GBV 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 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:

• Provide day to day PSS activities in the WGSS, based on feedback from women and girls.
• This includes, but is not limited to:
• Provide age-appropriate GBV case management, including: assessment of women and adolescent girl’s needs; provide emotional support, basic, crisis counseling (and in some contexts further individual counseling); safety strategizing and risk assessing; development of action plans; support in pursuing services and support; safe, confidential and appropriate referrals in-line with the formal GBV referral pathways; providing discretionary assistance (such as transportation, dignity kit items, urgent medical cost) if in-line with internal protocols and eligibility criteria to meet most urgent needs.
• Support to conduct 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 diverse women.
• Ensure proper documentation and confidential submission of reported GBV incidences through utilization of GBVIMS case intake, action, follow up and other case management forms appropriately.
• Maintain detailed and confidential case files, ensuring they are carefully and safely stored in the in-line with the Case Management Protocol, data protection protocols, and safety and ethical standards on GBV information management; and ensuring the WPE Case Tracker remains password protected.
• Actively participate in the mandatory weekly team case management meeting at the WGSS or Office, and the individual supervision sessions with your case work supervisor (WPE Officer). 
• Working with the WPE Officer, regularly advocate for the provision of life-saving medical care including clinical management of rape, SAC, PAC, family planning and other SRH; and where available and of quality, work in close collaboration with the health service near the WGSS or mobile space to ensure women and girls have safe, discrete and confidential access to/from the WPE and health services via agreed upon safe and confidential referral procedures.
• 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
• Conduct ongoing focus group discussions with women and adolescent girls to inform program activities; and working with the WPE team in the Center to ensure response to the evolving needs of women and girls and their communities.
• Complete monthly activity reports, according to guidance provided by the WPE Officer.
• Coordinate with all relevant stakeholders for effective case management.
• Any other task assigned by the supervisor. Key Working Relationships
• Position Reports to: Cluster Manager/WPE Officer/Case Management Supervisor
• Other Internal and/or external contacts:

Internal:

GBVIMS Assistant; Child Protection Coordinator, Cluster Manager, Women and Girls Safe Space Supervisors

External: Communities, Children, Government Departments & Civil Society Organizations.

Job Requirements

a. Education

• Master’s degree in social work, Psychology, or other relevant discipline b. Work Experience

• Minimum 2-3 years of professional experience in GBV Case Management Demonstrated Skills and Competencies

• Demonstrated experience in providing GBV case management

• Understanding of case management forms

• Clear understanding of and interest in the well-being of women and girls, and supporting their healing after the experience of violence

• Understanding of the impact and dynamics of men’s violence against women and girls, and a strong interest in working on women and girls’ protection and empowerment

• Deep understanding of women and girls’ strengths in the context of KP

• Strong experience of interagency GBV case management SOPs and KP VAWG Case management SOPs

• Ability to discuss sensitive issues with respect and empathy

• Ability to always maintain confidentiality and respect for clients.

• Good working knowledge of English and Urdu languages; Pashto language is desirable

• Works well in and promotes teamwork, flexible, able to handle pressure well, and strong communication skills

• Ability to react to emergency and trouble-shoot crisis as needed

• Knowledge of Microsoft word and excel

• Willing to travel to field sites as required.

• Belief in and understanding of gender equality, women's rights, and empowerment. Language Skills:

• Good written and spoken English and Urdu skills.

• Due to the nature of work Pashto language is a must

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.