Social worker of the Department of Child Protection in International rescue committee

Organization Description:

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises and helps people whose lives and livelihoods have been destroyed by conflict and disaster to survive, recover and regain control of their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC works with people who have been forced to flee war, conflict and disaster, with the host communities that support them, and with those who remain in their homes and communities. Working today in more than 40 countries around the world and 22 US cities, we improve living conditions in the areas of health, safety, economic well-being, education and energy. Given the inequalities faced by women and girls, the IRC aims to reduce gender inequality and ensure the social inclusion of all vulnerable groups in the overall processes and actions that affect their lives. In Ukraine, IRC launched emergency programs in April 2022 in the areas of child protection (CP), protection and rule of law (ProL), women's protection and empowerment (WPE) (i.e. gender-based violence), health, cash and basic needs.

Job overview:

Under the leadership of a senior specialist in child protection (CP), social the Child Protection Case Management Specialist will be responsible for providing Case Management (CM) services to a defined number of children who are at risk of or have experienced abuse, neglect, exploitation and/or violence (including unaccompanied or separated children). In particular, he/she will ensure that children who have experienced or are at risk of harm are identified and referred to case management services from the local community, in particular the Safe Recovery and Learning Space (SHLS), and provide them with individual CM support. As part of this work, he/she will also provide support to families of children, including care, support and skills development for carers. S/he will work directly with other social workers and service providers on caseload management and referrals, while ensuring close collaboration and coordination with PSS IRC staff. In addition, CP social workers will visit children and their families at home to monitor recovery, follow-up and referral, and assess child protection risks/problems in the family (including other children). 

The social worker will be based in Mykolaiv and will report to a senior specialist in the field of child protection.

Main responsibilities:

Technical quality

- Participate and support the identification of children who have suffered harm or are at risk of harm.

- Providing individual case management for eligible children according to agreed interagency case management steps, protocols and related tools and procedures, such as:

o Conducting initial assessment of CP cases and prioritization based on risk level;

o Conducting complexof CP case assessments;

developing case management plans that take into account the needs identified during the initial and comprehensive CP case assessments and contacting the supervisor for necessary support; 

o Provision of basic counseling and psychosocial support; 

o Redirect and accompany children who need it to more specialized services;

o Regularly monitor whether all the services and activities listed in the plan of work with the child are implemented in the agreed terms. Provide regular progress reviews;

o Regularly monitor and support children and their families through visits, emotional support, counselling, referral etc.

- Provide ongoing support to children's families, including care, support and skills development for carers. 

- Work closely with the CP team and other sectors of the IRC to ensure that children and their families have individual and confidential access to services through internal referral procedures and that case management support is responsive to the needs of children and their families.

- Support the implementation of referral protocols and CP guidelines; if problems are identified in this matter, report them to the specialist and senior specialist of the child protection department.

- Facilitate and support the implementation of the IRC target program on MHPSS issues for children and adolescents.

If necessary, the CP social worker can also support the implementation of MHPSS programs and help, among other things, in the following:

- Facilitate the implementation of socio-emotional, recreational, creative and life development activities skills for children/adolescents; 

- Facilitate sessions for parents/guardians to improve their stress management skills, positive parenting practices and strategies to support children and adolescents with psychosocial needs.

Administration and reporting:

- Maintain case records and prepare weekly report for supervisor.

- Ensure accuracy, completeness/thoroughness and confidentiality of data entry regarding case management and data storage. 

- Complete monthly activity reports as recommended by the Child Protection Officer.

- Communicate regularly with the Child Protection Officer and Senior Child Protection Officer.

Coordination and Representation:

- Attend case management meetings regularly, including conferences at the local level. 

- Actively coordinate activities with staff of other IRC units on the ground, in particular, on issues of protection and rule of law, protection and empowerment of women, health care, economic assistance and development. 

- Actively develop and maintain effective working relationships with relevant local actors on the ground, in particular with public, non-governmental and governmental organizations.

Other:

- Attend trainings organized by the IRC.

- Keep abreast of child protection situations and developments in communities and surrounding areas.

- Consistent and proactive monitor the safety and protection of fieldsteams, promptly reporting issues or incidents to IRC management and liaising with other external parties as necessary to maintain/enhance a secure environment.

- Promote and adhere to the IRC principles, values and code of conduct.

- Act both professionally and personally in a manner that benefits the IRC and does not jeopardize its humanitarian mission.

- As needed, provide written and oral translation at meetings, trainings and/or documentation for better understanding of all employees.

- Perform any other tasks as requested by your manager to ensure and develop IRC programs.

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS 

Reporting:Child Protection CM Officer

Direct control: n/a

Internal cooperation within the framework ofIRC: Protection & Rule of Law (ProL), WPE, MEAL, ERD, Health, Finance, Supply, Grants, HR and other departments.

Requirements

- Preferably higher degree in social work, psychology, education, human rights, social sciences, humanities, or other related field

- Minimum of 1 year of experience implementing child protection programs, preferably in social work, case management, or psychosocial programs for children, in humanitarian or development organizations.

- Demonstrated understanding of working with children, especially vulnerable and abused children or risk harm.

- Positive and professional attitude, including the ability to lead and work well in a team.

- Ability to maintain documentation and write simple and basic activity reports.

- Ability to speak honestly, professionally and thoughtfully about sensitive topics.

- Demonstrated understanding and ability to maintain confidentiality and respect for clients/beneficiaries.

- High degree of flexibility and strong ability to organize work, meet deadlines, maintain self-control, prioritize work under pressure, coordinate multiple tasks and maintain attention to detail.

- Computer literacy, including Microsoft Word and Excel.

- Language: Fluent in Ukrainian and Russian, basic English skills are advantage.

This position will be based in Mykolaiv with frequent travel to field locations.

Standards of Professional Conduct

IRC and IRC employees must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the "IRC Way - Code of Conduct". It is integrity, service and accountability. In line with these values, IRC develops and implements policies to protect beneficiaries from exploitation and abuse, child protection, freedom from harassment in the workplace, financial integrity, anti-retaliation, anti-trafficking and others.

Gender equality and equal opportunities

We strive to reduce the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer generous benefits that provide a supportive environmentmore for women's participation in our workforce, including parental leave, gender-sensitive safety protocols, and other supportive benefits and allowances. We welcome and strongly encourage qualified female professionals to apply.

IRC is an equal opportunity employer. The IRC considers all applicants on their merits, without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.