Social Worker

Who We Are

International Justice Mission (IJM) is the global leader in protecting vulnerable people from violence around the world. Our team of over 1,200 professionals are at work worldwide in over 30 offices. Together we are on a mission to rescue millions, protect half a billion, and make justice unstoppable.

We are a global community that cares for one another. We believe that the way we work is as important as the results we achieve. We provide professional excellence with joy and celebration to all those we serve.

The Need

For over 25 years, IJM has pioneered the work to protect vulnerable people from violence. 9 out of 9 times in the last decade, IJM’s Justice System Strengthening Projects have reduced slavery and violence between 50 and 85% for very large populations of people in poverty. As we grow to expand our impact to protect 500 million people from violence, we are seeking a Social Worker to play a key role in providing multidisciplinary support to victims of Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) both directly and through partners, with a particular focus on building partnerships. The social worker will work closely with internal and external stakeholders across a range of professional disciplines, particularly law enforcement, prosecution, and social services, to strengthen trauma-informed responses within each of these sectors. The Social Worker will build and strengthen relationships with partners within the district, such as Probation, Social and Welfare Officers (PSWOs), shelters and other rescue centers community-based organizations and civil society organizations that provide psychosocial services to rescue, protect and provide restoration to survivors.

This position is based in Moroto and reports to the Project Coordinator and is only available for candidates with the right to work in Uganda.

Responsibilities:

• Ensure that survivor groups are functional i.e., they have leadership and have all the information they require on Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG), VAWG legal framework, survivor services and restoration to fulfill their mandate of advocacy for creating safe communities.
• Monitor survivor groups in the districts, including support for the income generating projects and ensure that survivors complete the required trainings and meet the criteria for accessing funds for economic empowerment and sustainable livelihoods.
• Keep in constant review the selected IJM economic empowerment and sustainable livelihoods model for contextualization within the region and shared learnings with other partners.
• Identify gaps and areas for capacity strengthening within the social service network and other disciplines and develop recommendations for interventions.
• Share best practices from stakeholder engagements to help in the improvement of the program.
• Provide support to GBV shelters to adopt trauma informed practices, safeguarding policies in the delivery of services to survivors.
• Support partners and Probation, Social and Welfare Officer (PSWO) to implement case management standards such as assessment of needs, development of care plans and measurement of outcome of services to enable survivors attain restoration.
• Map existing partners (shelters and civil society organizations) in the respective districts and update the partner database regularly.
• Regularly provide updates to the Project Coordinator, Karamoja on partner engagements and recommend new strategies that are helpful in improving interactions between survivors and partners.
• Hold meeting with, DCDOs, PSWOs and Community Development Officers (CDOs) to ensure they are equipped to respond to cases and provide emergency response both in the community and in shelters in a trauma informed manner.
• Support multi-disciplinary coordination meetings such as District Action Centers (DACs), GBV working group meetings, and others to promote inter-institutional dialogue and coordination on cases of VAWC in the districts.
• Use the IJM survivor care model such as the Trauma Informed Care (TIC) and in all interventions with shelters/CSOs and Police and ensure that they are equipped with knowledge needed for adoption of these models.
• With the support of Lead, Survivor Networks, establish a network of survivors as a powerful voice calling for protection of women and children in the districts.
• Conduct trauma informed care knowledge and skills sharing sessions per IJM curricula for partners.
• In collaboration with the Project Coordinator and Manager, Survivor Services develop training plans and material for training law enforcement, judiciary, social welfare, and medical staff on survivor friendly interventions, including ethical and safety considerations for survivors of VAWG.
• Convene and provide leadership in multi-disciplinary meetings with a variety of government and non-government stakeholders and support inter-institutional dialogue and coordination on cases of VAWG.
• Identify gaps and conduct the survivor group trainings, including training on the economic empowerment interventions.
• Assess needs and provide psychosocial support either directly or through partners according to the IJM Aftercare standards and case management guidelines.
• Provide mentoring and support to probation and social welfare officers and justice officials to ensure that survivors of VAWG are provided trauma-informed services and support throughout VAWG investigations, prosecutions and court proceedings.
• Update IJM case management system regularly and work closely with the Casework Administrators to keep track of information on services provided to survivors, Assessment of Survivor Outcomes (ASOs), treatment plans and needs assessments.
• Adhere to IJM Survivor Services standards, guidelines, and tools such as the needs assessment, ASOs, Minimum Standards of Care, Security procedures while providing psychosocial support to survivors.
• Follow the collaborative casework guidelines to generate cases from recommended sources and do case intakes.
• Seek timely approval for services needed by survivors and exercise good stewardship of resources by planning, prioritizing, and providing timely reports.
• Document best practices and share with the Project Coordinator Karamoja and Manager, Survivor Services for adoption, learning and scaleup.
• Maintain an accurate record of activities at the district including capturing stories of change.
• Provide weekly/monthly and quarterly reports to the Project Coordinator, Karamoja and Manager, Survivor Services according to internal and external reporting requirements and timelines.
• Ensure best practices are shared with the Project Coordinator, Karamoja for adoption, learning and scaleup.
• In collaboration with the Project Coordinator Karamoja and Manager, Survivor Services, participate in the planning and coordination of events and activities.
• Support the Lead, Survivor Networks on planning and execution of survivor network activities.
• Develop concept notes, work plans and budgets for survivor services activities.
• Participate in IJM programs of professionalism and Christian spiritual formation.
• Ensure to use staff-care resources and tools provided by the office to take good care of physical, emotional and psychological health.
• Ensure compliance with IJM core commitments and values.
• Ensure compliance of budget implementation as per donor requirements.
• Ensure strict adherence to IJM and grant operational, finance, program and human resources policies.
• Ensure strict compliance with all security guidance and tactical plans in all casework and field work operations.
• Ensure commitment to Safeguarding, Zero tolerance to Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment, Child abuse and whistleblowing information.
• Adhere to IJM safeguarding code of conduct towards a safe work environment for all.

