Gender Based Violence/Psychosocial Support Officer At Plan International 142 views1 applications

Plan International was founded over 75 years ago with a mission to promote and protect the rights of children.

The organisation was set up by British journalist John Langdon-Davies and refugee worker Eric Muggeridge in 1937, with the original aim to provide food, accommodation and education to children whose lives had been disrupted by the Spanish Civil War.

Langdon-Davies conceived the idea of a personal relationship between a child and a sponsor – a model that puts the child at the centre, and remains the core of what we do.

Gender Based Violence/Psychosocial Support Officer (6 Months) 

Reports to
Gender Based Violence Project Coordinator Mubi

Purpose:
The GBV Officer will provide technical support and leadership required for the successful implementation of UNFPA project and will support the Case Workers in awareness raising activities, including the provision of information on available GBV and SRH services and facilitating referrals. The GBV officer will be responsible for providing training and mentoring to community volunteers in referring cases of GBV. This position is based in Mubi field office.

Dimensions of Role
Communicates within Plan International Nigeria and with partners and related government institutions. The post holder will directly implement the GBV and SRH activities interfacing with other programme team members. The post holder will also contribute towards the capacity building of Plan Internationals implementing partners, Case Workers and community volunteers.

Key End Results and typical Responsibilities

Program Development & Quality Management

• In collaboration with the Field Team and GBV/Project Coordinator, the GBV Officer will be responsible for the following:
• Ensure quality program planning and implementation with partner organizations.
• Ensure project activities and implementation is in line with objectives and objectives are achieved
• Produce high quality project activity reports and ensure reports are submitted on time.
• Ensure project activities are in line with IASC guide lines, minimum standards and best practices
• Participate in participatory community assessments and document lessons learnt to inform new proposals

Technical Skills

• Under the supervision of the GBV/Project Coordinator, provide technical oversight and capacity-building through training, mentorship and on-the-job support for case workers, community volunteers and adolescent peer groups on GBV and SRH awareness-raising and referrals.
• Strengthen and maintain networks with community leaders and groups and service providers to ensure that survivors receive compassionate support from the community and to encourage greater communication, collaboration and coordination among partners.
• Input into referral pathways to ensure a community perspective is included. Ensure referral pathways are shared and understood within the community.
• Supervise and lead the implementation of activities at the community psychosocial centers including the setting up of information and help desk
• Participate in development of monthly outreach plans with case workers and community volunteers, based on case trends and ongoing needs of women and girls, include strategies to reach women and girls who are more isolated/have special needs.
• Provide leadership and guidance regarding GBV and SRH activities to all Case Workers to ensure all program activities meet best practice standards as well as taking lead in male discussion sessions in Engaging Men through Accountable Practice.
• Assist with developing adequate project monitoring systems and help to ensure that Case Workers utilize these systems correctly and consistently and provide support where needed
• Ensure the implementation of an effective referral system at the interagency and community level to ensure survivors can access quality case management services in a timely manner.
• Lead case management of Gender Based Violence Cases and ensure proper documentation, assessment, case plan implementation, follow up and information management of all GBV cases.

Staff Supervision & Development

• Directly supervises partner Case Workers
• Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.
• Ensure timely completion and submission of regular program and staff reporting and annual performance reviews, as appropriate
• Assist with the recruitment of Case Workers and the identification of community volunteers.
• Ensure training, support and ongoing capacity building opportunities for Case Workers and volunteers on technical and project management skills.
• Provide evaluations on Case Workers performance in accordance with Plan Policies and Guidelines.
• Ensure that all Plan policies are upheld, as well as the IASC guidelines on Gender Based Violence and Sexual Reproductive Health and Right

Grant Planning & Implementation

• Produce monthly data and regular narrative reports for different stakeholders as well as donor narrative reports of high quality (in collaboration with line manager and the M&E Officer).
• Supports implementation and ensure adherence to monitoring and evaluation plans.

Monitoring & Reporting

• Initiate regular, participatory assessments/feedback surveys with client communities.
• Provide inputs into and consolidate bi-weekly, monthly and quarterly progress reports on the Case Management activities; Submit reports for all field activities, trainings and meetings.
• Maintain effective and efficient oversight, quality control and reporting systems and processes that ensure regular field monitoring and modifications as required.
• Contribute to high-quality Plan and donor reports on activities, indicators and achievements, as well as best practices and lessons learned.

Coordination & Representation

• Actively develop and maintain effective working relationships with key community stakeholders, government actors, UN agencies, international and local NGOs, and other relevant actors.
• Regularly attend CP sub-cluster and MHPSS Working group meetings at LGA levels to contribute to coordinator of case management responses and Psychosocial support across agencies.

