the Protection department;
• Receive visitors of the Protection Department;
• Carries out the translation from Ukrainian, Russian to English language or vice-versa of different documents whenever requested by the department. 

 POSITION REQUIREMENTS

  Minimum required knowledge & experience:

• University degree or relevant professional experience;
• Excellent command of English, Ukrainian, and Russian;
• computer literature;
• 3 years' experience in the field of social, political, or economic sciences or similar;
• 1–2 years' experience with the ICRC or another humanitarian agency as an asset;
• Detailed Knowledge of the local area.

 Personal Competencies
 

• Genuine interest to work in the humanitarian sector;
• High level of motivation, and commitment to accuracy;
• Ability to demonstrate flexibility and taking initiative;
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills;
• strong sense of responsibility;
• capacity to adhere to and implement procedures;
• Ability to work methodically with demonstrated analytical skills;
• Strong interpersonal skills and customer service attitude;
• Strong sense of autonomy and responsibility;
• good team player.

 We offer rewarding and enriching work in a humanitarian and international environment, and also:

• Initial training and on-boarding organized;
• Opportunity to work and grow in an international working environment in the humanitarian sector;
• Good working conditions and competitive salary with benefits.

 Starting date: ASAP 

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit your CV, along with your motivation letter in English and salary expectations to the attention of the Human Resources Department:

 Deadline for applications:  20/08/2022