Job opportunity in Cameroon: Psychosocial worker|Plan International in Lagdo-Garoua

deadline: 9 December 2021

Location: Lagdo, Cameroon

Company: Plan International

The Organisation

Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organisation that advances children’s rights and equality for girls.

We believe in the power and potential of every child. But this is often suppressed by poverty, violence, exclusion and discrimination. And it’s girls who are most affected.

Working together with children, young people, our supporters and partners, we strive for a just world, tackling the root causes of the challenges facing girls and all vulnerable children.

We support children’s rights from birth until they reach adulthood. And we enable children to prepare for – and respond to – crises and adversity. We drive changes in practice and policy at local, national and global levels using our reach, experience and knowledge.

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We have been building powerful partnerships for children for over 80 years, and are now active in more than 70 countries.

Post title:             Psychosocial worker                                Number of position: 01        
Department:        Program      
Contract Type:    Service Work Contract        
Duration:             12 months        
Duty Station:        Lagdo, in the North Region        
Reports to:           Gender Advisor

Purpose:      The Child Protection/Gender Based Violence (CP/GBV) Social/Case worker will be responsible for providing GBV psychosocial assistance services in line with child protection assistance guidelines for best interests of the child, confidentiality, do no harm and child participation. The case worker will work closely with women /girls and children including Unaccompanied and Separated Children and other vulnerable children at risk of and survivors of violence, abuse, exploitation and neglect, providing case management services in line with Plan’s Standard Operating procedures, and Global minimum standards of child protection case management and GBV case management.

Social /Case Worker (Service Provider or Staff): Responsible for supervising the activities of Community Focal Points, provide training on Child Protection and GBV Community Based Mechanisms (CP/GBVCBM), support women of CP/GBVCBM to counsel girls on sexuality related issues, follow-up identified cases needing psychosocial support and supervise the radio programs. Liaison between the Community Focal Point and Gender Specialist.

The Social Worker will provide regular reports on program activities in his/her zone of intervention on a weekly/monthly basis to the Gender Advisor. He/she will be responsible for consolidating monitoring data from the zone allocated to him/her. The Social Worker will also provide support to Community Focal Point in making referrals to local protection agencies.

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Major Responsibilities:

