Protection Caseworker

Background:

International Medical Corps is a global, humanitarian, nonprofits organisation dedicated to saving lives and relieving suffering through health care training and relief and development programs. Established in 1984 by volunteer doctors and nurses, International Medical Corps is a private, voluntary, non-political, nonsectarian organisation. Its mission is to improve the quality of life through health interventions and related activities that build local capacity in underserved communities worldwide. By offering training and health care to local populations and medical assistance to people at highest risk, and with the flexibility to respond rapidly to emergency situations, International Medical Corps rehabilitates devastated health care systems and helps bring them back to self-reliance. In Mariupol IMC has been implementing OFDA funded project.

Position: Protection Caseworker

Category: Professional Level - Local Staff

Accountable To: Psychologist

Job title of persons supervised: N/A

Work Location: Mariupol

Travel: Required

Salary: Competitive as Per Organisation Scale

Type of Employment: Fixed Term Contract

JOB SUMMARY

The Protection Caseworker provides direct support and case management to vulnerable individuals, youth and older persons in addition to outreach and community mobilization efforts in the areas of operation of child protection (CP) and psychosocial support (PSS) programming across field site locations within government-controlled areas of Donetsk Oblast.

This position is also responsible for supervising and building the capacity of a team of community outreach volunteers.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Protection Case Worker duties and responsibilities include providing support to current program and program implementation and development of sufficient materials

This position is also responsible for supervising and building the capacity of a team of community outreach volunteers. Main functions of the case worker activities include:

Case Management

· Provide direct support and individual case management services to vulnerable adults and children, including survivors of gender-based violence.

· Mobilize and register activity participants, facilitate structured group sessions using available guidance, create support group plans, and facilitate mid-point and final group evaluations for monitoring and reporting.

Community Outreach and Mobilization

· Maintain regular contact with community outreach workers to ensure a constant flow of information and feedback.

· Assist in service mapping of psychosocial and protection service providers.

· Identify and engage protection and psychosocial service providers and experts in the target communities to promote participation of community in activities.

Risk Mitigation Activities

· In close collaboration with community outreach workers conduct regular safety assessments to identify key risks faced by women and girls within their community.

· Support community outreach workers and other community members in developing key messages and strategies to address and/or mitigate risks faced by women and girls.

· Facilitate referral of identified needs to humanitarian organizations and other service providers, ensuring follow up and feedback to the community.

Community Outreach Workers

· Assist in the identification and recruitment of community outreach workers amongst the IDP and host communities.

· Assist in the development of capacity building plans for community outreach workers to provide them with critical skills around safety assessment, psychosocial support, protection and leadership.

· Organize and co-facilitate trainings of community outreach workers.

· Provide on the job support to community outreach workers.

· Organize regular planning and reporting meetings with community outreach workers and gather feedback on community mobilization activities on a regular basis.

Psychosocial Activities

· Organize, facilitate, and monitor psychosocial activities for children and youth, parents, adult women and older persons at community-based safe spaces.

· Identify communities with psychosocial needs and make recommendations for the provision of psychosocial activities in priority locations.

· Disseminate information at the community level about the purpose and importance of psychosocial activities and support

· Disseminate information about psychological wellbeing including stress management, positive coping and self-care within target communities.

· Development of IEM (Informative Educative Materials) under supervision of MHPSS Technical Specialist, Psychologist and Senior Capacity Building Officer

Monitoring and Reporting

· Support tracking of beneficiaries using agreed M&E tools.

· Participate in weekly reporting and planning meetings to ensure adherence to standards of care and reporting requirements are followed.

· Maintain updated case management records and participate in routine supervision support sessions.

· Participate in routine reporting and planning meetings to ensure adherence to standards of care, quality case management, and reporting requirements are followed.

· Other ad-hoc duties as required by supervisors

QUALIFICATIONS

Required:

· At least one year experience working or volunteering in direct contact with community members

· Fluency in English, Ukrainian and Russian languages is required.

· Ability to engage with community members in an open manner, maintain confidentiality and respect.

· Clear understanding of gender inequality, and issues surrounding violence

· Ability to maintain confidentiality and respect for clients at all times essential.

· Positive and professional attitude, able to organize, maintain composure and prioritize work under pressure, work overtime when necessary and be able to coordinate multiple tasks and maintain attention to detail.

· Ability to work as a member of a team essential.

· Commitment to upholding the Safeguarding Policy, as well as principles of do no harm and confidentiality.

Preferred:

· INGO or NGO experience

· Experience working with population in the field locations, affected communities

· Degree/diploma in Social Work, Community Mobilization, Public Health or other related field

· Skilled at using basic computer programs - Microsoft Word and Excel

How to Apply:

Qualified individuals should submit their applications as soon as possible. A complete cover letter and resume in English, copy of diploma and three references in Ukrainian, English or Russian that can confirm the required qualifications and experience should be included in the application. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for the interview.

IMC is an equal opportunity organisation that strives for diversity and employs qualified personnel without regard to gender, race, physical disability, religion.