Job overview:
The Protection Assistant in the Women’s Protection and Empowerment (WPE) program in Zulia is responsible for direct case management, individual counseling, and awareness-raising activities through safe spaces for women survivors of Gender-Based Violence (GBV). The assistant is expected to be frequently in the field to lead the implementation of case management and conduct community awareness activities.
Main responsibilities:
Technical Quality and Program Development
- To provide direct and age-appropriate case management to GBV survivors with a cross-cultural approach adapted to the territory, including supporting clients in developing a plan to address their individual needs and the safe implementation of this plan, as well as determining best interests, age-appropriate engagement and decision-making by survivors, and Do No Harm analysis.
- Adhering to the guiding principles of GBV case management—abuse, exploitation, and neglect—throughout all case management and psychosocial interventions. This includes ensuring the confidentiality of survivors and respecting their wishes and decisions.
- Develop age- and gender-appropriate case management, including assessing client needs; basic crisis counseling (and in some contexts additional individual counseling); developing action plans with clients; supporting clients in seeking services and support.
- Direct age- and gender-appropriate, specialized group emotional services to be provided to vulnerable beneficiaries.
- Identify related concerns and support compliance with case referral protocols and protection guiding principles, and present these concerns to the Protection Officer.
- Maintain effective working relationships with relevant stakeholders, including community leaders.
- Complete the monthly activity reports.
- Ensure a safe and confidential referral for survivors of GBV and children and adolescents who request support after psychosocial activities.
- Working with women, boys and girls in mobile or fixed safe spaces, in community days, to identify their needs, interests and priorities, and whenever possible, adapting the activities accordingly to ensure that the activities offered are culturally appropriate and meet their needs.
- Carry out, prepare and help plan and organize activities with women, children and adolescents in conjunction with the other team members.
- Provide psychological first aid with emphasis on children and adolescents and survivors of gender-based violence.
- To know and understand the referral pathway for gender-based violence and child protection.
- Disseminate messages about GBV services, child protection, etc., daily in specific communities, using a variety of context-appropriate methods.
- Ensure that supplies/resources for program activities are requested in a timely manner and used efficiently
Coordination & Representation
- Direct and effective communication with other social workers and service providers as part of individual case management
- Attend regular field-level case management meetings.
Program Development
- Coordinate with staff from other areas in CIR (e.g., Wash, Health) at field level to integrate project activities and ensure cross-cutting protection.
- Stay updated and informed of developments in your field of action, regarding protection that affects the target population.
- Represent CIR in protected spaces when delegated.
Monitoring and Evaluation
- Complete the reliable checklist and report any problems to your immediate supervisor.
- Keep records of the necessary information, during and after the training exam, as well as the focus group discussions.
- Upload information to CommCare in a timely manner, and make updates on time.
- Monitor the participation figures of women and girls attending the activities.
- Contribute to monthly reports.
Others
- Consistently and proactively monitor/assess the safety and security of field teams; promptly report concerns or incidents to CIR management, liaising with community leaders and other external groups as needed to maintain/improve the safety environment of CIR programs.
- Other tasks, as assigned by the immediate supervisor, to enable and develop CIR programs.
Professional Standards
- All CIR staff are committed to CIR’s Standards of Professional Conduct (CIR Way) and CIR’s country employment policies, as well as child protection policies.
Job requirements:
Education:
- Professional in psychology (licensed, with a university degree registered with the Public Registry and Ministry of Education), social work (university degree registered with the Public Registry), social sciences, or another related field. Experience in GBV prevention programs is valued.
Preferred experience and skills:
- At least 2 years of experience in the application of gender violence programs and the implementation of response protocols and the provision of associated services.
- Experience in case management with GBV survivors.
- Experience in GBV prevention programs with knowledge of care pathways.
- Demonstrated dedication to the empowerment and protection of women through current/previous voluntary or paid work in women’s groups, girls’ clubs, or other relevant experience.
- Demonstrated understanding and ability to maintain confidentiality and respect for clients
- Positive and professional attitude, including the ability to lead and work well in a team environment.
- Previous experience working in emergency environments, unsafe environments, or remote administration situations is preferred.
- Previous experience working with indigenous communities is desirable.
- Knowledge of the Wayuunaiki and Yukpa languages ​​is desirable.
Work environment ***:***
- Changing work environment.
- The geographical presence and movement of work and the scope of the program may change as the program grows.
- Frequent travel is possible
Standards of professional conduct
Employees and the organization must adhere to the values ​​and principles outlined in the CIR Way—Standards for Professional Conduct. In accordance with these values, the organization operates and implements policies on beneficiary protection from exploitation and abuse, child protection, workplace harassment, fiscal integrity, and anti-retaliation.
Gender equality : Our organization is committed to reducing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce, including parental leave, gender-sensitive safety protocols, and other supportive benefits and allowances.
Equal Opportunity Employer : We are an equal opportunity employer. We consider all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.