VAC-11898 Child Protection Social Worker

UNICEF child protection supports to strengthen child protection system in Afghanistan closely working with government sectors and non-government partners on system building, justice for children, birth registration, elimination of harmful practices and child protection in emergencies. UNICEF supports to strengthen psycho-social support services to better respond to the needs of children abused or at risk of abuse and violence.

The key challenge in responding to the growing child protection crisis is the absence of a qualified, incentivized workforce. To meet the needs of Afghan children and women within the current context, UNICEF anticipated a need of 25 social workers per 100,000 children.

However, due to the turnover of social workers as well as the expiry of NGO partnerships, the numbers of social workers are in constant fluctuation, and continuous training and deployment is needed. Therefore, to be able to provide the services to the most vulnerable children in Afghanistan and in line with the aforementioned strategy, UNICEF continues to recruit and train members of the social welfare workforce who will support the provision of humanitarian child protection integrated specialized services including case management, family tracing and reunification (FTR), provision of psychosocial support (PSS), referrals to education, health, and other specialized services, and income generating activities for vulnerable children and their families, among other interventions.

The Child protection social worker is required to closely work with the team and relevant stakeholders to achieve the goals and objective designed for this program. S/he is also required to manage and oversee the effective implementation of case management, awareness raising activities, PFA, and other activities.

Specific Responsibilities for CP social worker

Under the guidance of UNICEF Child Protection Specialists and Child Protection Officers, and in coordination with Child Protection Provincial Supervisor, the CP social worker will be responsible for:

• Support the case management process of child protection cases.
• Provide guidance and supports to the Child Friendly Space facilitators and para social workers.
• Support and follow up the referral pathway, and ensure children are receiving the appropriate services through a coordinated approach.
• Coordinate with provincial supervisor in supporting child protection cases.
• Ensure children are safeguarded through care processes and minimum standards of care are applied.
• Have proper coordination with district and village CPANs and interaction with provincial CPAN.
• Actively engage in all capacity-building opportunities, including formal training in close coordination with the technical social work advisor.
• Support the case management and other assistance related to PSVG (protection and support for vulnerable groups).
• Support child protection campaigns, community mobilization, and mediation.
• Collaborate with other child protection colleagues and key stakeholders to regularly report child protection issues.
• Any other relevant duty assigned to him/her by the supervisor(s).

Reporting to CP Extender and CTG Account Manager

Specific Responsibilities for CP social worker

Under the guidance of UNICEF Child Protection Specialists and Child Protection Officers, and in coordination with Child Protection Provincial Supervisor, the CP social worker will be responsible for:

• Support the case management process of child protection cases.
• Provide guidance and supports to the Child Friendly Space facilitators and para social workers.
• Support and follow up the referral pathway, and ensure children are receiving the appropriate services through a coordinated approach.
• Coordinate with provincial supervisor in supporting child protection cases.
• Ensure children are safeguarded through care processes and minimum standards of care are applied.
• Have proper coordination with district and village CPANs and interaction with provincial CPAN.
• Actively engage in all capacity-building opportunities, including formal training in close coordination with the technical social work advisor.
• Support the case management and other assistance related to PSVG (protection and support for vulnerable groups).
• Support child protection campaigns, community mobilization, and mediation.
• Collaborate with other child protection colleagues and key stakeholders to regularly report child protection issues.
• Any other relevant duty assigned to him/her by the supervisor(s).

N/A

Required Qualifications:

• Graduates of social work, psychology, or counselling departments at registered universities, if there are insufficient graduates from these specific degree programmes, graduates from related fields such as education, social science, health, or law will be recruited if they pass minimum training standards.
• At least three years’ work experience in child protection programs with national or international organizations.
• Be resident of the target province and district, have complete familiarity with the relevant province and access to the hard-to-reach areas.
• Working experience with children in conflict with the law, children with mental health disorders and without parental care.
• Understanding of PSS, social work, case management and protection needs of vulnerable children.
• Strong level of expertise in communication with children and families, representation, facilitation, mobilization, and negotiation with children and community.
• Fluency in Pashto and Dari is a must (English will be an asset).