Senior Gender Based Violence Assistant

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) in Kenya serves vulnerable populations in the Turkana region and refugees in the Kakuma, Dadaab camps and in the Eastleigh, Nairobi.

The IRC implements programs in the areas of comprehensive primary health care, nutrition, protection, peace building, sanitation and hygiene and HIV/AIDS and prevention and response to gender based violence issues.

Applications are invited for the positions of:

1. Senior Gender Based Violence Assistant - Lodwar

The Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Assistant will provide support to the Senior GBV Officer to ensure successful implementation of the GBV program, including awareness-raising activities, provision of information on available GBV services, capacity-building of service providers and facilitating referrals.

The GBV Assistant will be responsible for providing training and mentoring to Community Health Workers in referring cases of GBV and raising awareness among the community of available services; leading discussions with adolescent girls on relevant topics; maintaining strong links with women, girls and entire communities; and participating in actor mapping and assessments.

This position reports to the GBV Senior Officer.

Responsibilities will depend on funding but are expected to include:

• Monitor and supervise case management, including capacity building through training, mentorship and on-the-job support for community health workers. Training topics may include active listening and effective communication, action and safety planning, basic concepts, and other related topics.
• Participate in the development of professional, effective and appropriate GBV psychosocial programming, including direct individual and group counseling support.
• Provide professional and confidential services to survivors of GBV, grounded in the IRC’s holistic, survivor-centered case management approach.
• Assist in the development and provision of psychosocial activities based on participatory community assessments.
• Provide technical oversight and capacity-building through training, mentorship and on-the-job support for community health workers (CHWs) on GBV awareness-raising, psycho-social support and referrals.
• Monitor awareness raising sessions and one-on-one support to women and girls seeking further support
• Develop messages and IEC materials for community health workers to use within the community.
• Work with health staff and monitor activities, when requested or advised.
• 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
• Ensure CHWs understand and are able to utilize the referral system effectively. Discuss difficult cases and next steps with the Senior GBV Officer
• Participate in development of monthly outreach plans with community workers, 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 activities to all community health workers to ensure all programme activities meet best practice standards.
• Collect and collate data about GBV, monitor trends and emerging issues.
• Assist with identification of relevant GBV actors in Turkana and potential local partners. Visit stakeholders, conduct interviews, and compile responses. Provide input into capacity assessment or potential partners and associated recommendations.
• Assist with developing adequate project monitoring systems and help to ensure that community health workers feed into these systems correctly and consistently.
• Assist with preparing all relevant reports regarding the IRC’s GBV activities.
• Ensure timely implementation of GBV programme activities in coordination with the Senior GBV Officer.
• Provide administrative and logistical support to the program.
• Fulfill any other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Requirements

• Diploma in counseling and/or psychology. A Social Science or related degree is preferred.
• Minimum 2 years of direct psychosocial/counseling experience with a reputable agency; experience working with survivors of violence preferred.
• Clear understanding of gender, abuse of power, and issues surrounding violence against women.
• 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, supervise, facilitate and motivate others in their respective tasks in a professional, respectful and supportive manner.
• Positive, highly motivated, innovative, with strong organizational and inter-personal skills.
• Ability to coordinate multiple tasks while maintaining attention to quality and detail.
• Ability to work as part of a team and to collaborate easily with IRC’s Health team.
• Strong knowledge of computer applications, including MS Word and Excel.
• Willingness to work in a hardship area.
• Fluency in English, including writing clear and concise reports. Turkana language preferred.
• Experience with organizing, facilitating or conducting any of the following community activities: community discussions, surveys, group activities, etc

To apply please go: http://tbe.taleo.net/NA2/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=IRC&cws=1&rid=7566