Job Description

The WPE Response Officer oversees, coordinates and monitors GBV case management and psychosocial Support services, and ensures women and girls who are survivors of gender based violence (GBV) receive quality services that are needed and desired. The Response Officer is also responsible for training and supervising the WPE Social Workers, coordinating with humanitarian partners in the field and other IRC programs, and for ensuring proper utilization of the referral pathway. The Response Officer will ensure that all GBV Response staff employ a survivor-centered approach to ensure that the clients’ wishes are respected and their safety are preserved at all times through the case management process.

Duties and Responsibilities

Program Design and Implementation

• In close consultation with the WPE Manager, oversee, coordinate and monitor the provision of quality GBV case management services.
• Participate in the development of the case management and Psychosocial Support (PSS) tools and resources, GBV information materials, and PSS activities for women and girls in target communities, and support their implementation.
• Support roll out of new initiatives e.g. Women Rise tool kit and risk mitigation audits
• Support implementation of the VSLA activities, business advisory, life-skills training offered to women and girls at the Women and Girls Centers.
• Monitor field work and support social workers to provide quality, timely and age-appropriate survivor-centered case management services and psychosocial support to all clients in the Women and Girls Center ensuring strict adherence to the GBV guiding principles (Safety and Security, Confidentiality, Respect and No Discrimination)
• Initiate, oversee and ensure proper use of the referral pathway in the provision of case management services.

Coordination and Networking

• Lead weekly case review meetings with Social Workers and case conferencing meetings on as needed basis to troubleshoot more complex cases and ensure best support for the client.
• Advocate on behalf of clients with GBV service providers and other organizations to ensure effective referrals and increased access to services for clients in accordance with the survivors wishes.
• Collaborate with programme staff and operations to ensure that supplies are available for WPE activities in a timely manner and resources are available to support events, trainings, and workshops.
• Participate and represent WPE program in relevant committees, clusters, task forces, and zone level coordination meetings.

Communication and Reporting

• Set up and maintain client files and ensure all required documentation in individual case files is completed in a timely manner and according to confidentiality guidelines, GBV guiding principles and IRC standards.
• Oversee data collection through GBV Information Management System (GBVIMS) and activity M&E tools and systems, ensuring strict adherence to confidentiality and GBV best practice principles.
• Submit daily, weekly, and monthly comprehensive work plans and reports to WPE Manager.
• Coordinate with the M & E Officer to analyze the information about GBV incidents and clients accessing the services, and make recommendations to improve service delivery.
• Carry out performance management evaluation (PME) and ensure PME documentation for direct reports is in place and followed up regularly.
• Support to complete monthly cash projections, spend out plans and raise PRs for needed supplies.
• Provide continuous feedback to supervisor on any challenges in the work implementation to be addressed directly with corrective steps/measures if needed.
• Assist in the orientation of new staff by providing them with the necessary documents and materials for orientation.
• Ensure compliance with IRC policies and protocols of confidentiality, respect and safety.

Key Working Relationships

Position reports to:   WPE Manager

Position directly supervises: Social Workers

Other internal and/or external contacts

Internal: Close coordination with IRC Protection, M&E, Finance, HR, Operations 

External: Close collaboration with donors, local actors (local NGOs, UN agencies, government) and service providers’ part of the urban survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) referral system.

Qualifications

• University degree in Social Sciences: Social Work, Gender/Women Studies, Public Health, or other appropriate fields
• At least 2 years’ experience in the field of Gender-based violence Response activities in an emergency setting
• Ability to communicate sensitively and without judgment; good diplomatic and persuasion skills.
• Ability to use good judgment when making decisions and to take accountability for decisions made.
• Emotional maturity and stability to resolve conflicts in non-violent way and maintain appropriate boundaries.
• Good interpersonal skills including ability to gain trust and build relationships.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks; proven self-initiative and problem solving abilities.
• High standard of spoken and written English.
• Good computer skills including Microsoft Excel, Access, Word, Outlook, and Power Point.
• Be able to work in a stressful setting and adapt quickly to changing environments.

Please note:

• This position is open only to Ugandan nationals.

The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct.  These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability.  In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.