Psychosocial officer : Makere, Kasulu District, Tanzania

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:                     Psychosocial officer
             Location:                    Makere, Kasulu District, Tanzania
 Reporting to:              Lead counselor

Job Purpose/Objective
The Psychosocial officer will be responsible for the provision of quality survivor-centered case management/psychosocial support services to GBV survivors in Nyarugusu refugee camp. She/he will be based in Makere, Kasulu district Tanzania. The position reports to the lead counselor and works with a team of refugee para-counsellors.

Key Responsibilities
Case management/Psychosocial support
- Provide professional psychosocial and confidential services to survivors of GBV, grounded in the IRC’s holistic, survivor-centered case management approach.
- Facilitate access sexual assault survivors access to clinical care at the support centres
- Ethically and confidentially document client information through accurate filling of IRC provided intake forms and ensure confidential and safe storage
- Support the maintenance of the IRC’s case management system by maintaining client confidentiality
- Regularly update the GBVIMS data base with information collected in the intake forms during case assessment and action plan.

Monitoring and evaluation
- Participate in interpretation of the analyzed data on GBV reporting trends to inform intervention areas
- Participate in the development of case management monitoring systems and ensure consistent use and application
- Participate in preparation of relevant reports regarding the IRC’s psychosocial activities.

Trainings and capacity building
- Provide ongoing couching and mentorship to refugee para-counsellors supporting case management services.
- Identify and build the capacity of community based groups to provide ongoing psychosocial support to GBV survivors to facilitate their long term recovery
- Participate in capacity building of other service providers and community based structures to ensure that survivors receive compassionate support

Coordination and Advocacy
- Make timely consent based interagency referrals for survivors in need of other services
- Participate in the interagency case review meetings as need be
- Follow-up with service providers, community based support groups and the survivors themselves to ensure GBV survivors receive timely support
- Coordinate discrete home visits by the refugee para-counsellors that minimize potential risks to survivors and the involved staff.
- Strengthen and maintain networks with community leaders, women leaders, service providers and camp management to ensure that survivors receive compassionate support from the community
- Participate in psychosocial assessment of women registering for women centre activities and support the women empowerment supervisor to run group therapy and psycho education activities at the women centre
- Coordinate other support services for individual survivors with other team members such as the legal officer for those in need of legal aid.

Administrative
- Maintain transparent and accountable records of beneficiaries issued with non-food items
- Identify material needs of GBV survivors and initiate purchase requests to respond to the needs in line with approved budgets.
- Support the lead counselor in managing assets/inventory assigned to the support centers
Required Qualifications & Competence:

- Degree in counseling and/or psychology. Diploma holders with extensive work experience will be considered.
- 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
- Able to maintain confidentiality, counseling ethics and uphold the rights of GBV survivors at all times.
- Positive, highly motivated, innovative, with strong organizational and inter-personal skills.
- Able to work as part of a team.
- Strong knowledge of computer applications, including MS Word and Excel.
- Willing to work in a remote location.

Fluency in Swahili and English, knowledge of French a plus.

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 17.00, November 14th, 2014. Please note that only short-listed applicants meeting the above requirements will be contacted. Qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.