GBV Case Worker (WGSS) in HEKS / EPER Ukraine

HEKS/EPER is actively involved in overcoming the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, responding to the far-reaching consequences of the ongoing conflict. The organization provides emergency aid, focusing on those most affected by war, including displaced persons and vulnerable communities. Its efforts focus on providing essential services such as shelter, food security and psychosocial support, as well as promoting integration and building resilience.

Safety and protection of children:At HEKS/EPER, the safety and well-being of children and vulnerable populations is of utmost importance important.

To support this importance, the organization implements enhanced security measures at all stages of the process of recruitment and adaptation of personnel. This includes comprehensive background and reference checks on selected candidates, ensuring the highest standards of security and protection against harm or exploitation. These thorough procedures reflect HEKS/EPER's unwavering commitment to creating a safe environment for the most vulnerable populations. This includes comprehensive background and reference checks on selected candidates, ensuring the highest standards of security and protection against harm or exploitation. These rigorous procedures reflect HEKS/EPER's unwavering commitment to fostering a safe environment for the most vulnerable populations.

HEKS/EPER is equally committed to the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion. We strive to create an inclusive and supportive work environment where all employees feel valued, respected and empowered to reach their full potential. gender-based violence, works at the Safe Space for Women and Girls (WGSS) in Kharkiv and plays a key role in providing direct support, case management and psychosocial services to women and girls who have experienced gender-based violence. This position involves some work abroad, approximately 40-50% of the time is spent on educational activities in Kharkiv and the Kharkiv region. The case worker is also responsible for ensuring high-quality case management (case management of survivors of violence) and may occasionally travel to other regions, such as Sumy and Donetsk Oblast, depending on project needs or changing circumstances.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

The case worker will provide emergency assistance in the field of protection (GZN and PZPSP) to the most vulnerable sections of the population affected by the conflict in Ukraine. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Support in the organization of work withsurvivors of HBI:

• Provide professional and confidential services to HBI survivors based on holistic, person-centered HEKS/EPER approach, following protocols, including performing all stages of case management for survivors of GBV violence.
• Ensure timely implementation of case management process, referral, follow-up and case closure (if and when appropriate). 
• Fill out documents on a case-by-case basis in a timely manner.
• Perform regular monitoring with follow-up and analysis of the progress of cases of MIS.
• Conduct customer surveys in all cases of MIS, at least twice per case (according to procedures).
• Ensure timely referral of survivors of GBV to appropriate services (medical care, mental health and psychosocial support, legal advice and assistance, safe shelter and livelihood opportunities, etc.) according to client needs.
• Support in identification, assessment and implementation monetary support as an additional service to case management.
• Conducting educational and informative group classes on combating gender-based violence.
• Ethically and confidentially collect and store data on cases of domestic violence. 
• Support in identifying and selecting beneficiaries for distribution of dignity kits, as well as support in distribution.

Psychological support:

• Provide individual and group psychosocial support in the Safe Space for Women and Girls in Kharkiv, as well as in the communities of the Kharkiv region.
• Create a schedule of activities on a weekly basis and provide it to the team leader and the advisor on PZPSP issues for review, support and verification.
• Provide first psychological support for survivors of violence, if necessary.

Coordination:

• Make frequent visits to communities in order information and educational work, coordination and establishment of connections. 
• Work in collaboration with the case worker in the community to ensure that the current needs of women and girls are met through preventive interventions. 

Data Management and Reporting

• Conduct regular surveys of beneficiaries regarding their wishes/feedback.
• Ensure continuous dissemination of information to beneficiaries on various feedback channels and complaints.
• Follow strict data protection and information sharing protocols to protect privacy, confidentiality and the safety of survivors of violence.

Requirements for candidates:

Professional competences:

• a. Higher education in psychology, social work or a related field.
• b. At least one year of previous experience in assisting survivors of GBV and women and girls from vulnerable populations; social protection and community engagement.
• C. Knowledge and understanding of the health and social protection system in Ukraine.
• Experience in the practical implementation of the principles of prevention and response to GZN.
• Fluency in the Ukrainian language and basic knowledge of English languages.
• h. Excellent IT skills, including Google and Microsoft applications (Word, Excel, Google Form, PowerPoint, etc.)

Behavioral competencies:

a.          Empathy, communication skills and active listening.

b.         Time management, conflict resolution and emotional stability.

c.         Adaptability and stress resistance.

d.         Ability to learn.

We offer:

• Social package and competitive salary
• Medical insurance
• Opportunity for professional growth and development
• Working in a friendly team of professionals

If you are ready to join our team and contribute to the development of humanitarian programs, please leave your feedback along with your resume for the position. We would love to see you with us!

HEKS/EPER is actively engaged in addressing the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, responding to the far-reaching consequences of the ongoing conflict. The organization provides emergency assistance, focusing on those most affected by war, including displaced individuals and vulnerable communities. Its efforts emphasize the provision of essential services such as shelter, food security, and psychosocial support, alongside facilitating integration and resilience-building measures.

