Social Worker

Terms of Reference for Social Worker

Terms of Reference (ToR)
Social Worker

This ToR defines the role and responsibilities of the Social Worker in the SheRises project, emphasizing the importance of psychosocial support, case management, and community engagement to address violence against women and girlswhile fostering economic independence. It is structured to ensure effective service delivery, collaboration with other project staff, and the integration of gender-sensitive support within the local context.

1. Background

The SheRises: Fostering Economic Independence and Combating Violence Against Women and Girls project aims to foster economic independence and combat violence against women and girls (VAWG) in Lebanon by addressing the socio-economic challenges faced by women and promoting their rights and access to services. The project’s interventions are focused on empowering women through skills development, job creation, and support for survivors of violence.

The Social Worker will play a critical role in providing direct support to women and girls who have experienced violence, while also helping to create an enabling environment for economic independence. The Social Worker will deliver specialized services, including counseling, referral, and psychosocial support, and will work closely with other project staff to ensure comprehensive and integrated support for beneficiaries.

2. Objective of the Position

The Social Worker will provide psychosocial support to survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) and vulnerable women within the SheRises project. This role will involve case management, direct counseling services, referral to essential services, and community outreach. The Social Worker will also contribute to the awareness-raising and advocacy activities of the project by facilitating information dissemination and engaging with local communities on the issues of economic independence and VAWG.

3. Key Responsibilities

The Social Worker will be responsible for the following tasks:

A. Case Management and Direct Support

1. Case Assessment and Counseling: Provide individual psychosocial counseling and emotional support to women and girls who have experienced violence, including survivors of domestic violence, sexual violence, and economic exploitation.

2. Develop Action Plans: Work with beneficiaries to develop individual action plans, set goals, and provide ongoing guidance and support to help them regain confidence, access services, and take steps toward economic independence.

3. Case Management: Manage a case load of women and girls, ensuring that cases are followed through to resolution and that beneficiaries receive the appropriate support at each stage.

4. Safety Planning: Assist in safety planning for survivors of violence, ensuring that individuals are informed about their legal rights, options for protection, and how to access safe housing or emergency shelters if needed.

B. Referral and Service Coordination

1. Referral to Services: Ensure survivors are referred to appropriate services, including legal aid, healthcare, shelter, livelihood opportunities, and skills training.

2. Collaboration with Partners: Coordinate closely with local service providers, NGOs, and government agenciesto ensure that the needs of beneficiaries are met, and they are supported across multiple sectors.

3. Follow-up: Ensure timely follow-up with beneficiaries to monitor the effectiveness of referrals, track progress, and identify any gaps in services or support.

C. Awareness-Raising and Capacity Building

1. Community Engagement: Lead awareness sessions within the community to raise awareness about gender-based violence, women’s rights, and economic empowerment opportunities for women.

2. Training: Provide training and workshops for community leaders, local authorities, and other stakeholders on topics such as GBV prevention, women’s rights, psychosocial support, and economic independence.

3. Advocacy: Support the project’s advocacy efforts at the local level to promote changes in gender norms, raise awareness about VAWG, and advocate for better services for survivors.

D. Documentation and Reporting

1. Case Documentation: Maintain confidential and accurate records of all cases, including progress notes, action plans, and follow-up documentation, ensuring adherence to ethical standards and confidentiality guidelines.

2. Reporting: Provide monthly reports on case management activities, referrals, and the status of survivors. Submit these reports to the Project Manager and ensure that all data is accurately recorded in the project’s Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) systems.

3. Data Collection: Assist in data collection for project monitoring, particularly around service utilization, outcomes for survivors, and community engagement activities.

E. Protection and Safety

1. Confidentiality and Ethics: Adhere to strict confidentiality protocols to protect the safety and privacy of the beneficiaries.

2. Risk Mitigation: Identify safeguarding risks to the beneficiaries and the project team, ensuring appropriate risk mitigation strategies are in place.

3. Support for At-Risk Women and Girls: Work closely with the Field Coordinator and Project Manager to ensure that the project is responsive to the needs of high-risk individuals, especially those facing multiple vulnerabilities (e.g., economic deprivation, isolation, disability).

4. Deliverables

The Social Worker will be responsible for the following deliverables:

1. Monthly Case Management Reports: Detailed reports on the number of cases handled, the types of violence experienced, referrals made, and the outcomes of interventions.

2. Counseling and Referral Plans: A detailed action plan for each survivor or vulnerable woman, including recommendations for additional services and follow-up.

3. Referral Directory: An updated directory of local service providers for survivors, including legal aid, medical services, safe spaces, and livelihood programs.

4. Training and Awareness Materials: Development and delivery of training materials and community awarenesssessions, including feedback and outcomes of the sessions.

5. Data for M&E: Contribution to monitoring and evaluation processes, including regular updates to M&E indicators related to case management, referrals, and outcomes.

5. Duration of the Consultancy

The Social Worker will be contracted for a full-time position for 12 months, starting from November 2024 and concluding on 31 October 2025. The contract may be extended based on the needs of the project and performance.

6. Reporting and Supervision

The Social Worker will report directly to the Project Manager and will work closely with the Field Coordinator, M&E Officer, and other project staff to ensure the effective delivery of psychosocial support and coordination of services. The Social Worker will also liaise with external partners, including local NGOs, health providers, and legal experts.

7. Qualifications and Experience

The ideal candidate should possess the following qualifications and experience:

• Academic Qualifications: A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, or a related field.

• Professional Experience:

o Minimum of 2-3 years of experience in providing psychosocial support, case management, and counseling services to survivors of gender-based violence.

o Experience in working with women and girls from vulnerable backgrounds, particularly in areas related to economic empowerment and gender-based violence prevention.

o Proven experience in referral systems and working with local service providers (e.g., health services, shelters, legal aid).

o Experience in community outreach, training, and awareness raising.

o Understanding of gender issues, women's rights, and VAWG in the Lebanese context.

o Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and handle sensitive cases with care and professionalism.

• Technical Skills:

o Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trust and rapport with women, families, and community members.

o Strong problem-solving and crisis management skills.

o Proficiency in Microsoft Office and knowledge of data management systems for case tracking.

• Languages: Fluency in Arabic (spoken and written) is required. Proficiency in English is an advantage.

8. Application Process

Interested candidates should submit the following documents:

1. A current CV with relevant experience.

2. A cover letter explaining how the candidate’s qualifications and experience align with the responsibilities and objectives of the Social Worker role.

3. Contact details for three professional references.

4. Any relevant case management tools, reports, or training materials (optional).

Applications should be submitted to administrator@associationhda.com by 7 January 2025