•    The Social/Case worker will assume full responsibility to assess the level of risk that children are exposed to, and the risk factors to GBV and immediately report any cases that could evolve into high risk cases to the direct line Supervisor (Case Management Officer/Gender Advisor).
•    Identify, prioritize, assess and provide psychosocial support to children at risk of violence, abuse, exploitation and neglect and GBV survivors
•    Monitor and report child protection and GBV issues and violations in assigned communities or zone.
•    Provide case management services in line with the National Standard Operating Procedures for GBV case management in line with GBV IMS & Global Child Protection Case Management Guidelines.
•    Take at least 25 identified CP cases of vulnerable children from Initial Assessment to Case Closure using the Inter-Agency Case Management forms during the project performance period.
•    Provide psychosocial support and adequate referrals to consentful GBV survivors
•    Ensure that children are followed up and receiving proper case management and that cases are prepared for case discussions/case management meetings
•    Ensure regular case management meetings and conferences are conducted to reflect on progress and to accommodate the lessons learned and improve case management system accordingly; [participate in Best Interest Determination as appropriate.
•    Be proactive in identifying opportunities to better support children through facilitating processes, systems etc.
•    Ensure adequate alternative care services: Seek to understand traditional care strategies for Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children (UASC) including potential protection risks linked to these. Assess the capacity of the community to absorb children that need care and the complementary support that is potentially required.
•    Mobilize community leaders and community-based organizations (such as foster parents’ groups) to support alternative care.
•    Provide psychosocial support for children in care, parents and caregivers
•    Provide parents and caregivers with information on child psychosocial distress, and on how they can support their children to recover, as well as access services.
•    Establish regular structured recreational activities led by community volunteers/Community focal points and coordinate these with other activities. This may include child friendly spaces, ensuring that age and gender-sensitive activities are developed and implemented for children and adolescents.
•    Work with other sectors and partners to ensure that they consider the protection and wellbeing of children and assist them to make their services child-friendly and accessible.
•    Ensure full responsibility & accountability –for maintaining, drafting and updating reports which include case management reports and field activities report.
•    Promotes and ensures the principles of child protection, GBV support and child participation are respected within the Plan International projects and with identified child protection resources at field level.
•    Support training and orientation of CPC members, Community Focal Points and Foster families on child protection, SGBV and positive parenting.
•    Collaborate with the D.O to conduct referral pathway/ GBV Platforms quarterly meetings at the Divisional level with protection actors (MINPROFF, MINAS, Police, Gendarmerie, District hospitals, Justice, partner NGOs etc…)
•    Organize referral pathway quarterly meetings at the community level with community-based organizations, the gender/protection committee and Plan International Cameroon
•     In collaboration with community leaders, and institutional partners, the Social Worker (Social and Community Assistance Officer) will identify GBV-affected survivors and other vulnerable girls and boys who respectively match a clearly defined eligibility criterion for social assistance
•    Facilitate the provision of startup kits will be given to survivors of GBV.                                      
•    Periodically monitor the use of the support provided to target beneficiaries in collaboration with partners (MINPROFF, MINJEC, MINAS etc.).
•    Train target beneficiaries on gender equality, safeguarding, entrepreneurship and leadership.
•    In collaboration with MINAS and MINPROF, conduct a close supervision and animation of women centers and the mobile units in their respective duty stations. 
•    In collaboration with MINPROFF and MINAS, create where appropriate gender clubs and monitor activities of the different clubs monthly
•    Provide psychosocial support to GBV survivors and Child Protection issues
•    Contribute to the organization of special event
•    Contribute to all gender activities conducted in their duty station
•    Collect GBV/CP data of gender/child protection activities conducted

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Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning

•    Ensure CP/GBV risk assessment is done for assigned zone
•    Ensure all child protection concerns are addressed and also participate in case management meetings.
•    Ensure the action plans of Girl/Boys clubs, is adequately followed and implemented
•    Report on opportunities and constraints and any adjustments needed in the project.
•    Ensure assessment, documentation, good follow up of all referred cases and report accordingly;
•    Follow-up survivors from GBV/child abuses, identification and evaluations of their needs
•    Give feedback on the project during community meetings with beneficiaries and Community leaders a month.
•    Ensure Children and Young People Safe Guarding Policy of Plan International Cameroon and Gender and inclusion are respected by all and applied in all interventions
•    Always comply with Plan International’s Fraud Policy to safeguard and protect Plan’s assets and reputation.
•    Supervise and keep good ongoing mentorship and life skills activities in their CEFIFE (Women Centers) and Mobile units in communities
Information and Co-ordination

•    Provide regular weekly updates with inputs from all Community Animators 
•    Submit monthly reports to Gender advisor on activities implemented.
•    With the permission from the Gender Specialist/CPTO can represent Plan in CP/GBV stake holder meetings.

Human Resources and Administration

•    Participate in the training and briefing of animators and partners and Community Focal Points and other key stakeholders on CP and/or related issues when required

Dealing with Problems

•    Maintain neutrality while doing resolving conflicts.
•    The job requires intense interventions on the field, in areas partially at risk. This requires prudence, vigilance and compliance with security instructions on the part of the animator.
•    Excellent and creative leadership skills will be utilized to properly implement the activities, in accordance with the standards, principles and with possible resistance from colleagues as is often the case in emergency response work
•    S/he should work under pressure and accept travels and lives in the area (i.e Ngong or Lagdo)
Key relationships

