All NRC employees are expected to work in accordance with the organization’s core values: dedication, innovation, inclusivity and accountability. These attitudes and believes shall guide our actions and relationships.

1. Role and responsibilities

The purpose of a Protection Caseworker position within the Protection from Violence program team is to contribute with specific technical competencies relating to case management. This position will normally not entail management responsibility of staff, but under certain circumstances, the job may entail management responsibility for a very limited number of staff.

The following is a brief description of the role.

Generic responsibilities

1. Ensure compliance with NRC policies, guidelines and standards.
2. Ensure compliance with the Protection from Violence Core Competency (CC) strategy, tools, handbooks, guidelines and standards.
3. Protection from Violence-specific technical responsibility for implementation of technical activities of CC project(s).
4. Protection from Violence-specific technical responsibility for project documentation of technical activities of CC project(s).
5. Provide specific technical support and capacity building towards project staff.
6. Provide specific technical analysis and feedback to NRC representatives in coordination forums.
7. Assess, promote, and document ideas for technical improvement and further program development options.
8. Ensure that projects target individuals most in need, and explore and asses new and better ways to provide protection services.
9. Promote the rights of IDPs/returnees and all conflict-affected people in line with the advocacy strategy.

Specific responsibilities 

• Carry out protection case management in line with NRC Protection Case Management guidelines and tools, including conducting intake and assessment, creating and implementing client-centered case plans, and following up on case plans in a timely manner.
• Support the roll-out of NRC’s Protection Case Management pilot programme, including conducting protection analysis, key stakeholder engagement, and assessment of internal capacity.
• Participate in any other related activity as delegated / in coordination with the Line Manager (General Protection Case Management Coordinator).

Individual case management

• Identify and receive referrals of persons at heightened risk.
• Assist the team in identifying and responding to emergency protection cases.
• Conduct household visits and interviews to assess the needs of concerned individuals and families.
• Provide information to individuals and families about their rights and entitlements, including what services are available.
• Work with identified individuals and families to develop and implement an action plan in accordance with their needs, capacities and goals.
• Assess risk and support clients in understanding risks relevant to their protection situation.
• Provide psychosocial support (including psychological first aid) to case management clients, as needed.
• Refer protection cases to relevant internal colleagues and external partners.

Coordination

• Contribute to the maintenance of an up-to-date service mapping of the service providers.
• Receive cases referred from other agencies and actors and follow up on them.
• Advocate on behalf of clients to access services and support clients to effectively represent their views, needs and capacities in all meetings affecting them.
• Collaborate with other team members when needed, including information sharing and peer-to-peer review.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with relevant stakeholders including partner agencies, community leaders and service providers including government social protection agencies.

Data management, project management and reporting

• Ensure complete and updated documentation related to each individual case.
• Manage, file and store data, ensuring the confidentiality and accuracy of the information collected, both in the database and in filing cabinets.
• Prepare and submit weekly and monthly work plans, as requested.
• Report internally to the Case Management Coordinator on weekly and monthly achievements and challenges.
• Support the implementation of monitoring and evaluation tools and report on problems in the implementation of the programme.
• Attend internal case management reviews, planning meetings, and Protection from Violence regular calls.
• Prepare procurement or cash transfer requests for in-kind/cash assistance in line with case plans and ensure project documents are collected and saved offline and online in line with project requirements and Protection Information Management principles.

Capacity-building, dissemination and community outreach

• Assist in capacity building of NRC staff and partners, including community groups and volunteer networks, to identify and safely refer cases for protection case management.
• Support the preparation of appropriate training materials as needed.
• Conduct qualitative data collection, assessments, key informant interviews and focus group discussions to identify community needs and protection service gaps.
• Carry out regular field visits and conduct information sessions on available services, and otherwise raise awareness of protection case management services among target populations.

Critical interfaces

By interfaces, NRC means processes and projects that are interlinked with other departments/units or persons. Relevant interfaces for this position are:

• Protection from Violence programme staffthe
• Information, counseling and legal aid programme staff

Scale and scope of position

1. Competencies 

Competencies are important in order for the employee and the organization to deliver desired results. They are relevant for all staff and are divided into the following three categories:

1. Professional competencies 

These are skills, knowledge and experience that are important for effective performance.

Generic professional competencies for this position:

• Experience from working in a humanitarian/ recovery context.
• Previous experience from working in complex and volatile contexts.
• Working competency in English, both written and verbal.
• Level of knowledge and practice with Word, Excel, Outlook, etc. required.
• Documented results related to the position’s responsibilities.

Context/specific skills, knowledge, required education background and experience:

• University degree in a social science, international law, or a related field.
• Experience with case management, social or protection work (general protection case management preferred, gender-based violence or child protection case management acceptable).
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, respect, non-discrimination and safety of clients at all times.
• Good communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and problem-solving skills, creativity and flexibility, teamwork and change management skills, developed decision-making skills.
• Ability to work effectively with people from all backgrounds, and develop strategies to address barriers faced by individuals most at risk of discrimination.
• Previous training in psychosocial support or psychological assistance.
• Well-developed organizational skills.
• Experience in conducting community outreach and awareness-raising activities.
• Experience working with databases and tracking tools.
• Good knowledge of data protection standards.
• Understanding of protection issues in Ukraine.

2. Behavioural competencies (max 6)

These are personal qualities that influence how successful people are in their job. NRC’s Competency Framework states 12 behavioral competencies, the following are essential for this position:

• Planning and delivering results
• Working with people
• Communicating with impact and respect
• Handling insecure environments