Child Protection Caseworker

Background/IRC Summary:

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) 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, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war and disaster. At work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we restore dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. The IRC leads the way from harm to home.

IRC has been working in Pakistan for approximately 40 years, managing and delivering large, complex programs to meet the needs in health, education, safeguarding, environmental health and livelihoods for displaced, poor and disaster affected communities. With the support of the federal and provincial governments, and generous donors like FCDO, ECHO, USAID, GAC and Australian Aid Agencies the IRC is currently implementing projects across the country.

About the Project:

International Rescue Committee is implementing a project that seeks to provide support and protection to Afghan Refugees in 19 Districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province at the initial stage with a plan to extend to other districts in coming years. The proposed project will contribute to strengthening and scaling up the current Child Protection (CP) & Women’s Protection and Empowerment (WPE/GBV) interventions. In addition, the scope will be extended to prevention and response activities for the new arrivals residing in the Refugee Villages (RVs). It is about to protecting women, girls and boys, including individuals or groups at risks from harm and ensuring that women, girls and boys who are exposed to protection risks are immediately referred to relevant specialized services of case management and psychosocial support through an interactive referral pathway developed. Existing capacities of the service providers will be enhanced through the provision of capacity building trainings and technical assistance.

Job Summary:

GBV Caseworker will work under the guidance and direct supervision of WPE Officer She will be responsible to provide quality GBV case management services to the GBV survivors by following the interagency GBV case management guidelines. She will also be responsible for upholding the GBV guiding principles and the survivor centered approach in case management. She will ensure all times a women-, girl- and survivor-centered approach throughout all activities and services and that the team provide in the women and girls Centers and safe spaces; this includes ensuring confidentiality of survivors, and respect for their wishes and decisions.

Major Responsibilities:

Under the direct supervision of CP Officer and Women Protection & Empowerment Officer, community mobilizer will be required for implementation of a Project on Afghan Refugee Response in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The position holder will coordinate and facilitate the project activities related to the target communities such as identification and formation of community-based committees/support groups, mobilize and facilitate active participation of community members, participate in planning, monitoring and implementation of agreed activities, support community groups in identification and prevention of community issues, identifying and resolving any related issues at the community level. The Community Mobilizer is a field-based position and responsible to directly engage with communities, children, government departments and Civil Society Organizations to establish an effective response. Key of the tasks for the position holder may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Engaging community members in various project related activities ensuring that activities are implemented in an appropriate manner.
• Contribute to design and implementation of outreach activities and provide timely inputs to project team
• Keep the community updated and involved about the project and its planned activities.
• Consistently collect data on activities implemented and attendance, recording attendance of children and women and girls and submit weekly report.
• Screen for and monitor risks to children and women and girls in and around safe spaces and report it to the Child Protection Officer and WPE officer for coordinated follow up.
• Combine community groups to form protection committees in targeted communities.
• Regularly conduct meetings with the communities in assigned areas.
• Support CP Officer and WPE Officer in mapping of service providers to establish district-based referral mechanisms.
• Run awareness raising campaigns in communities.
• Flag protection issues which need to be addressed through awareness raising activities and support the development of key messages and material.
• Solving and reporting issues regarding children and women and girls and facilitators.
• Report logistic needs to CP Officers and WPE Officer for any activities on-ground.
• Ensure that the CP and GBV cases are identified from communities and Safe Spaces and are reported to caseworkers for further case management.
• Develop and submit progress reports to CPO and WPO as and when required.
• Ensure adherence to Code of Conduct and reporting procedures.
• Perform any other project related tasks assigned by supervisor.

Job Requirements:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in any development field. Postgraduate training in any related field will be an added advantage.

Work Experience:

• Should have a minimum of 2 years field experience in community mobilization preferably in emergencies/refugee response.
• Ability to work under pressure in an unstable security environment. Able to handle sensitive information with strict confidentiality.
• Experience in training, capacity building of community-based structures including Committees or children clubs.

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

• Experience in child protection prevention and response in emergencies.
• Understanding of managing protection case management programs, including implementation of best interests’ procedures.
• Flexibility to work in a diverse multicultural team with respect for Pakistani culture and norms.
• Ability and experience coordinating with government and CSOs.
• Excellent interpersonal and communications skills.
• Flexible attitude towards receiving feedback
• Knowledge of issues relating to community involvement and empowerment.

Language:

• Good written and spoken English and Urdu skills.
• Proficient Pushto spoken.

Key Working Relationships:

• Position Reports to: Child Protection Officer and Women Protection and Empowerment Officers.
• Position Coordinates With: Cluster Manager, CP Coordinator, WPE Coordinator, Safe Space Supervisors, Communities, Children, Government Departments & Civil Society Organizations.

The IRC Core Values and Commitments:

• The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity Anti-Retaliation and Combating Trafficking in Persons.
• IRC is committed to ensuring that IRC staff is suitable to work with children and have the knowledge s/he needs to uphold and abide by the IRC’s Child Safeguarding Policy.
• Level of interaction with children: Frequent and direct contact with children.
• IRC recognizes that gender equality is fundamental to the achievement of our organizational mission. As such, IRC is committed to the promotion of gender equality in all aspects of our operations and programs. Our organizational policies, procedures and actions demonstrate this commitment.

Women candidates are highly encouraged to apply. We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.

Women candidates, minorities group and person with disability are highly encouraged to apply.