WPE Case Management Assistant

Background/IRC Summary:

The International Rescue Committee, one of the world’s largest humanitarian agencies, provides relief, rehabilitation and post-conflict reconstruction support to victims of natural disaster, oppression and violent conflict in 42 countries. The IRC is committed to bold leadership, innovation and creative partnerships. Active in public health, education, livelihoods, women’s empowerment, youth development, and protection and promotion of rights, IRC assists people from harm to home.

IRC entered Nigeria in October 2012 in response to a widespread flood disaster. Since then, the IRC has expanded its scope and size of the programs as new areas became accessible after prolonged conflict and insecurity, in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States. The IRC’s response to the humanitarian situation includes integrated health and nutrition services, as well as reproductive health care and women protection services. In 2015 IRC Nigeria developed a five-year long term Strategy Action Plan. The plan has Health, Education and Economic Wellbeing as high priority program areas.

The IRC WPE program implements Prevention, Response and Empowerment activities to address Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and the focus of this program is to provide good quality health and psychosocial response services to conflict-affected women and girls in Borno State, North-Eastern Nigeria in a timely manner.

Job Overview/Summary

The Case Worker will provide psychosocial support, basic case management support to survivors of gender-based violence through individual counselling follow up support, referrals and dissemination of information on available GBV services to encourage access to services. She/he will in collaboration with the Response Officer oversee provision of psychosocial /group support, skills building, information sessions and other recreational activities that promotes social support networks and cohesion with women and girls at the women and girls’ centers/safe spaces.

Major Responsibilities:

• Provide direct support and care for adult and child survivors of gender-based violence, including counseling and basic case management. Case management services will include Assessment of needs of clients, developing an action plan with clients, Implementing the plan with clients
• Provide physical accompaniment to GBV survivors if requested to access medical and other services according to their wishes, choices, and decisions.
• Conduct direct and regular follow up of GBV survivors through home visits and based on survivors wishes and consent.
• Case closure (when appropriate)
• Conduct direct follow up of GBV survivors through home visits and regular follow up visits based on survivors’ wishes and consent.
• Ensure proper documentation of reported GBV incidences through utilization of GBVIMS case intake, action, follow up and other case management forms appropriately.
• 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 and help plan and organize 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 vulnerable women.
• Work with women and girls in the community to identify their needs, interests and priorities, and where possible, adapt activities according to these to ensure activities offered are culturally appropriate and meet the needs of women and girls.
• Ensure that vulnerable women and girls including GBV survivors are engaged on psychosocial activities of their choice that will support their healing and recovery.
• In collaboration with the WPE Assistant Community Mobilizers, conduct awareness raising activities on GBV and its health consequences, promoting available services to women and girls, and addressing the stigma preventing women and girls from accessing support and services with activities for female only group.
• In collaboration with the WPE team, participate in meetings with community leadership structures when necessary to advocate for the needs of women and girls, and encourage their participation in GBV prevention and response activities in the communities.

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to:WPE Case Management Officer

Minimum Qualifications:

• Candidate must be a graduate from a reputable institute and have at least 2 years working experience in GBV programming.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and respect for clients always is essential.
• Positive and professional attitude, able to organize, maintain composure and prioritize work under pressure, work overtime when necessary and be able to coordinate multiple tasks and maintain attention to detail.
• Ability to work as a member of a team essential.
• Excellent listening and observation skills, including ability to create trust, support, respect and interact with survivors of all ages, background, and diversity
• Counseling and training experience, including experience working with women and girls preferred
• Demonstrated commitment to women’s empowerment and protection through current/ previous volunteer work in women’s group, girls’ clubs or other relevant experience is an added advantage
• Ability to facilitate trainings and sessions, including group support activities with women and girls.
• Ability to communicate in English, Kanuri, Hausa and or local dialects spoken in the location
• Ability to keep records and write simple and basic reports of activities would be an added advantage.
• University Degree in Psychology, Sociology, Health, or equivalent is a requirement.
• Must be a TEAM PLAYER.

Standard of Professional Conduct: IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – our Code of Conduct.  These are Integrity, Service, Accountability and Equality.  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.

Commitment to Gender, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: IRC is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, respectful, and safe work environment where all persons are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. The IRC expressly prohibits and will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or bullying of IRC Persons in any work setting.

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.

Employment Gaps: We welcome applicants with varied career paths and recognize that a gap in employment does not define a candidate’s potential. We value transferrable skills and are committed to investing in the growth and development of our team members. We encourage applicants to highlight any relevant skills or experiences they have acquired, even if they were not gained in a traditional work setting.

Compensation and Benefits: IRC strives to provide externally competitive and internally equitable Compensation and Benefits programs that attracts, motivates, and retains employees that deliver strong performance while demonstrating the IRC Way Standards for Professional Conduct.

Equal Opportunity Employer: IRC is an equal opportunity employer and we value diversity and inclusion. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, nationality, ethnicity or tribe, gender, age, religion, caste, sexual orientation, differently abled, geographic origin, marital status, veteran status and cultural background (or any other characteristic protected by law). 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. Please contact us to request accommodation.