Safeguarding and Child Protection:  At HEKS/EPER, the safety and well-being of children and vulnerable individuals are of utmost importance. To uphold this critical value, the organization enforces stringent safeguarding measures throughout the recruitment and onboarding processes. This includes comprehensive background and reference checks for selected candidates, ensuring adherence to the highest standards of safety and protection against harm or exploitation. These meticulous procedures reflect HEKS/EPER’s unwavering dedication to fostering secure environments for the most vulnerable.

HEKS/EPER is equally committed to the principles of diversity, equality, and inclusion. We endeavour to cultivate an inclusive and supportive workplace where all employees feel valued, respected, and empowered to reach their full potential.

Role Overview: 

The GBV Case Worker (WGSS) plays a critical role in offering direct support, case management, and psychosocial services to vulnerable women, girls, and GBV survivors in Kharkiv. This position involves some fieldwork, with approximately 40-50% of time spent on outreach activities in Kharkiv city and Kharkiv oblast. The case worker is also responsible for ensuring quality case management and may occasionally travel to other regions, such as Sumy and Donetsk oblast, depending on project needs or changing circumstances.

Roles and Responsibilities: 

The GBV Case Worker (WGSS) will provide the Protection (GBV and MHPSS) emergency assistance for the most vulnerable conflict-affected people in Ukraine. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Case Management Support

• Provide professional and confidential services to survivors of GBV, grounded in the HEKS-EPER’s holistic, survivor-centered case management approach, following the protocols including performing all steps of case management for GBV survivors.
• Ensure implementation of case management process, referrals, follow-up, and case closures (if and when appropriate) in a timely manner. 
• Fill in the case documents in a timely manner.
• Regular monitor with follow-up and progress reviews of GBV cases.
• Perform client-feedback survey with all GBV cases, at least twice per case (according to the procedures).
• Ensure a timely refer GBV survivors to the most appropriate services available (medical care, mental health and psychosocial support, legal counselling and assistance, safe shelter and livelihood opportunities, etc.) according to survivors needs.
• Support in the identification, assessment, and implementation of cash-based interventions as complementary services to Case Management.
• Conduct educational and awareness-raising group sessions on gender-based violence.
• Ethically and confidentially collect and store GBV data. 
• Support the coordination of provision of services by other specialized service providers in accordance with the needs of individuals and families.  
• Ensure appropriate monitoring, review, and follow up of the services provided to cases. 
• Facilitate, collect and report information regarding the overall situation of vulnerable and women and girls at risk. 
• Support in identifying and selecting beneficiaries for dignity kits distribution, also support in distribution.

Psychosocial Support: 

• Provide individual and group psychosocial support activities inside women and girls safe space located in Kharkiv and in communities in Kharkiv region.
• Schedule activities on weekly basis and sharing it with Team Leader and MHPSS Advisor for review, support, and verification.
• Provide first psychological support to survivors, if necessary.
• Participate in trainings to improve knowledge of MHPSS tools.

 Coordination

• Strengthen and maintain networks through other service providers to ensure that survivors receive compassionate support from the community and to encourage greater communication, collaboration and coordination among partners (protection, health, legal, and psychosocial sectors).
• Strengthen and maintain networks with community leaders, women leaders, service providers and camp management to ensure that survivors receive compassionate support from the community and to encourage greater communication, collaboration and coordination among partners (protection, health, legal, and psychosocial sectors)
• Conduct frequent field visits for the purpose of outreach, coordination and networking. 
• Work in collaboration with Community outreach worker to ensure ongoing needs of women and girls are being met through prevention-related activities.

Data management and reporting

• Record and maintain updated and accurate database of beneficiaries and delivered activities or services, either on the online database excel sheet or by using digital data software (CommCare). 
• Perform satisfaction/feedback survey with beneficiaries on a frequent basis.
• Ensure to always disseminate information with beneficiaries on the different feedback and complaints channels.
• Ensure to take adequate, consented and appropriate photographs of beneficiaries during activities.
• Manage, file and store data, ensuring the confidentiality of the information collected and the services provided. 
• Prepare and submit weekly and monthly work plans in a timely manner.
• Support with GBV needs and gaps assessment, safety audit, post-distribution monitoring and satisfaction survey.
• Case worker will report directly to Protection Officer (GBV Focal Point).
• Adhere to strict data protection and information-sharing protocols to protect the privacy, confidentiality, and safety of survivors.

 Role Competencies:

1. Professional Competencies:
   1. University degree in psychology, social work or a related degree.
   2. At least one year of previous experience in assisting GBV survivors and vulnerable women/girls, social protection and community engagement.
   3. Knowledge and understanding of health and social protection system of Ukraine.
   4. Experience with operationalizing GBV principles, knowledge of international humanitarian standards for GBV prevention and response. 
   5. Fluency in Ukrainian and basic knowledge of English is desirable.
   6. Proficiency in IT skills, including Google and Microsoft office applications (Word, Excel, Google Form, PowerPoint, etc.).
2. Behavioural Competencies: 
   1. Empathy, communication skills, and active listening.
   2. Time Management, conflict resolution, and emotional resilience.
   3. Adaptability and stress tolerance.
   4. Learnability.