Poland: Child Protection Caseworker

The Ukraine crisis could become the worst humanitarian crisis Europe has seen in decades. More than 5.3 million people have fled across borders to seek safety in the 1st month since the escalation of conflict in Ukraine on February 24, 2022, and over 6.5 million people are reported to be displaced. Reports indicate almost all arrivals in Poland are women and children, including those that are unaccompanied and separated, as well as older persons.

Between February 7-23, 2022, an IRC team undertook a scoping mission covering Poland and Ukraine to better understand the context, humanitarian and civil society landscape, and anticipated service gaps in the event of an escalation of conflict in Ukraine and consequent displacement into neighboring Poland. As of February 24th, the IRC has pivoted to emergency response, and has identified partner agencies in Ukraine and Poland to facilitate immediate assistance that can be used where it is most needed. Simultaneously, the IRC has established operations across Ukraine and Poland offering a robust humanitarian response to complement partner response services either in breadth or scale.

Poland is hosting the largest number of refugees from Ukraine; more than 1.5 mil. have registered for Temporary Protection (70% females and 40% children)1. In the second year of the crisis, more refugees are expected in Poland as the frontlines change and Russia intensifies attacks. The new arrivals are expected to be more vulnerable with increased protection concerns and basic needs. As the needs continue to evolve, the IRC proactively adapts its programming to the context to ensure efficient delivery of assistance. The IRC Poland currently provides Protection, cash, education, and livelihood support to the affected population in Poland.

Job Overview/Summary: The Child Protection caseworker will support the successful implementation of psychosocial activities and will be responsible for the provision of quality case management including direct counseling to children and youth survivors or at risk of violence. Position is based in Katowice.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Child Protection Case Management
• Provide professional and confidential services to child and adolescent survivors of violence.
• Document client information through accurate filling of intake forms and ensure confidential and safe storage.
• Support the maintenance of the IRC’s case management system by maintaining client confidentiality.
• Ensure the CPIMS (Child Protection Information Management System) is accurately updated on a regular basis.
• Ethically and confidentially collect and store Child Protection data.
• Participate in interpretation of the analysed data on trends and work with the Child Protection Senior Manager and Integrated Protection Manager to disseminate information to all relevant stakeholders.
• Participate in the development of case management monitoring systems.
• Participate in preparation of all relevant reports regarding the IRC’s psychosocial activities.
• Follow Child Protection guiding principles of respect, confidentiality, and safety/security and non- discrimination while providing services to children and adolescents.
• Monitor how the Child Protection referral pathway is working through making direct follow-ups with other organizations that are providing services to survivors.
• SHLS (Safe Healing and Learning Spaces) Engagements
• Facilitate or support in the facilitation of information’s sessions on Child Protection which includes messages on available services to children and adolescents.
• Facilitate or support in the facilitation of sessions to increase awareness on the consequences of violence, promote available services to women and girls and address stigma preventing access to services at the women centers.

Coordination:

• Collaborate with other stakeholders to ensure fruitful and smooth field-level coordination.
• Identify strategic collaboration and implement activities in collaboration with other service providers.
• Closely coordinate with the SHLS and WGSS (Women’s and Girls’ Safe Space) staff on trends, community dynamics, community acceptance, to modify activities and material accordingly.

Other Duties:

• Assess gaps on how the referral pathway is functioning through direct follow ups with service providers and make suggestions for improvement to the supervisor.
• Ensure supplies/resources for counseling spaces and other program activities are requested in a timely manner and are efficiently utilized.
• Other duties as assigned by the supervisor to enable and develop IRC programs.

Key Working Relationships:

• Position Reports to: Integrated Protection Manager

Other Internal and/or External Contacts:

• Internal: Regular relationships with IRC WPE (Women’s Protection and Empowerment), Child Protection, Protection Monitoring, and Livelihoods teams.
• External: Collaboration with IRC partners and donors including other non-governmental organizations, and inter-agency groups.

Qualifications: 

Requirements - Education:

• Diploma in social work, counseling and/or psychology. A Social Science or related degree is preferred.

Requirements – Previous Experience:

• 1-2 years’ experience in Case Management.
• Experience working with survivors of violence preferred.
• Demonstrated experience working directly with refugees who are survivors of GBV and can demonstrate understanding of a survivor-centered approach.
• Counseling and training experience, including experience working with women and girls preferred.

Requirements – Skills, Knowledge, and Interests:

• In-depth knowledge on GBV and responding to GBV in emergency settings.
• Excellent listening and observation skills, including ability to create trust, support, respect and interact with survivors of all ages, background and diversity.
• Demonstrated commitment to women’s empowerment.
• Ability to facilitate trainings and sessions, including group support activities with women and girls.
• Positive and professional attitude, able to organize, maintain composure and prioritize work under pressure, work overtime when necessary and be able to coordinate multiple tasks and maintain attention to detail.
• Demonstrates ability and commitment toward diversity and inclusion.
• Commitment toward a healthy and supportive working environment.
• Personal qualities: good listener, team player, flexible, network-builder, able to handle pressure well and work in cross-cultural setting.
• Communication skills, with good understanding of relevant cross-cultural and sensitive issues.

Requirements – Language Skills:

• Fluency in Ukrainian and English. Polish and Russian language skills are an asset.

Requirements – Compliance:

• Strict adherence to humanitarian, protection and Child Protection principles and standards, as well as organizational policies including Code of Conduct and Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA).
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and respect for clients at all times is essential.

The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

How to Apply: 

Application link: https://rescue.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/1/home/requisition/42465?c=rescue