Psycho-social Support Coordinator (Fort Portal, Uganda) 299 views2 applications

The Need
International Justice Mission (IJM) is a global non-governmental human rights organization which protects the poor from violence by rescuing victims, bringing the criminals to justice, restoring survivors to safety and strength, and helping local law enforcement build a safe future that lasts.
International Justice Mission (IJM) Uganda is working in partnership with the government and other agencies to build capacity for the public justice system to provide justice for survivors of Violence against Women and Children (VAW/C), including intimate partner violence and forms of sexual violence.

IJM is seeking a talented Psychosocial Coordinator who is passionate about justice and highly motivated to use their skills and experience to effect positive change in our project area. The Psychosocial Coordinator will be part of a multi-disciplinary casework team working in Kabarole and Kamwenge districts and will play a central role in building the capacity of the justice and social welfare officials to respond to crimes of sexual violence against children (SVAC) in a trauma-informed and child-friendly manner.

This position is based in Fort Portal, Uganda, requires frequent travel within Kamwenge and Kabarole Districts and occasional travel to Kampala, Uganda. The position reports to the Fort Portal Office Manager.

Responsibilities

Psychosocial Support and Case Management

1. Provide mentoring and support to social welfare officers and justice officials to ensure that child survivors of sexual violence are provided trauma-informed protection and support throughout SVAC investigations and court proceedings, inclusive of (but not limited to) the following actions:
2. Within SVAC forensic interviewing processes for child survivors and witnesses;Within medico-legal forensic examinations; Within preparation, support, and debrief for court processes for survivors and witnesses; Within multi-disciplinary case coordination meetings; Assessment and response to child safety needs.
3. Provide mentoring and support to social welfare officers and other stakeholders to empower child survivors of sexual violence to restoration inclusive of (but not limited to) the following actions:
4. Conduct holistic assessments to evaluate survivor strengths and vulnerabilities, including the safety of the home environment;
5. Develop individualized care plans to address vulnerabilities and critical needs;
6. In accordance with care plans, coordinate psychosocial services for survivors, such as trauma-informed counseling, emergency medical care, and family support services;
7. Monitor and report on survivor progress towards defined psychosocial goals; and
8. Assess sustainable safety at the time of case closure.
9. Track all case-related data on paper and electronic case tracking management systems.

Networking and advocacy

• Build effective, trusting partnership relationships with justice system officials, social welfare officers, and other stakeholders within the district and national level.
• Work closely with stakeholders to strengthen the medico-legal response to SVAC by building linkages among justice officials, social welfare, police and health workers on forensic evidence collection, filling Police Form 3A, and preparation for court hearings;
• Develop and maintain close working relationships with District Action Center staff and other stakeholders to ensure effective case management and seamless provision of services to survivors of SVAC;
• Convene and provide leadership in multi-disciplinary meetings with a variety of government and non-government stakeholders, and support inter-institutional dialogue and coordination on cases of VAW/C; and
• Develop and maintain an effective network of contacts within the health, psychosocial, and community development space.

Training

• Ability to develop and deliver high-quality, professional training curriculum to multi-disciplinary stakeholders;
• Support joint training programs with the police, judiciary, social welfare, and medical staff on survivor-friendly SVAC interventions, including ethical and safety considerations for survivors of SVAC;
• Convene and provide leadership in multi-disciplinary meetings with a variety of government and non-government stakeholders, and support inter-institutional dialogue and coordination on cases of SVAC;
• Provide training on case management and service provision to District Action Center staff that incorporates elements of trauma-informed approaches.Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT);
• Train and mentor all stakeholders on the incorporation of child-friendly and trauma-informed approaches into their service delivery.

Information management, monitoring, and evaluation

• Analyze and document cases of SVAC that can contribute to updated case management protocols;
• Work with the internal team members to monitor and evaluate the project, including monitoring and reporting of project targets, results, and outputs;
• Perform other tasks as assigned by the Project Manager and other IJM leaders.

Development

• Participate in IJM programs in professionalism and Christian spiritual formation.

Required Skills and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in psychology, counseling or social work. Master’s degree preferred.
• Five or more years of experience in counseling, psychology or social work, including working with survivors of SVAC, indigent and otherwise vulnerable clients.
• Strong understanding of trauma and proven application of trauma-informed approaches within case management and/or clinical interventions.
• Proven ability to mentor, guide and coach multi-disciplinary stakeholders . Prior experience working with law enforcement or justice system officials preferred.
• Experience in networking and partnering with social service providers.
• Fluent in written and oral communication in English, with working knowledge of Rutooro, and Rukiga required.
• Excellent writing, documentation and reporting skills, including the ability to maintain digital records and generate high-quality reports on all casework interventions, stakeholder interactions, etc.
• Proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite with ability to quickly learn and consistently use other software systems for purposes of case management, M&E and documentation.

Critical Qualities

• Passionate commitment to IJM’s mission and values.
• Mature Christian faith.
• Attention to detail, organized and disciplined with priorities.
• Professional in demeanor, appearance, writing and oral communication.
• Works well under stress with a sustained positive attitude.
• Exceptionally high level of honesty and integrity.
• Intelligent, creative and proactive problem solver.

The Mission
To protect the poor from violence by rescuing victims, bringing the criminals to justice, restoring survivors to safety and strength, and helping local law enforcement build a safe future that lasts.