Women Protection and Empowerment (WPE) Case Worker at International Rescue Committee (IRC)

Locations: MMC/Jere, Borno

Scope of Work

• The Case Worker will provide psychosocial support, basic case management support to survivors of gender-based violence through individual counselling follow up support, referrals and dissemination of information on available GBV services to encourage access to services.
• She/he will in collaboration with the Response Officer oversee provision of psychosocial /group support, skills building, information sessions and other recreational activities that promotes social support networks and cohesion with women and girls at the women and girls centres/safe spaces

Major Responsibilities
The responsibilities of the Case Worker include but are not limited to the following:

• GBV Case Management:
  • Provide direct support and care for adult and child survivors of gender-based violence, including counseling and basic case management. Case management services will include:
  • Assessment of needs of clients
  • Developing an action plan with clients
  • Implementing the plan with clients
  • Provide physical accompaniment to GBV survivors if requested to access medical and other services according to their wishes, choices and decisions
  • Conduct direct and regular follow up of GBV survivors through home visits and based on survivors wishes and consent.
  • Case closure (if and when appropriate)
  • Conduct direct follow up of GBV survivors through home visits and regular follow up visits based on survivors’ wishes and consent.
  • Ensure proper documentation of reported GBV incidences through utilization of GBVIMS case intake, action, follow up and other case management forms appropriately.
  • Provide physical accompaniment to survivors of GBV to access other services in accordance with their wishes, choices and decisions
  • Follow GBV guiding principles of respect, confidentiality, and safety/security and non- discrimination while providing services to women and girls.
  • Monitor how the GBV referral pathway is working through making direct follow ups with other organizations that are providing services to survivors.
• Psychosocial/Group Support/Safe Spaces:
  • Conduct and help plan and organize psychosocial/ group support activities with women and adolescent girls to meet the emotional needs of survivors, build support networks among women/girls, and promote social integration of survivors and other vulnerable women.
  • Work with women and girls in the community to identify their needs, interests and priorities, and where possible, adapt activities according to these to ensure activities offered are culturally appropriate and meet the needs of women and girls.
• Outreach and Community Mobilization:
  • In collaboration with the WPE Assistant Community Mobilizers, conduct awareness raising activities on GBV and its health consequences, promoting available services to women and girls, and addressing the stigma preventing women and girls from accessing support and services with activities for female only group.
  • Identify and refer extremely vulnerable women and girls to access services and material support in accordance with their level of vulnerability and needs
  • Lead sessions to increase awareness on the consequences of GBV, promote available services to women and girls and address stigma preventing access to services at the women centers.
  • In collaboration with the WPE team, participate in meetings with community leadership structures when necessary to advocate for the needs of women and girls, and encourage their participation in GBV prevention and response activities in the communities
  • Identify and form women action groups in communities of intervention to ease prevention and response activities.

Other Duties and Responsibilities

• Support mentorship and trainings to IRC and other NGOs outreach workers/volunteers to improve their skills and capacity to support and refer survivors to services and adhere to guiding principles
• Assess gaps on how the referral pathway is functioning through direct follow ups with service providers and make suggestions for improvement to the supervisor.
• Support community mobilizers in facilitating EMAP (Engaging Men Through Accountable Practices) women weekly session as a key prevention strategy, behavioral change and also involving men ending violence against women in girls in community of operations
• Ensure supplies/resources for counseling spaces, women centers and other program activities are requested on a timely manner and are efficiently utilized.
• Adherence to the IRC code of conduct (IRC WAY) that ensures transparency, services and accountability to beneficiaries and reports any abuse of beneficiaries by other IRC staff, including sexual exploitation and abuse in accordance with the IRC reporting procedures.
• Track and keep information and records of psychosocial activities taking place at the centers to strengthen monitoring of program achievements
• Perform any other duties as required by the supervisor from time to time
• Adherence to the IRC Security Policy.
• Maintain positive coordination and relationships with partner and other IRC sector staff.

Key Working Relationships

• Position Reports to: Case Management Officer
• Indirect/Technical Reporting:
• Position Directly Supervises:
• Key Internal Contacts: Other Sector Staff
• Key External Contacts: Community Members, School teachers and other NGOs staff

Job Requirements
Education:

• Minimum of NCE certificate in Counselling/Social Work/Psychology or related field preferred. University degree in similar fields would be an added advantage.

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, girl clubs or other relevant experience is an added advantage
• Ability to facilitate trainings and sessions, including group support activities with women and girls
• Ability to keep records and write simple and basic reports of activities would be an added advantage

Demonstrated Managerial/ Leadership Competences:

• 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 task and maintain attention to details.

Languages:

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

Computer/Other Technical Requirements:

• Full professional competency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint.

Working Environment:

• This Position is located in Maiduguri, the situation in northeast Nigeria continues to be volatile and the security phase is orange or red depending on location. This is a national position.

Benefits

• Competitive Monthly salary,
• 13th Month Salary Inclusive,
• Health Insurance Coverage for Family, Pension, Crèche Facilities available for Women with babies under 24 Months.