Project of interim reparative measures (IRM) for survivors of conflict-related sexual violence in Nigeria
Job Title: Psychosocial Caseworkers (Adamawa)
Contract duration: 18 months
Work time: Full-time position (100%)
Reporting to: CGE state coordinator with dotted lines to GSF focal person
Location: Adamawa (Mubi, Girei, Fufore)
Start date: April 1st, 2024
Application deadline: March 14, 2024
The above position is based with Global Survivors Fund (GSF) project implemented by the Centre for Girls Education (CGE) in north-eastern Nigeria. The recruited candidate will report to CGE’s State Coordinator in Adamawa and will have dotted reporting lines to the GSF Project Officer.
Background
The Global Survivors Fund (“GSF”) was launched in October 2019 by Dr Denis Mukwege and Nadia Murad, Nobel Peace Prize laureates 2018. Its mission is to enhance access to reparations for survivors of conflict-related sexual violence around the globe, thus responding to a gap long identified by survivors. GSF acts to provide interim reparative measures (IRM) in situations where states or other parties are unable or unwilling to meet their responsibilities. GSF advocates for duty bearers as well as the international community to develop reparations programmes. It also guides states and civil society by providing expertise and technical support for designing reparations programmes. GSF’s survivor-centric approach is the cornerstone of its work.
The Centre for Girls Education (CGE) began twelve years ago as a joint program of the OASIS Initiative, University of California, Berkeley and the Population and Reproductive Health Initiative, Ahmadu Bello University. The mission of the organization is to provide accessible education, vocational opportunities, and safe spaces, as well as health and social services to young girls and women in Nigeria.
Role Summary
The psychosocial caseworkers will provide support for survivors throughout the project lifespan. They will be in constant contact with the survivors and working in Adamawa. They will support and strengthen survivors, ensure continuous reporting of their accompaniments to, and with survivors for the interim reparations measures (IRMs). They will also contribute to the participation of the survivors in the IRM process. The key function of the psychosocial assistants is to participate in the operational co- management of the project with the survivors.
Responsibilities
- Support survivors in their journey back to mental, physical, economic, and social health by developing a framework of continuous trust with survivors.
- Be survivor-focused, always available to talk with survivors at their request, either through individual consultations or in focus groups, and always ensuring all actions are in the best interests of, and for the protection of survivors.
- Inform and guide survivors, and be a source of advice for any challenges on implementing interim reparations measures either from the survivors, or from others, including their community or family in the intervention areas. This is to be done by being an active, empathetic, and professional listener.
- Constantly follow-up on survivor’s participation in the project implementation and rigorously accompany the survivor to take advantage of the transformative agenda of the project.
- Conduct daily home visits for updates and interviews, if needed with the family, and for psychological follow-up of survivors.
- Participate in the identification of survivors and their IRM needs.
- Ensure the smooth running of the documentation system and the regular filling of the database for survivor referrals according to the tools developed.
- Identify local networks and available community services to establish a referral system.
- Record and report survivors’ clinical needs, consultations or activities and follow up on referrals made for survivors on all aspects of the IRM project.
- Facilitate workshops on various topics, including identifying signs of post-traumatic stress, or educational support as may be needed by the survivors.
- Identify and support training needs, both for survivors and for community care providers.
- Communicate promptly and effectively through regular reporting and debriefings with reporting lines.
- Participate in the organization and capacity building of survivors in all areas requiring their expertise for the successful implementation of the project.
- Establish community mechanisms among survivors for their protection in the implementation of IRMs.
- Coordinate survivors’ community reintegration and rehabilitation through improvement of relations with religious and traditional institutions, as well as other members of the community.
In conjunction with the implementation team:
- Actively participate in community activities and advocacy meetings (semi-annual, monthly and ad hoc).
- Be the coordination or communication relay between the rest of the team and survivors.
- Ensure contacts with authorities in the field for a good external relationship with the community and related stakeholders.
- Report logistical needs, particularly for the organization of meetings, workshops, trainings, and field team planning under the coordination of the supervisory team.
Education and Experience Requirements:
- A bachelor’s degree in psychology, psychosocial studies, mental health, psychotherapy, or a related discipline.
- Have worked for at least two years in a program or project with people in vulnerable situations, including survivors of sexual violence.
- Excellent computer skills and excellent tech-savvy skills.
- Ability to prepare reports and budgets.
- Proficiency level in English and Hausa (written and spoken). Kanuri is an added advantage.
- Proficiency level in other languages spoken in Adamawa.
- Knowledge of gender issues, girl’s and women’s rights, and issues related to sexual violence in conflict.
- Demonstrate experience in civil society organizations or organizations with a good reputation in the community.
- Possess and demonstrate effective small group communication and conversational skills.
- Ability to analyze and adapt approaches to different environments and actors.
- Be available to reside in assigned local government for the duration of the project.
Other Requirements:
- Ability to strictly respect the obligations of confidentiality and discretion, as well as strictly respect the protocols of care.
- Ability to listen to and empathize with all the participants, regardless of the violence they have suffered and its context, and regardless of their gender or their social, cultural, ethnic, or religious background.
- Organizational rigor and autonomy in the execution of the required tasks.
- Ability to adapt to a variety of tasks, taking initiative, working under pressure and in difficult areas.
- Good communication and public speaking skills and ability to adapt communication to the target audience.
- Professionalism in dealing with various interlocutors and partners, especially in a multicultural context.
- Amiable interpersonal skills.
- Proactively take on any additional responsibilities, functions, or tasks that may arise during the execution of the program due to absence of other personnel, or any other unforeseen reason.
To Apply:
Please send a cover letter (maximum 1 page), your CV (maximum 2 pages), and the names and telephone contacts of 2 references to [email protected] with “Application for Psychosocial Caseworker Adamawa” as the email subject.
Deadline for submission of applications is March 14th 2024. Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
