Lead counselor : IRC Tanzania, Kasulu (Makere)

Background:

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 with Head quarters in New York, the IRC operates in more than 40 countries worldwide, offering lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to individuals/communities forced to flee from war or disaster.

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) IRC Tanzania is present in the Kigoma Region, Northwestern Tanzania, providing services in Nyarugusu refugee camp in Kasulu District and at a transit centre in Kigoma town.  Approximately 70,000 refugees, the vast majority from Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) receive protection and basic assistance in the areas of Child and Youth Protection and Development, Community based rehabilitation for persons with disabilities and special needs, and Gender based violence / Women’s protection and empowerment (WPE).
IRC seeks to recruit qualified, energetic and committed candidates to fill the following position:

             Position:                     Lead counselor
             Location:                    IRC Tanzania, Kasulu (Makere)
 Reporting to:              GBV Manager

Scope of work

The lead counselor will work in one of the IRC support centers in Nyarugusu refugee camp and based in Makere, Kasulu district, Tanzania. She/he will lead the aspect of service delivery/case management for GBV survivors to ensure GBV survivors have timely access holistic and quality case management/psychosocial services. He/she will also provide individual psychosocial/case management services to GBV survivors who report, supervise a team of psychosocial officers providing case management/psychosocial support, coordinate interagency case review committee meetings, and ensure safe and ethical collection and accuracy of GBV data using the GBV Information Management System. The position reports to the GBV National manager based in Kasulu but works in close collaboration with other GBV supervisors in day to day running of the support centre activities.

Case management
 Provide professional and confidential services to survivors of GBV, grounded in the IRC’s holistic, survivor-centered case management approach.
 Ensure the quality provision of appropriate case management services/psychosocial support to survivors of GBV, including accompaniment, referrals, follow-up and advocacy where necessary as well as provision of safe shelter and material support.
 Manage the operation of the safe shelters(entry and exit of survivors seeking temporary shelter at the support centers)
 Ensure accurate and ethical documentation of all GBV cases using the intake and assessment form, the client action plan and case notes and follow up to ensure survivors receive services responsive to their needs.
 Ensure safe storage of client’s information in lockable cabinets at all times in all the centers
 Monitor activities of the psychosocial officers and incentive para-counsellors , building and maintaining a working team that ensures the support centers  maintain and promote a neutral and supportive environment for survivors of GBV
 Manage the GBV Information Management system database in consultation with the GBV PM and GBVIMS specialist

Training, Mentorship and couching
 Support technical trainings/capacity building initiatives for service providers and the community  for better understanding and effective response to the psychosocial needs of GBV survivors
 Supervise and provide training, mentorship, and other technical support to support centre psychosocial staff.
 Provide professional leadership and guidance to the program regarding appropriate psychosocial activities that meets standards
 Monitor and supervise case management, including capacity building through training and on-the-job training of social workers in DIC 2. Training topics should include active listening and effective communication, action and safety planning, GBV guiding principles, GBV basic concepts, and other related topics

Coordination and advocacy
 Coordinate interagency case review meetings with partners in the referral network and follow-up or advocate with service providers where necessary to ensure survivors receive timely and compassionate support services.
 Regularly update the referral network whenever new GBV focal points join the network
 Strengthen and maintain networks with other service providers and camp management to ensure that survivors receive compassionate support from the community and to encourage greater communication, collaboration and coordination among partners (protection, health, legal, police).
 Coordinate activities with those of other GBV supervisors to advice other targeted intervention based on trend analysis of reported incidences.
 Strengthen and maintain networks with community leaders, women leaders, service providers and camp management to ensure that survivors receive compassionate support from the community and to encourage greater communication, collaboration and coordination among partners (protection, health, legal, and psychosocial sectors).

Monitoring and Evaluation
 Regularly administer client satisfaction surveys for survivors accessing GBV services and share the report with the psychosocial officers and GBV manager for improvement where necessary
 Participate in the development of case management monitoring systems and help to ensure that social workers utilize these systems correctly and consistently
 Participate in preparation of work plan, proposals and monthly/donor reports in collaboration with the other GBV supervisors, GBV manager and/or other programs staff as requested.
 Monitor and track indicator progress on response services at the support centers
 Coordinate analysis and interpretation of GBV data with the GBV team to inform intervention areas
Personnel Management:
 Directly supervise psychosocial officers and refugee incentive para-counsellors working at the support centers
 Manage staff leave plan to ensure consistent coverage at the support centers at any given Time. Responsible for welfare, staff motivation and discipline of psychosocial officers and refugee incentive staff in coordination with GBV manager.

General Responsibilities:
 Report any violations of the IRC Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Code of Conduct (Tanzania and worldwide) as per the IRC Tanzania reporting mechanism. The reporting of violations is an obligation on the part of all staff members.
 Ensure adherence to the IRC Way policy.
 Overall responsibility of managing  program assets and other NFIs at the support centers
 Ensure the application of the standardized GBV protocols, guidelines, and procedures.

Required qualifications/competencies

 Degree in counseling psychology or relevant discipline from accredited institution.  Experience working on Gender Based Violence issues a plus.
 Minimum 3 years of experience providing individual counseling and group therapy sessions with survivors of Gender Based Violence  with a reputable organization
 Ability to work independently with a high degree of initiative required
 Good IT skills: knowledge of MS Word; Excel and Outlook required.
 Swahili and good English written and oral skills required.  French a plus.
 Ability to handle multiple tasks and have excellent problem solving abilities.
Team player, excellent personal and cooperation skills are essential

 How to apply:

Applications for the position must include:
i. A cover letter illustrating your suitability for the position against the listed requirements.
ii. Detailed curriculum vitae showing contact address, email, and day-time mobile phone number(s) and three (3) referees, ONE being your last employer.
iii. ONLY copies of academic and professional certificates.
All applications should be sent to:
Senior HR Manager
International Rescue Committee
P. O. Box 259
Kasulu, Tanzania

Email:  Joel.Bitwale@rescue.org

Applications will be considered valid if sent/received before Friday 17.00pm, November 14th, 2014. Please note that only short-listed applicants meeting the above requirements will be contacted. Qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.