WPE Psychosocial Support Officer at International Rescue Committee (IRC)

Employment Category: Fixed Term

Employment Type: Full-Time

Open to Expatriates: No

Location: Monguno, Nigeria

Job Description

Job Overview/Summary

Under the leadership of the WPE Manager, The WPE Psychosocial Officer will be based in Monguno). He/She will coordinates with WPE Case Management Assistants in responding to the psychosocial needs of GBV survivors and support community sensitization effort that prevent and respond to all forms of GBV in Mongonu, Borno State. The Psychosocial Officer assesses and plans response mechanism that meet the needs of women and children who are affected by GBV.

Major Responsibilities

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

The WPE Psychosocial Officer will be responsible for:

Psychosocial support

• Conduct initial psychosocial counselling with GBV survivors to assess survivors needs and treat survivors with respect, care and always maintain confidentiality
• In collaboration with WPE Case Management Assistants, identify psychosocial needs of survivors and share information with  WPE Manager so as to support survivors to meet their needs
• Work with WPE Case Management Assistants to ensure that survivors’ cases are followed-up and survivors decisions and best interest are prioritized for effective service delivery
• Work closely with the Case Management Officer to capture survivors’ information in the database and use report to advocate for material and psychosocial support for  survivors
• In collaboration with WPE Case Management Assistants, develop and revise work plan that includes list of items and budget needed to meet the psychosocial needs of GBV survivors
• Mentoring
• Develop and conduct trainings and capacity building on Psychosocial service with partners and other sectors within IRC
• Provide capacity building and technical support to team members to improve skills and capacity in the provision of psychosocial service delivery.

Planning and Coordination:

• In collaboration with the prevention team, assist and support community mobilization and sensitization highlighting the importance of psychosocial support to survivors of GBV.
• Plan and coordinate with WPE Case Management Assistants in Mongonu and  ensure survivors psychosocial needs are met
• Coordinate with relevant partners and develop psychosocial strategies that meet different needs of survivors. Advocate with other partners on behalf of  GBV survivors
• Represent the IRC WPE in community meeting as required and maintain positive relationship with Community leaders, Local community structures and groups at various levels.

Other duties:

• Attend and participate in regular team meetings
• Attend trainings as required
• Compile and submit timely reports
• Participate in the development of procurement and spending plans and work plans to ensure the successful implementation of programs and contribute to program proposal development.
• Ensure supplies/resources for GBV prevention activities and other program activities are requested on a timely manner for timely implementation of program activities.
• Any other duties as required

Key Working Relationships

Position Reports to:  WPE Manager  

Indirect/Technical Reporting:

Position directly Supervises: Adolescent girls assistant

Key Internal Contacts: Other sector on referrals

• Country Program: 
• Region/Global:

Key External Contacts:  Community members, and other NGOs staf

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Counselling, Social Work/Social Sciences/Community Development or other related field preferred

Work Experience:

• Community mobilization and training experience in the direct provision of counseling and psychosocial support to survivors of gender based violencwith a reputable organization/civil society organizations, knowledge on how to carry out  one or two craft activities will be an added advantage
• Counseling skills,  including experience working with women and girls preferred

Demonstrated Technical Skills:

• Ability to maintain confidentiality and respect for clients at all times is essential.
• Excellent listening  and observation skills, including ability to create trust, support, respect and interact with survivors of all ages, background and diversity
• Demonstrated commitment to women’s empowerment and protection through  current/ previous  volunteer work in women’s group, girls  clubs  or other relevant experience is an added advantage
• Clear understanding, including demonstrated positive attitudes on gender inequality, and issues surrounding violence against women and girls STRONGLY preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of issues affecting women and girls, including gender based violence
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and respect for clients at all times is essential.
• Ability to lead, train, supervises, facilitate and motivate other GBV staff in their respective tasks in a professional, respectful and supportive manner. 
• 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 communicate in English and local dialects spoken in Northeast Nigeria.
• Ability to write clear and concise reports is required
• Be a Team Player is essential

Demonstrated Managerial/Leadership Competencies:

• Ability to work as a member of a team 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.

Languages: 

• Ability to communicate in English, Hausa and or local dialects spoken in the location

 Computer/Other Tech Requirements:

• Professional competency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint, is required

Ability to Travel: 5% of time if applicable

Standards of Professional Conduct: The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – Code of Conduct.  These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability.  In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Harassment-Free Workplace, Fiscal Integrity, Anti-Retaliation, Combating Trafficking in Persons and several others.

Gender Equality: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances.

 Working Environment

IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.