Social Worker – Pychosocial Support at Plan International

The Organisation

Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organisation that advances children’s rights and equality for girls.

We believe in the power and potential of every child. But this is often suppressed by poverty, violence, exclusion and discrimination. And it’s girls who are most affected.

Working together with children, young people, our supporters and partners, we strive for a just world, tackling the root causes of the challenges facing girls and all vulnerable children.

We support children’s rights from birth until they reach adulthood. And we enable children to prepare for – and respond to – crises and adversity. We drive changes in practice and policy at local, national and global levels using our reach, experience and knowledge.

We have been building powerful partnerships for children for over 80 years, and are now active in more than 70 countries.

The Social worker ensures children’s facing significant personal adversity improves their well-being and social engagement by working closely with families and other agencies for referrals.

Typical Responsibilities – Key End Results of Position:

• Conduct interviews with children at the CFS to assess children situations with regards to child protection and other issues affecting children in emergencies.
• Complete case management of vulnerable or affected children (social workers under PSS)

•  Should ensure children are safe and well, that families are helped to change where necessary through sharing of information and providing guidance.
• Should give professional leadership in the CSF and collaborating with other qualified practitioners to ensure the provisional of sensitive and appropriate services to children.
• Provide recommendations on the best course of action for particular service for children
• Liaising with the community coordinator and making referrals to other agencies and sectors
• Offering guidance/information to children and their families
• Maintain records for children attended, issues raises and referral and producing reports on weekly and monthly.
• Support Plan staff with other reporting / monitoring activities when necessary
• Help facilitate parents meetings in coordination with the Community Coordinators
• Complete new registrations
• Complete daily attendance list
• Complete incident reports
• Complete case management activities
• Perform 1-2-1 counselling
• Ensure CFS is cleaned (use children to facilitate where appropriate)
• Submit new registrations to CC
• Submit daily attendances to CC
• Submit volunteer attendance list to CC
• Provide input into CFS Case Studies

Dealing with Problems:

The position involves resolving a wide range of challenges which occur in managing different people with different background and culture. The position holder will be required to demonstrate attributes such as honest and trustworthy, respectful, possess cultural awareness and sensitivity, be flexible and demonstrate sound work ethics. S/he will demonstrate the ability to solve problems, be creative while providing support.

Communications and Working Relationships:

At field office the post holder will work closely with the emergency team staff and mostly with CPiE Specialist.

Skills specific to the post

• Participatory planning and monitoring, Understanding of emergencies with basic technical knowledge of child protection, WASH and EiE
• Proficient in team building and community work
• Use a rights-based approach in child protection
• Good written and oral communication skills in English and Swahili.  Knowledge of French and Kirundi is desirable
• Community mobilization, problem solving skills and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work in a multidisciplinary and multicultural environment
• Proficient in computer skills and ability to work under stress and in stressful environments

Qualifications and experience

• Degree in sociology, psychology, social work or related field International Development, Social Science or related field or significant relevant work experience
• At least 2 year’s working experience in a similar role with a good awareness of current issues in the field of development, emergencies and familiarity with children’s issues in particular
• Experience in facilitating the implementation and monitoring of community managed projects with an NGO environment and computer literate.

Plan International’s Values in Practice

We are open and accountable

• Promotes a culture of openness and transparency, including with sponsors and donors.
• Holds self and others accountable to achieve the highest standards of integrity.
• Consistent and fair in the treatment of people.
• Open about mistakes and keen to learn from them.
• Accountable for ensuring we are a safe organisation for all children, girls & young people

We strive for lasting impact

• Articulates a clear purpose for staff and sets high expectations.
• Creates a climate of continuous improvement, open to challenge and new ideas.
• Focuses resources to drive change and maximise long-term impact, responsive to changed priorities or crises.
• Evidence-based and evaluates effectiveness.

We work well together

• Seeks constructive outcomes, listens to others, willing to compromise when appropriate.
• Builds constructive relationships across Plan International to support our shared goals.
• Develops trusting and ‘win-win’ relationships with funders, partners and communities.
• Engages and works well with others outside the organization to build a better world for girls and all children.

We are inclusive and empowering

• Seeks constructive outcomes, listens to others, willing to compromise when appropriate.
• Builds constructive relationships across Plan International to support our shared goals.
• Develops trusting and ‘win-win’ relationships with funders, partners and communities.
• Engages and works well with others outside the organization to build a better world for girls and all children.

Physical Environment and Demands:

Typical working at the field with limited stay at the office

Level of Contact with Children

Mid contact:     Frequent interaction with children

Location:  4 positions in Nyarugusu

Reports to:  Psychosocial Officer

Closing Date: 11th December, 2019

APPLY ONLINE
Early application is encouraged as we will review applications throughout the advertising period and reserve the right to close the advert early.

A range of pre-employment checks will be undertaken in conformity with Plan International’s Safeguarding Children and Young People policy.

As an international child centred community development organisation, Plan International is fully committed to promoting the realisation of children’s rights including their right to protection from violence and abuse. That means we have particular responsibilities to children that we come into contact with.

Plan International believes that in a world where children face so many threats of harm, it is our duty to ensure that we, as an organisation, do everything we can to keep children safe. We must not contribute in any way to harming or placing children at risk. 

Equality, diversity and inclusion is at the very heart of everything that Plan International stands for. Our organisation is based on a culture of inclusivity and we strive to create a workplace environment that ensures every team, in every office, in every country, is rich in diverse people, thoughts, and ideas.

We will provide equality of opportunity and will not tolerate discrimination on any grounds. We foster an organisational culture that embraces and exemplifies our commitment to gender equality, girls’ rights and inclusion while supporting staff to adopt good practice, positive attitudes and principles of gender equality and inclusion.