IRC Tanzania: Job Description

Job Title:               Psychosocial officer

Reports to:             WPE/GBV Supervisor
Location:              Nduta in Kibondo district or Mtendeli in Kakonko district, Tanzania

Grade:          

BACKGROUND:

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) Tanzania is present in the Kigoma Region, Northwestern Tanzania, providing services in one remaining refugee camp in Kasulu District and at a transit centre in Kigoma town.  Approximately 65,000 Congolese receive protection and basic assistance in the areas of education, Child Protection, Community-based Rehabilitation (care for disabled), Vulnerable Care, Youth & Development and Women’s Protection and Empowerment/Gender-Based Violence (WPE/GBV). However following reported continued insecurity in Burundi, though on a reduced arrival rate, asylum seekers continue arriving In Tanzania on a daily basis. More than 90,969 Burundian refugees have arrived in Tanzania since early May 2015 and are living in Nyarugusu. These compounds on the already exceeding number of refugees hosted in Nyarugusu refugee camp. Nyarugusu camp is now hosting more than 150,000 refugees, which is three times more than the required number expected per camp. The government of the United Republic of Tanzania has officially announced new camp sites to host Burundian refugees, namely Mtendeli, Nduta and Karago. Relocation plan of the identified refugees is still on progress. Initial planning figure is to relocate 50,000 Burundian refugees by December 2015 in two phases. Phase one will be relocation to new sites, Nduta and Mtendeli and is scheduled to start on 1st October 2015 while phase two will start next year 2015.
 Scope of work
This position will be responsible for providing response services to survivors of GBV in one of the Burundian camps in Nduta or Mtendeli in close coordination with partners in the GBV referral network.The position is based in the camp and reports to the WPE/GBV supervisor.
Key Responsibilities:               

Case management/Psychosocial support
-       Provide professional psychosocial and confidential services to survivors of GBV, grounded in the IRC’s holistic, survivor-centered case management approach.
-       Facilitate access sexual assault survivors access to clinical care at the support centers
-       Ethically and confidentially document client information through accurate filling of IRC provided intake forms and ensure confidential and safe storage
-       Support the maintenance of the IRC’s case management system by maintaining client confidentiality
-       Regularly update the GBVIMS data base with information collected in the intake forms during case assessment and action plan
Monitoring and evaluation
-       Participate in interpretation of the analyzed data on GBV reporting trends to inform intervention areas 
-       Participate in the development of case management monitoring systems and ensure consistent use and application
-       Participate in preparation of relevant reports regarding the IRC’s psychosocial activities.
Trainings and capacity building
-       Provide ongoing couching and mentorship to refugee para-counsellors supporting case management services.
-       Identify and build the capacity of community based groups to provide ongoing psychosocial support to GBV survivors to facilitate their long term recovery
-       Participate in capacity building of other service providers and community based structures to ensure that survivors receive compassionate support

Coordination and Advocacy
§  Make timely consent based interagency referrals for survivors in need of other services and follow-up
§  Participate in the interagency case review meetings as need be
§  Follow-up with service providers, community based support groups and the survivors themselves to ensure GBV survivors receive timely support
§  Coordinate discrete home visits by the refugee para-counsellors that minimize potential risks to survivors and the involved staff.
§  Strengthen and maintain networks with community leaders, women leaders, service providers and camp management to ensure that survivors receive compassionate support from the community
§  Participate in psychosocial assessment of women registering for women centre activities and support the women empowerment supervisor to run group therapy and psycho education activities at the women centre
§  Coordinate other support services for individual survivors with other team members such as the legal officer for those in need of legal aid.
Administrative
  • Maintain transparent and accountable records of beneficiaries issued with non-food items
  • Identify material needs of GBV survivors and initiate purchase requests to respond to the needs in line with approved budgets.
  • Managing assets/inventory assigned to the support centers 

General responsibilities:
§  Attend and participate in relevant trainings identified.
§  Follow any new procedures and guidelines designated in circulars from Country Director.
§  Report any violations of the IRC Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Code of Conduct (Tanzania and worldwide) as per the IRC Tanzania reporting mechanism. The reporting of violations is an obligation on the part of all staff members.
§  Assist where necessary in undertaking activities that aim to prevent the occurrence of sexual abuse and exploitation of refugees by IRC and other humanitarian workers.
§  Represent IRC at interagency meetings as assigned.
§  Assist in control and proper usage of materials/stationeries and other items relating to work.
§  Perform other duties as may be assigned by your supervisor. Ensure all activities are carried out in accordance with IRC operational policies.
§  All IRC staff are required to adhere to The IRC Way Standards for Professional Conduct and the IRC country employment policies.

REQUIREMENTS:
§  Bachelors Degree in counseling and/or psychology. Diploma holders with extensive work experience will also be considered.
§  Minimum 2 years of direct psychosocial/counseling experience with a reputable agency; experience working with survivors of violence preferred.
§   Clear understanding of gender, abuse of power, and issues surrounding violence against women
§  Able to maintain confidentiality, counseling ethics and uphold the rights of GBV survivors at all times.
§  Positive, highly motivated, innovative, with strong organizational and inter-personal skills.
§  Able to work as part of a team.
§  Strong knowledge of computer applications, including MS Word and Excel.
§  Willing to work in a remote location.
§  Fluency in Swahili and English, knowledge of French or Kirundi  a plus.
§  Female candidates preferred.

How to apply:
Applications for the position must include:
         i.            A cover letter illustrating your suitability for the position against the listed requirements.
        ii.            Detailed curriculum vitae showing contact address, email, and day-time mobile phone number(s) and three (3) referees, ONE being your last employer.
      iii.            ONLY copies of academic and professional certificates.
All applications should be sent to:
 Bonnie.Agae@rescue.org
Applications will be considered valid if sent/received before 1700hrs Monday, February 15th, 2016. Please note that only short-listed applicants meeting the above requirements will be contacted. This position is limited to Tanzania national only.
 Position Description Document (download)