Case Management Officer (only for national staff)

Case Management Officer

Kharkiv, Ukraine

ROLE PURPOSE :

Under the overall supervision of Case Management Coordinator and technical guidance of the PDQ Case Management Specialist, the CP Case Management Officer (CMO) will support the design and implementation of the overall Case Management program in Kharkiv and surrounding areas. The CMO will be focused on either direct implementation of case management by Save the Children, supporting partner-led implementation, or a combination of direct and partner-led. The CMO will be responsible for coordination, supervision, and support for the case workers (SC Ukraine job title: Case Managers), other relevant staff and service providing agencies/ sectors in the Case Management Process. S/he will work in close collaboration with Child Protection Officers and MHPSS Officers, as well as counterparts within the Government of Ukraine social workforce, and across SCI sectors to ensures that the case management response complements and contributes to strengthening Ukrainian government Social Workforce functions and capacity.

The CMO will be responsible for managing SC Ukraine’s emergencies response case management programme in Kharkiv. S/he will supervise a team of SC Case Managers provide holistic and comprehensive case management services to the most vulnerable and at-risk children inside Ukraine, including those who may have experienced institutionalization: identification, registration, care plan establishment, referrals, direct service provision, progress monitoring and case closure. With technical guidance from PDQ CP/CM Advisors and Specialist, and in coordination with the Case Management Task Force, the CMO will also be responsible for implementing Save the Children and partners’ family tracing and reunification (FTR) and alternative care package inside Ukraine and cross border (if relevant), and as well as acting as an internal and external CM and FTR point of contact in the location in which they are assigned.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

Key Area 1: Supervision and management of child protection case management services

• Supervises Caseworkers from SC and partners (if needed). Maintain transparent and diplomatic collaboration with Government of UKRAINE in coordination with the CM Coordinator, maintains open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and provide oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their roles.
• Provide guidance on the identification, assessment, documentation, case planning, service provision and referral and follow-up of at-risk children and families. Ensure that the implementation of Case Management adhered to the Child Protection Minimum Standards (CPMS) and Step to Protect CA standards and IA SoP and that child participation is at the center of the process.
• Ensure case management services and alternative care are provided in line with the SCI Ukraine and CPSS/IA Case Management Guidelines and Standards
• In collaboration with other sectors, support outreach and awareness raising activities to identify vulnerable children according to agreed vulnerability criteria.
• While tracing is ongoing, support Caseworkers to initiate interim, family based alternative care arrangements for Unaccompanied and Separated Children (UASC), including foster care, supported independent living.
• Oversee the appropriate identification and screening, as well as follow up and monitoring, for foster families/alternative family-based care.
• Develop performance objectives with all Caseworkers and provide regular feedback, one-to-one supervision meetings and performance reviews. Conduct regular case file audit and check that protocols and principles are respected. Review the case planning and follow up of cases, and ensure all cases are managed within acceptable timeframes based on case prioritisation criteria.
• Provide technical support to Caseworkers on complex child protection cases. Utilizing the IA Case Management Supervision and Coaching tools, facilitate weekly case management meetings with all Case Managers/Caseworkers including review of vulnerabilities in context and prioritization matrix.
• Review staff caseloads to ensure they are manageable and in line with IA standards; facilitate peer support and share challenges with senior management.
• Monitor timescales for response, decision-making, placement, follow-up and review. Ensure internal referral mechanisms (with other sectors) are in place and cases are appropriately managed and followed up when referred
• Review and analyse trends in the caseload to inform programming.
• Identify information gaps/needs, such as for families on the move referring to the service providers on how to better protect their children
• Support the Case Management Coordinator in identifying training needs of the CM workforce and support the ongoing capacity building of Caseworkers, partners as well as cross-team collaboration.
• Promote and facilitate Caseworkers access to support to their own wellbeing
• Ensure that major challenges encountered by CM team are flagged early and addressed in an appropriate way.
• Support the development and maintenance of an up-to-date a map of existing services and community supports to which children and families can be referred. Build collaborative relationships with organisations, community members and service providers at the field level and support Caseworkers to ensure effective referral pathways and collaboration.

Key Area 2: Program support, External and internal coordination and representation

• Ensure timely completion and submission of monthly timesheets, probations reviews and annual performance reviews.
• Assist with the recruitment of Caseworkers and/or support partner recruitment and onboarding
• Supports implementation and adherence to grant work plans, spending plans and monitoring and evaluation plans.
• As agreed with the CM Coordinator, proactively participate and represent SC in the CPSS (child protection sub sector). Coordinate with other agencies offering case management services to children on referral and transfer of cases
Ensure constant and transparent communication and collaboration with relevant stakeholders, including community members, community leaders and families.

Key Area 3: Data management and data protection principles

• Ensure that Caseworkers respect confidentiality and follow ethical guidelines
• Ensure that files, registers and computer databases are used in an appropriate and correct manner and ensure Caseworkers adhere to the DP ISP.
• Work closely with the CPIMS Officer to prepare for the implementation of the Inter-Agency Child Protection Information Management System
• Ensure the case management tracker is kept up-to-date; that accurate forms and files are completed, utilizes and stored in line with data protection protocols
• Work closely with MEAL team, provide support to develop and implement appropriate monitoring, evaluation and learning systems for child protection interventions (in line with Steps to Protect quality standards), ensure links to report requirements.
Prioritize development and rollout of child-friendly feedback tools for case management that document satisfaction and ensure accountability of the quality of case management.

SKILLS AND BEHAVIOURS (our Values in Practice)

Accountability:

• Holds self-accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values
• Holds the team accountable to deliver on their responsibilities - giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved.

Ambition:

• Sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves (and their team), takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages others to do the same

• Widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others
• Future orientated, thinks strategically.

Collaboration:

• Builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, Members and external partners and supporters
• Values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength
• Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to.

Creativity:

• Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions
• Willing to take disciplined risks.

Integrity:

Honest, encourages openness and transparency.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s Degree in social work, social anthropology, or another relevant discipline
• At least 2 years’ experience within a development organization
• At least 1 year experience in the field of Case Management or child protection in general.
• Experience working with vulnerable and at-risk groups
• Experience in managing field staff
• Experience in providing/ facilitating training, meeting
• Has good working knowledge on using MS Office
• Planning and organising, analytical thinking, problem solving and decision making.
• Ability to speak, write and understand English

We offer:

• Official employment
• International working conditions
• Working day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m
• Location of the office in the center of Kharkiv

Additional job responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities as set out above are not exhaustive and the role holder may be required to carry out additional duties within reasonableness of their level of skills and experience.

Equal Opportunities

The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with the SCI Equal Opportunities and Diversity policies and procedures.

Child Safeguarding:

We need to keep children safe so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.

Health and Safety

The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with SCI Health and Safety policies and procedures.