Social Worker

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Date: 04-Apr-2020

Location: Bamenda, NW, CM

Company: Plan International

Plan International is an independent non-profit development and humanitarian organization that advances children’s rights and equality for girls. 

We believe in the power and potential of every child. However, these are often suppressed by poverty, violence, exclusion and discrimination. In addition, it is 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. Moreover, 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 75 years, and are now active in more than 70 countries.

Major Responsibilities

• The Social/Case worker will assume full responsibility to assess the level of risk that children are exposed to, and immediately report any cases that could evolve into high risk cases to the direct line Supervisor (Case Management Officer/CPiE Project Coordinator/CPIE Specialist).
• Identify, prioritize, assess and support children at risk of violence, abuse, exploitation and neglect.
• Monitor and report on child protection issues and violations in assigned communities or zone.
• Provide case management services in line with the National Standard Operating Procedures for case management & Global Child Protection Case Management Guidelines.
• Take at least 25 identified CP cases of vulnerable children from Initial Assessment to Case Closure using the Inter-Agency Case Management forms during the project performance period.
• Ensure that children are followed up and receiving proper case management and that cases are prepared for case discussions/case management meetings
• Ensure regular case review meetings and conferences are conducted to reflect on progress and to accommodate the lessons learned and improve case management system accordingly; [participate in Best Interest Determination as appropriate.
• Be proactive in identifying opportunities to better support children through facilitating processes, systems etc.
• Ensure adequate alternative care services: Seek to understand traditional care strategies for UASC (including potential protection risks linked to these). Assess the capacity of the community to absorb children that need care, and the complementary support that is potentially required.
• Mobilize community leaders and community-based organizations (such as foster parents’ groups) to support alternative care.
• Provide psychosocial support for children in care, parents and caregivers
• Provide parents and caregivers with information on child psychosocial distress, and on how they can support their children to recover, as well as access services.
• Establish regular structured recreational activities, led by community volunteers/Community focal points, and coordinate these with other activities. This may include child friendly spaces, ensuring that age and gender-sensitive activities are developed and implemented for children and adolescents.
• Work with other sectors to ensure that they consider the protection and wellbeing of children and assist them to make their services child-friendly and accessible.
• Ensure full responsibility & accountability –for maintaining, drafting and updating reports which include case management reports and field activities report.
• Promotes and ensures the principles of child protection and child participation are respected within the Plan International projects and with identified child protection resources at field level.
• Support training and orientation of CPC members, Community Focal Points and Foster families on child protection, SGBV and positive parenting.

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning

• Ensure CPIE risk assessment is done for assigned zone
• Ensure all child protection concerns are reported and also participate in case management meetings.
• Ensure the action plans of Girl/Boys clubs, CBCPM and that for the animation of CFS are closely follow-up by Community Focal Point.
• Report on opportunities and constraints and any adjustments needed in the project.
• Ensure assessment, documentation, good follow up of all referred cases and report accordingly;
• Follow-up survivors from child abuses, identification and evaluations of their needs
• Give feedback on the project during community meetings with beneficiaries and Community leaders a month.
• Ensure Children and Young People Safe Guarding Policy of Plan International Cameroon is respected by all.
• Comply with Plan International’s Fraud Policy at all times to safeguard and protect Plan’s assets and reputation of honesty.

Information and Co-ordination

• Provide regular weekly updates with inputs from all Community Animators
• Submit monthly reports to CPiE Project Coordinator on activities implemented.
• With the permission of the CPiE Specialist can represent Plan in CPIE stake holders meetings.

Human Resources and Administration

• Participate in the training and briefing of Social Workers and Community Focal Points of CFS and other key stakeholders on CPiE and/or related issues.

Dealing with Problems

• Maintain neutrality to the on-going crisis.
• The job requires intense interventions on the field, in areas often at risk. This requires prudence, vigilance and compliance with security instructions on the part of the animator.
• Excellent and creative leadership skills will be utilized to properly implement the activities, in accordance with the standards, principles and with possible resistance from colleagues as is often the case in emergency response work
• S/he should work under pressure and accept travels and stays in areas often austere.

Key relationships

• Keeps and maintain high contact with children, their families and communities
• Maintains a high contact with other partners at the Divisional Delegation of Health, Social Affairs, Ministry of Women Empowerment and the Family, Basic Education, networks and other organizations.
• Maintains high contact with local partners.

Qualification and Experience

• GCE A/ Level or its equivalent. A degree in social sciences, law, education or related field with good knowledge of established international child protection standards and CPIE principles, can be an advantage; with at least 2 years of experience in Social Work or community development.
• Be able to speak English. Ability to speak the local language of the assigned zone will also be an added advantage.
• Has experience in working with children (boys and girls)
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Resident in the assigned communities

Skills

• Timely and effective delivery of project activities and other outputs (reports, etc.)
• Commitment to child protection, gender equality and participation
• Skills in participatory assessment, recreational activities, informal education, life skills training and sensitization on child and adolescent protection and prevention of GBV.
• Good computer skills (Microsoft Words, Excel, PowerPoint, Internet Explorer)
• Ability to network with grassroots structures.
• Competence in working with survivors from CPIE abuses, case management

Behaviors

• Commitment and adherence to humanitarian values and standards,
• Not been involved in any child protection issues
• Demonstrates neutrality in the current socio-political crisis.
• Works with trustworthiness and integrity
• Resilience/Adaptability and flexibility: Ability to operate effectively under extreme circumstances including stress, high security risks, diverse cultural contexts and harsh living conditions. Works and lives with a flexible, adaptable and resilient manner.
• Demonstrates awareness and sensitivity to gender and diversity.
• Patient, adaptable, flexible, able to improvise and remain responsive under pressure.

NEXT STEP: 
 To apply for this job, kindly click on « Apply ». Your application should include:

• A cover letter
• A comprehensive CV including details of two referees, one of whom should be your current of most recent supervisor
   
  Location: Bamenda – CAMEROON
• Closing date: April 14th, 2020

Plan International Cameroon operates in an equal opportunity environment and actively encourages diversity.  Only applications received in French or English, will be considered and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Plan international has a child protection and gender equality policies that are integral part of the recruitment process.

Apply now »