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

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the most acute humanitarian crises in the world, helps victims of conflicts and disasters to restore health, increase the level of security, education, economic well-being and enable them to move on. Founded in 1933 at the urging of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (NGOs), working in more than 40 countries and more than 25 US cities to help people survive, regain control of their own futures, and build their communities. IRC employees are a force of humanity. They achieve long-term results by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions of people. If you are passionate about change, looking for solutions and passionate about making them happen, join us. Together, we can change the lives of millions of people around the world for the better.

JOB INFORMATION

This position is full-time based in the Dnipro office with regular on-site travel.

Under the guidance of a Senior Child Protection Specialist (CP), the Child Protection Social Worker will be responsible for providing case management services (CM) to a specified 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 Child Protection Social Worker will be based in Dnipro and report to the Senior Child Protection Specialist (CP).

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide individual case management for eligible children in accordance with agreed interagency case management steps, protocols and associated tools and procedures such as as:
• Conducting initial assessment of CP cases and prioritization based on level of risk;
• Conducting comprehensive assessments of CP cases; developing case management plans that take into account the needs identified during the initial and comprehensive assessment of CP cases and contacting the supervisor for necessary support; 
• Providing basic counseling and psychosocial support; 
• Redirect and accompany children who need it to more specialized services;
• Reregularly monitor whether all the services and activities listed in the plan for working with the child are implemented within the agreed time frame. Provide regular progress reviews;
• 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.
• Maintain CP referral protocols and guidelines; if problems are identified in this matter, report them to the specialist and senior specialist of the child protection department.
• Promote 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 activities and events on the development of life 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 to supervisor.
• Ensure accuracy, completeness/thoroughness and confidentiality data entry regarding case management and data storage. 
• Complete weekly activity reports as directed by Child Protection Officer.
• Communicate regularly with Senior Child Protection Officer.

Coordination and Representation:

• Attend case management meetings regularly, including local conferences. 
• Actively coordinate activities with staff of other IRC divisions 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.
• Consequently and proactively monitor the safety and security of field teams by promptly reporting issues or incidents to IRC management and liaising with other external parties as necessary to maintain/enhance a safe environment.
• Promote and adhere to the IRC principles, values and code of conduct.
• Act both professionally and personally in a manner that bringsbenefit the IRC and not jeopardize its humanitarian mission.
• As necessary, provide written and oral translation at meetings, trainings and/or documentation for a better understanding of all employees.
• Perform any other tasks as requested by your manager to ensure and develop the IRC programs.
• Information sharing - regularly share and discuss with communities timely, accurate and relevant information in the national language about: - access and right for receiving services, - expected staff behavior and code of conduct, - community feedback, protection mechanisms and how to use them.
• Participation promotion - Identify and empower communities to participate in and manage programs - from assessment and development to monitoring and evaluation. Talk to communities about how they would like to be involved in the decision-making process and discuss with management how this can be facilitated.
• Gathering feedback and reporting - Create or facilitate the creation of a formal feedback mechanism in accordance with the organization's best practices to collect, monitor, respond to and act on feedback and complaints from communities.

OFFICERS REQUIREMENTS

Education:Higher education preferred in the field of social work, psychology, education, human rights, social sciences, humanities or other related field

Work experience:Minimum 1 year of experience implementing child protection programs, preferably in the field of social work, case management or psychosocial programs for children, humanitarian organizations or organizations that involved in development.

Essential skills and abilities:

• Demonstrated understanding of working with children, particularly vulnerable children and children at risk of harm.
• Positive and professional attitude, including the ability to lead and work well in a team.
• Ability to keep records and write simple and basic reports on activities.
• 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: Fluency in Ukrainian and Russian, basic English language skills are an advantage.

REPORTING STRUCTURE AND TEAMWORK

The Child Protection Social Worker reports to the Child Protection Senior Specialist and enters the necessary data into the IRC electronic systems in accordance with established procedures Works as part of a child protection team including social workers, senior professionals and psychosocial support specialists, and liaises with other IRC program units to provide comprehensive support for children and their families.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT AND OTHER ENVIRONMENTGENERAL INFORMATION

• This position involves full-time employment in the office in Dnipro with regular trips to locations in the field.
• Fast pace of work, multitasking and psychological pressure
• The organization takes care of the staff and offers a flexible work schedule (early start - early finish, later start - later finish)
• Employees can request to arrange a workplace. Specific requests are coordinated with the HR department. 

IRC employees can count on the following benefits:

• Competitive salary
• Work aimed at specific goals, growth prospects
• Life insurance
• Medical insurance for employees and their families
• Free psychological support for employees and their families
• 30 calendar days of annual leave from flexible conditions that are not limited to legally established minimum standards
• Up to 10 days of paid sick leave

PROFESSIONAL ETHICS

All employees of the International Rescue Committee must adhere to the basic values and principles set forth in IRC Way - Standards of Professional Conduct. Our standards are integrity, service, equality and accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies regarding protection, conflict of interest, financial integrity, whistleblowing and anti-retaliation. The IRC is committed to taking all necessary preventive measures and creating an environment where people feel safe, and to take all necessary measures and corrective measures in the event of harm. The IRC builds teams of professionals who promote critical thinking, power sharing, debate and objectivity to provide the best service to our clients.