Child Protection Case Worker at International Rescue Committee (IRC)

Sector: Child Protection

Employment Category: Fixed Term

Employment Type: Full-Time

Open to Expatriates: No

Location: Mubi, Nigeria

Job Description

Background/IRC Summary:  The International Rescue Committee responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, IRC offers life-saving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in more than 40 countries and in 22 U.S. cities, IRC restores safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted by conflict or disaster. IRC leads the way from harm to home.

CONTEXTUAL BACKGROUND

The IRC has been present in Nigeria since 2012 when the organization responded to flooding in Kogi state. In February 2014 the IRC moved into Adamawa State in NE Nigeria to provide humanitarian interventions through a multi-sectorial, integrated approach for conflict affected populations. IRC Nigeria now operates a country office in Abuja and field offices in Mubi and Yola of Adamawa State, Maiduguri, Gwoza and Monguno of Borno State and Damaturu of Yobe State. Currently, IRC Nigeria implements programs focused in primary health care, nutrition, environmental health, women’s protection and empowerment, protection, child protection, education, food security & livelihoods

Job Overview/Summary: The Case worker will carry out all steps of the case management process for a specified number of individual children vulnerable to abuse, exploitation, neglect and violence (including UASC, Children Associated with Armed Forces and Groups (CAAFAG), and children that are involved in the worst forms of child labor)

Position objectives:

• To ensure that children harmed or at risk of being harmed are identified and receive individual case management support by identification and intake, conducting assessments, developing a case plan, direct service provision, referral and follow up for an assigned number of children.
• To provide support and conduct monitoring visits to caregivers and families (particularly foster and alternative caregivers)
• To liaise with other case workers and social workers on management of caseload and referrals.
• To support in mapping services for children and their caregivers in the area of coverage
• To document and safely store all information related to the case

Major Responsibilities:

Delivery of Case Management Services

• Provide individual case management for children in communities in assigned coverage areas
• Provide support for families, foster and alternative care systems.
• Monitor CP trends within communities and report weekly.
• Ensure regular communication with the CP/CM manager for updates on achievements and challenges

Grant Monitoring and Reporting

• Provide input for weekly and staff activity reports. .

Coordination & Representation

• Effectively communicate with other caseworkers, government social workers and service providers as part of providing individual case management.
• Regularly attend case management meetings at field level
• Build strong relationships with Child Protection Committee members for identification and referrals

Program Development

• Contribute to the development of proposal activities in relation to case management.
• Coordinate with other IRC sectors staff (e.g. WPE, Protection, Education, Health and Livelihoods) at field level

Other

• Consistently and proactively monitor/assess the safety and security of field teams; promptly reporting concerns or incidents to IRC management and  liaising with community leaders and other external parties as required to maintain/enhance the security environment for IRC programs
• Other duties as assigned by the supervisor to enable and develop IRC programs

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to:  Child Protection Officer
Position directly supervises:  None

Indirect Reporting: Child Protection Manager

Qualifications

Education:

• A bachelor’s degree, HND or national diploma in social sciences, education, economic, another human development related field or equivalent of experience preferred
• Demonstrated understanding of information management principles, tools and systems, knowledge of and experience in using the IA CP IMS is an advantage.
• Good computer skills such as: MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access

Work Experience:

• At least two years’ experience working to support children, adolescent girl and boys, women  or parents and caregivers

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

• The ability to effectively communicate with children
• The ability to adapt and work under pressure and strong interpersonal skills
• The ability to facilitate group psychosocial activities with children and caregivers with understanding of group dynamics and processes
• A learning attitude and willingness to increase skills and knowledge in the protection of adolescent girls and boys
• Personal qualities: Team player, flexible, network-builder, able to handle pressure well.

Language Skills: English and Hausa

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