Protection and Rule of Law Case Worker

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the worlds largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 50 countries and more than 25 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If youre a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future. Duty station: Odesa

Key working relationships:

• Position Reports to: Protection Case Manager
• Internal collaborations within IRC: Protection and Rule of Law Manager, Community Mobilizers, Senior Protection and Information Officer, Protection Information Management Officer, Sr Legal Officer, Legal Officers
• External collaborations to IRC: Protection and information services actors, MHPSS organizations and agencies

Job Overview/Summary:
The Case Worker will be responsible for providing direct support and care for persons at risk, including case management and unstructured psychosocial support. The Case Worker will be supervised by the Protection Case Manager to ensure qualitative and effective case management and will be based in Odesa with frequent travels to Mykolaiv oblast.

Specifically, the case worker will be responsible for:

Programme implementation
Case Management and Psychosocial Support

• Identify and receive referrals regarding individuals and families who require support who are detected during registration, psychosocial, outreach and other activities
• Conduct household visits and center-based interviews to assess the needs of individuals and families.
• Provide information to individuals and families about their rights and entitlements, including what services and are available (including beyond the scope of services provided by IRC).
• Work with identified individuals and families to develop and implement an action plan in accordance with their needs, capacities and goals.
• Offer individuals and families’ choices and options, including seeking out alternatives when the needed services are not available, and actively involve individuals and/or families in decision making that will affect them.
• Assess risk and support individuals and families to understand risks relevant to their situation.
• Link individuals and families with support groups and networks, and other community-based resources, as appropriate.
• Directly provide psychosocial counseling and 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 structured group psychosocial assistance tailored to the needs of the community.
• Refer cases that require additional MHPSS interventions through appropriate referral pathways

Data management and reporting

• 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 for the Senior Case Management Officer’s validation.
• Support the implementation of monitoring and evaluation tools and report on problems in the implementation of the program.
• Participate in weekly reporting and planning meetings to ensure adherence to standards of care, quality case management and reporting requirements.

Coordination and representation

• Contribute to the maintenance of an up-to-date service mapping of the service providers operating in the area and take proactive steps to remain informed about the available services.
• Receive cases referred from other agencies (following case allocation by the Senior Case Management Officer). Provide feedback of actions taken to other agencies, when necessary and appropriate in light of confidentiality requirements.
• Lobby on behalf of individuals and families to access services and support individuals and families to effectively represent their views, needs and capacities in all meetings affecting them.

Requirements:

• Language: Bilingual in Ukrainian and Russian and verbal and writing skills in English desired.
• Bachelor/Degree in Social work, Counseling, Psychology or other related field.
• Minimum of 2 years of relevant work experience in \, psychosocial support/psychology, in clinical and/or direct practice settings.
• Knowledgeable in and has used the IASC MHPSS guidelines and best practices as part of their previous work experience.
• Excellent communication skills
• Demonstrated understanding of and ability to maintain confidentiality and respect for clients
• Positive and professional attitude, including ability to lead and work well in a team setting
• High degree of flexibility and strong ability to organize work, meet deadlines, maintain composure, prioritize work under pressure, coordinate multiple tasks and maintain attention to detail
• Computer literate, including Microsoft Word and Excel

PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS
IRC builds diverse and inclusive teams of professionals who promote team engagement, inclusion and cohesion, critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity to deliver the best possible services to our clients.

The International Rescue Committee is determined to protect the people it serves, its staff and any person associated from all kinds of harm, abuse, and violence, including sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment. It is committed to taking all necessary preventive measures and creating an environment where people feel safe and can report misconduct. IRC workers must adhere to the core values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. The IRC also operates and enforces a set of complementary institutional policies to protect clients and staff from harm and abuse through the Adult and Child Safeguarding policies, the Respect at Work and Harassment-free Workplace policies, the Anti-retaliation and Reporter Protection policy, which are complemented by the IRC Global Reporting guidelines. These commitments are accessible in English and in Ukrainian language via this link: https://rescue.box.com/v/irc-safeguarding-policies.

Where misconduct is alleged, IRC follows a Zero-tolerance approach and takes all necessary actions and corrective measures. The IRC investigation unit comprises of experts and trained investigators that ensures professional survivor-centered investigations are conducted if allegations of safeguarding violations are reported through the safe and accessible reporting channels that IRC makes available to its staff, partners, and clients. IRC is also an active member of the Inter-Agency Working Group on Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) set-up in Ukraine.

Commitment to Gender, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion: The 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 the IRC persons in any work setting. We aim to increase the representation of women, people who are from country and communities we serve, and people who identify as races and ethnicities that are under-represented in global power structures.

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.

Equal Opportunity Employer: We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of 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.

Standard of Professional Conduct:The IRC and the 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.
Commitment to Gender, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion: The 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 the IRC persons in any work setting. We aim to increase the representation of women, people that are from country and communities we serve, and people who identify as races and ethnicities that are under-represented in global power structures.