Qualifications:

• A bachelor’s degree in social work, Social Development, Gender and Development, Community Psychology or related field.
• A minimum of four (4) years’ experience in social work, counseling, including working with survivors of sexual violence or other traumatic experiences. Experience working with child and women survivors of violence preferred.
• Experience establishing networks and partnering with social service providers.
• Clear understanding of trauma and application of trauma-informed approaches within case management and/or clinical interventions.
• Experience with livelihoods or income generating projects for the vulnerable.
• Proven ability to mentor, guide and coach multi-disciplinary stakeholders. Prior experience working with law enforcement or justice system officials preferred.
• Fluency in the English language both written and spoken is mandatory. Working knowledge of local languages in the Karamoja region preferred.
• Possesses a valid driver’s license with no incidents.
• Excellent Computer literacy with proficiency in MS Word, Outlook, Power Point and Excel.
• Strong knowledge and understanding of trauma and proven application of trauma-informed approaches within case management and/or clinical interventions.
• Knowledge of gender-based violence and ability to do case management in crisis situations.
• Excellent writing, documentation and reporting skills, including the ability to maintain digital records and generate high-quality reports on all casework interventions, stakeholder interactions, etc.
• Strong verbal skills with the ability to articulate, and communicate clearly with clients, stakeholders, communities, and staff.
• Should possess ability to quickly learn and consistently use other software systems for purposes of case management, M&E and documentation.

Critical Qualities:

• Eager commitment to IJM's Core Values: Christian, Professional and Bridge-Building;
• Self-starter with strong initiative;
• Disciplined with priorities;
• Strong interpersonal skills and self-awareness;
• Exceptional verbal and written communication;
• Flexible, collaborative and eager to support others;
• Effective team player who fosters collaborative environment; and
• Adept at creative problem solving.

Application Process:

Please submit Resume/CV, Cover Letter, and Statement of Faith* in one PDF document to ugandarecruiting@ijm.org by close of business on Friday 2nd August 2024 with the subject line APPLICATION SOCIAL WORKER. Applicants must have the legal right to work in Uganda. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

*What is a statement of faith?

A statement of faith should describe your Christian faith and how you see it as relevant to your involvement with IJM. The statement can either be incorporated into the cover letter or submitted as a separate document and should include, at a minimum, a description of your spiritual disciplines (prayer, study, etc.) and your current fellowship or place of worship.

What does IJM have to offer?

• Comprehensive GPA/GL and Medical benefits
• Competitive compensation package
• Retirement benefit options
• Paid leave starting at 21 days.
• Professional development opportunities
• Daily, quarterly, and annual community spiritual formation
• Robust staff care resources.

IJM holds strict safeguarding principles and a zero tolerance to violations of the Safeguarding Policy, Protection against Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment Policy, and Code of Ethics. Candidate selection is based on technical competence, recruitment, selection and hiring criteria subject to assessing the candidates value congruence and thorough background, police clearance, and reference check processes.

IJM requires a background check, police clearance and thorough review of references with an employment offer and/or employment contract.