The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. The IRC leads the way from harm to home.

The International Rescue Committee has been working in Somalia since 2006, providing essential services to conflict and disaster affected communities. The IRC has been operational in Central Somalia (Mudug and Galgadud regions) and Mogadishu implementing interventions in the areas of livelihood, WASH, Governance and peacebuilding, GBV, Nutrition, education and health reaching out to more than 200,000 conflict and drought affected people.

SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Case Worker will provide psychosocial support, basic case management support to survivors of gender-based violence through individual counseling follow up support, referrals and dissemination of information on available GBV services to encourage access to services. She/he will in collaboration with the Response Officer oversee provision of psychosocial /group support, skills building, information sessions and other recreational activities that promote social support networks and cohesion with women and girls at the women and girls centers/safe spaces.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

GBV Case Management

• Provide direct support and care for adult and child survivors of gender-based violence, including counselling and case management.
• Physically accompany GBV survivors if requested to access medical and other services according.
• Conduct direct and regular follow up of GBV survivors through home visits and based on survivors wishes and consent.
• Ensure proper documentation of reported GBV incidences through utilization of GBVIMS case intake, action, follow up and other case management forms appropriately.
• Follow GBV guiding principles of respect, confidentiality, and safety/security and non- discrimination while providing services to women and girls.
• Monitor how the GBV referral pathway is working through making direct follow ups with other organizations that are providing services to survivors.

Psychosocial Support/ Safe Spaces

• Plan and organize psychosocial support activities with women and adolescent girls at the safe spaces.
• Work with women and girls in the community to identify their needs, interests and priorities as relevant to the context, adapt activities according to these to ensure activities offered are culturally appropriate and meet the needs of women and girls.
• Support the management of GBV hotline.
• Support Response Officer to conduct trainings to community-based volunteers on GBV basic concepts, guiding principles, provision of Psychosocial First Aid and the referral mechanisms and pathways for their respective communities.

Outreach and Community Mobilization

• Work with communities, particularly women’s groups, female community leaders, and informal leaders, to identify context-appropriate approaches and networks of community-based focal points for the provision of basic PSS.
• In collaboration with community volunteers/workers, conduct awareness raising activities on GBV and its health consequences, promoting available services to women and girls, and addressing the stigma preventing women and girls from accessing support and services with activities for female only group.
• Lead sessions to increase awareness on the consequences of GBV, promote available services to women and girls and address stigma preventing access to services at the women centers.
• In collaboration with the WPE team, participate in meetings with community leadership structures when necessary to advocate for the needs of women and girls, and encourage their participation in GBV prevention and response activities in the communities.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Secondary education.
• Certificate in counseling/social work/psychology or related field preferred.
• Diploma in similar fields would be an added advantage.

Skills and Experience

• Excellent listening and observation skills.
• Counseling and training experience, including experience working with women and girls.
• Current/ previous volunteer work in women’s group, girls clubs or other relevant experience is an added advantage.
• Ability to facilitate trainings and sessions, including group support activities with women and girls.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and respect for clients at all times is essential.
• Positive and professional attitude, able to organize, maintain composure and prioritize work under pressure, work overtime when necessary and be able to coordinate multiple tasks and maintain attention to detail.
• Ability to communicate in English and or local dialects spoken in Garowe.
• Ability to keep records and write simple and basic reports of activities would be an added advantage