Program Development

• Contribute to proposal development activities (narrative and budget) through the provision of information and data on community feedback on ongoing projects and assessment of emerging needs.
• Provide information on needs of women and children based on knowledge and understanding of the beneficiaries and communities.
• Facilitate dialogue and Focus Group Discussions with community based protection mechanisms and assess capacity gap and need

Other

• Consistently and proactively monitor/assess the safety and security of field teams; promptly reporting concerns or incidents to Plan management and liaising with community leaders and other external parties as required to maintain/enhance the security environment for Plan programs
• Other duties as assigned by the supervisor to enable and develop Plan programs

Human Resource Development
Supports the orientation, on-going development/training and builds capacity of local partner staff when required.

Learning and knowledge management

• Shares relevant information within the team establishing and supporting the proper documentation of activities
• Participates in global/regional projects/networks as requested.

Resource Mobilisation
Support resource mobilization efforts by participating in projects review, SWOT analysis and contribute relevant data and information that support proposal development

Dealing with Problems

• Ability to manage competing priorities and expectations from internal and external stakeholders and remain calm and resilient in the face of pressure.
• Manage multiple and work with distant colleagues to form a virtual efficient administration team;
• Use Plan procedures to settle conflicts among colleagues;
• Resolve problems that are not covered by established process.
• Analyse possible causes of problems and suggest solutions to get them resolved.
• Refer, whenever necessary, the case to the Child Protection in Emergencies Specialist for consideration.

Communications and Working Relationships:

• Working contacts inside and outside the organization; include the purpose and level (high, medium, low) of the contact
• Support the preparation of reports for domestic and international consumption.
• Provide timely responses concerning queries linked with relevant projects or programs.
• Report to the Child Protection specialist;
• Provide support to Plan International Nigeria’s program delivery and resource mobilization.
• Work with other members of the program units to ensure effective and efficient program delivery.

Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours Required to Achieve Role’s Objectives:

Knowledge:

Qualifications and Experience

• BA or equivalent in Social Science, Social Work, Psychology, Counselling, Public Health, Human Rights or related degree desired
• Minimum 2 years of direct psychosocial/counseling experience with a reputable agency; experience working with survivors of violence in emergency preferred.
• Strong ability to lead women centers and child friendly spaces preferred
• Strong background and understanding of adolescent reproductive sexual health and previous experience working with adolescents on SRH issues an preferred
• Clear understanding of gender, abuse of power, and issues surrounding violence against women and girls.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, medical ethics and respect for clients at all times. Experience in participatory techniques and community mobilization
• Strong ability to lead, train, facilitates and motivates others in their respective tasks in a professional, respectful and supportive manner.
• Knowledge and ability to speak Hausa and Kanuri is an added advantage
• Experience working with case files and databases and providing regular documentation preferred

Skills & Knowledge

• Demonstrated understanding of the skills necessary to work with children and adolescents particularly vulnerable children
• Demonstrated ability to solve problems, think and plan strategically, and communicate with key actors in a dynamic and unpredictable operating environment
• Strong skills in monitoring, evaluation, research and conducting participatory, community-led assessments.
• Knowledge of Sphere and established international child protection/GBV standards, methodology and tools
• Knowledge of community mobilization and facilitation techniques
• Computer skills (MS Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint)
• Ability and willingness to work in a participatory manner with a diverse range of client communities
• Personal qualities: Team player, clear communicator, flexible, network-builder, able to handle pressure well under minimal supervision, and a commitment to child rights and gender equality
• Languages: Fluency in English Kanuri and or Hausa is an added advantage

Behaviours:

• Creates strong sense of purpose and commitment within own part of operations and with stakeholders
• Holds self and others to account to deliver on agreed goals and standards of behaviour
• Demonstrates a high degree of professionalism/integrity
• Provides good and adequate administrative and logistical support to enable programmes to meet meets it’s agreed financial and program outcomes.
• Actively seeks for support in addressing difficulties in execution of duties.
• Strategic thinking and effective contribution to own work and Organisational development.
• Sound judgement and decision-making in complex situations
• Strong emotional intelligence including self-awareness.
• Leads by example to motivate high performance of others
• Very strong commitment to continuous learning

Physical Environment and Demands
Based in Mubi, Adamawa State with field visits to implement and supervise project activities.

Level of Contact with Children:
High contact- the job responsibilities of this position require the post holder to have very frequent contact with children. It is expected that children shall be protected at all times.