Protection Assistant (GBV caseworker)

Responsibilities: 

·     Provide case Management and psychosocial support 

1.     In compliance with best-practice, international standards in GBV response, inter-agency GBV SOPs and case  management SOPs, provide direct psychosocial support for vulnerable women and girls, men and boys and particularly GBV survivors. At all times, ensure the safety and respect of the survivor, in addition to the confidentiality of his/her information and his/her right to access services without any discrimination;

2.     Provide case management services through high quality and confidential interventions in line with minimum standards for service provision and case management SOPs. This will include assessment of needs, development of an action plan for recovery, development of a safety plan when needed, conducting referrals to relevant services, implementing the action plan and ensuring appropriate follow up and case closure when appropriate;

3.     The case management process should be implemented through a survivor-centered approach through which the intervention is guided by the survivor with Akkarouna supporting and empowering him/her to access their rights, regain control over their lives and restore dignity;

4.     Provide age-appropriate counseling for vulnerable adolescent girls and children through the implementation of tools developed for caring for child survivors and in the best interest of the child;

5.     Provide counselling for all survivors referred to case management service;

6.   Conduct case management in safe spaces identified in collaboration with survivors; only conduct home visits to child spouses whilst ensuring own safety and the safety and confidentiality of survivors;

7.     When needed, liaise with DRC’s lawyer to ensure that GBV survivors receive legal counselling in line with the case plan, whilst ensuring that safety considerations have been addressed in order to protect the survivor.

8.   When needed, liaise with psychologist to ensure that GBV survivors receive mental health services through a tailored treatment plan to empower survivors to cope and overcome the trauma thatresults from GBV violations;

9.     File and store GBV data in the gender-based violence information management systems (GBVIMS and GBVIMS+) in compliance with the information sharing protocol developed at the inter-agency level;

10.  Ensure the utmost confidentiality of case management data and information throughout the case management process; including protection referrals;

11.  Closely coordinate with PSS teams in order to ensure survivors, children and their caregivers are referred from case management to PSS and vice-versa;

12.  Support the implementation of monitoring and evaluation tools and report on problems in the implementation of the program;

13.  Participate in regular supervisory meetings to ensure adherence to standards of care and appropriate case management

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·        Conduct emotional support groups

14.  Provide emotional support group sessions to women and girls at risk of or survivors of gender based violence in compliance with best-practice and DRC’s guidelines

15.  Create a safe space where participants can voice their opinions, thoughts and emotions, share experiences and brainstorm on solutions in a confidential and respectful manner

16.  Apply age and gender appropriate facilitation skills during group sessions; use inter-active adult learning techniques to effectively engage with session participants;

17.  When needed and with their informed consent, safely identify and refer survivors of SGBV to individual case management or other relevant and available services.

·        Coordination and planning

18.  Develop and maintain effective working relationship with relevant stakeholders including partner agencies, community leaders and service providers;

19.  Actively contribute to the maintenance of an up-to-date service mapping of the service providers operating in the area;

20.  In coordination with Protection officer, receive referrals from differentagencies, develop an action plan and appropriate response to each case. Ensure that informed consent/assent is taken before opening a case, and prioritize intervention according to risk level;

21.  Assess received cases and take immediate action to address urgent situations;

22.  Send referrals to relevant agencies through the referral pathway and according to the action plan developed with the survivor;

23.  Deliver basic SGBV trainings to non-SGBV frontliners, including sessions on the GBV core concepts and guiding principles and the safe identification and referral of SGBV cases;

24.  In collaboration with Protection Officer, attend case conferences with relevant key actors when needed, while ensuring a survivor-centered approach;

25.  Raise gaps in GBV response services and referral protocols to the Protection Officer ;

26.  Work closely with the Child Protection section when a case involves child survivors, particularly when assessing best interest of the child;

27.  Actively participate in training platforms such as IRC’s Peer 2 Peer program;

28.  Immediately flag safety concerns to the Protection Officer throughout the case management process.

Other: Any other duties relating to the nature of the job as directed by the Protection Officer.

Experience and technical competencies: (include years of experience)

·        1 to 2 years of experience in providing SGBV case management    

·        Ability to maintain confidentiality, respect, non-discrimination and safety of survivor at all times

·        Excellent knowledge of GBV, child protection and PSS basic principles

·        Excellent facilitation skills

·        Excellent knowledge of GBV case management principles

·        Excellent knowledge of the negative impacts of early marriage on the individual, family and community level

·        Excellent knowledge of child development and adult learning techniques

·        Excellent communication and psychosocial first aid skills

·     Excellent interpersonal and problem-solving skills, creativity and flexibility

·        Comfortable in amulti-cultural environment, flexible and able to handle pressure well

·        Computer literacy (Microsoft Word and Excel)

·        Ability to work flexible hours

·   Most be able to drive and have a driver licence

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