•    Keeps and maintain high contact with children, their families and communities
•    Maintains a high contact with other partners at the Divisional Delegation of Health, Social Affairs, Ministry of Women Empowerment and the Family, Basic Education, networks and other organizations.
•    Maintains high contact with local partners.
•    Gender Advisor (P4G)
Qualification and Experience

•    A university degree in social sciences, sociology, anthropology, psychology or Law, with at least 2 years of experience in Social Work 
•    Excellent written and verbal communication skills in French and English. Ability to speak the local language (fofulde) of the assigned zone will be an added advantage.
•    Has experience in working with children (boys and girls)
•    Will be a Resident in the assigned communities.
•    Should be able to ride on bike and own a category “A” driving license.

Skills
•    Timely and effective delivery of project activities and other outputs (reports, etc.)
•    Commitment to child protection, gender equality and participation
•    Skills in participatory assessment, recreational activities, informal education, life skills training and sensitization on child and adolescent protection and prevention of GBV.
•    Good computer skills (Microsoft Words, Excel, PowerPoint, Internet Explorer)
•    Ability to network with grassroots structures.
•    Competence in working with survivors of GBV/CP abuses, case management

Behaviors

•    Commitment and adherence to humanitarian values and standards,
•    Not been involved in any child protection issues
•    Demonstrates neutrality in the current socio-political crisis.
•    Works with trustworthiness and integrity
•    Resilience/Adaptability and flexibility: Ability to operate effectively under extreme circumstances including stress, high security risks, diverse cultural contexts and harsh living conditions. Works and lives with a flexible, adaptable and resilient manner.
•    Demonstrates awareness and sensitivity to gender and diversity.
•    Patient, adaptable, flexible, able to improvise and remain responsive under pressure.
PLAN INTERNATIONAL’S VALUES IN PRACTICE
We are open and accountable
•    Promotes a culture of openness and transparency, including with sponsors and donors.
•    Holds self and others accountable to achieve the highest standards of integrity.
•    Consistent and fair in the treatment of people.
•    Open about mistakes and keen to learn from them.
•    Accountable for ensuring we are a safe organisation for all children, girls & young people
We strive for lasting impact
•    Articulates a clear purpose for staff and sets high expectations.
•    Creates a climate of continuous improvement, open to challenge and new ideas.
•    Focuses resources to drive change and maximise long-term impact, responsive to changed priorities or crises.
•    Evidence-based and evaluates effectiveness.
We work well together
•    Seeks constructive outcomes, listens to others, willing to compromise when appropriate.
•    Builds constructive relationships across Plan International to support our shared goals.
•    Develops trusting and ‘win-win’ relationships with funders, partners and communities.
•    Engages and works well with others outside the organization to build a better world for girls and all children.

We are inclusive and empowering    
•    Seeks constructive outcomes, listens to others, willing to compromise when appropriate.
•    Builds constructive relationships across Plan International to support our shared goals.
•    Develops trusting and ‘win-win’ relationships with funders, partners and communities.
•    Engages and works well with others outside the organization to build a better world for girls and all children.

Closing Date:  09th December 2021

CLICK HERE TO APPLY

Equality, diversity and inclusion is at the very heart of everything that Plan International stands for.

We want Plan International to reflect the diversity of the communities we work with, offering equal opportunities to everyone regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.

Plan International is based on a culture of inclusivity and we strive to create a workplace environment that ensures every team, in every office, in every country, is rich in diverse people, thoughts, and ideas.

We foster an organisational culture that embraces our commitment to racial justice, gender equality, girls’ rights and inclusion.

Plan International believes that in a world where children face so many threats of harm, it is our duty to ensure that we, as an organisation, do everything we can to keep children safe. This means that we have particular responsibilities to children that we come into contact with and we must not contribute in any way to harming or placing children at risk.

A range of pre-employment checks will be undertaken in conformity with Plan International’s Safeguarding Children and Young People policy. Plan International also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this scheme we will request information from applicants previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.

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