Gender-Based Violence Counsellor

Internal /External Vacancy Announcement

About the Organization: 

Ethiopian Midwives Association (EMwA) is a legally registered, autonomous, and not-for-profit professional association established in 1992 and re-registered under the new civil society proclamation. Ethiopian Midwives Association (EMwA) operates in all regions of Ethiopia by using and works for the quality of midwifery education and care. EMwA has been a member of the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) since 1993.

The primary goal of EMwA is to contribute towards the reduction of maternal and child mortality and morbidity in Ethiopia, which are the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) global initiatives. The vision of the association is to see every woman, newborn, and their family have access to standard midwifery care. The mission of the association is to promote and enhance the expansion, performance and status of midwifery profession through adapting quality and evidence-based practices; adhering to the code of ethics and conduct empowering the professionals.

Position summary: 

Under direct supervision of the Project coordinator/manager, Gender-Based Violence Counsellor will coordinate, supervises and manages provision of GBV. She is responsible for reporting monthly on all GBV protection activities undertaken by the Response team. Representing EMwA at meetings with stakeholders. The scope of the work would include development or adaptation of training & monitoring tools, trainings community members, monitoring program progress and adjusting as necessary. He/she is also tasked with providing technical assistance and guidance to mainstream protection related issues.

MAJOR/KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide comprehensive psychosocial counseling to SGBV survivors focused on the survivor centered case management approach.
• Provide assessment and counseling both at individual and group level as the situation demands.
• Ensure all work with SGBV survivors is confidential and ethical practices are observed.
• Document client data accurately in the intake forms and ensure they are under lock and key.
• Ensure that the GBVIMS is accurately updated on a regular basis.
• Take lead in the interpretation of the analyzed data on trends and work with Protection manager to disseminate information to all relevant stakeholders.
• Take lead in the development of the case management monitoring tools and systems and ensure that all staffs that are required to utilize it are trained on the correct way of handling the systems.
• Maintain and strengthen existing networks through other service providers at the fields, to ensure that survivors receive quality services and support both at the agency levels.
• Take lead scheduled meetings such as the Case Conferences to discuss difficult cases with other partners providing case management services and document the intervention provided.
• Identify new networks to work with to ensure wholesome support to the clients.
• Work in close collaboration with the GBV officer to ensure on-going needs of at-risk groups, women and girls are being met in the prevention related activities.
• Strengthen existing referral systems and networks of psychosocial service providers.
• In collaboration with other partners, design appropriate psychosocial interventions within the community focusing on the psychosocial needs of adults, youth and children.
• Create and enhance new and existing referral networks between partners implementing GBV Protection programs in the implementation of referral pathways.
• Participate in conducting trainings for partners on relevant organizational development areas and support peer learning between EMwA and other partner agencies.
• Conduct sensitization and capacity building sessions with the wider population about issues of trauma and GBV.
• Facilitate formation of support groups for survivors of GBV and other vulnerable groups.
• Identify and strengthen Community structures through engaging community leaders and other stakeholders to ensure that the survivors receive adequate support at the community level.
• Support the GBV officer and Protection Monitors, in dissemination of relevant information during the Community GBV prevention forums and meetings.
• Maintain a regular system of project evaluation, using both qualitative and quantitative indicators, and feeding into program adjustments.
• Produce a monthly protection report to be distributed to stakeholders and donors, and to be used as an integral part of ongoing advocacy efforts.
• Ensure that activities are implemented in accordance with agreed strategies, principles, implementation plans, and donor requirement.
• Identify protection gaps with a view to generating ideas for future projects.
• Take lead in the preparation of accurate reports for all psychosocial related activities.
• Appraise and mentor EMwA protection staff by identifying clear deliverables and providing training as needed.
• Conduct continuous performance/evaluation for the Para counsellors working under her/him.
• Engage in quality self-care through supervision, debriefings, and other shared sessions.
• Conduct regular formal and on-job training and mentorship to the Psychosocial Counsellors and Para-Counsellors on areas related to Case Management, Counselling and other related topics to enhance professionalism.
• Conduct regular case conference meetings with the GBV Response team both at individual and group levels.
• Organize for capacity building for staff on GBV Case Management and Therapeutic Counselling techniques.
• Perform other Duties as assigned

Required number: Six (five for Amhara and one for Benishangul Gumuz)

Location: Amhara and Benishangul Gumuz 

Qualifications: 

• BA/Master’s degree in Psychology or related field.
• At least 3 years of counselling and social work experience with BA degree and 2 years for MA.
• At least 2 years of mental health and psychosocial programming experience.
• In depth knowledge and experience of mental health and psychosocial programming in the humanitarian context essential.
• Familiarity with Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) Guidelines on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings.
• On hand experience in basic protection aspects.
• A competent trainer with good experience of developing and implementing training plans.
• Proficient in use of computers, able to use - Microsoft Word, Excel and Epi-Info and relevant data processing software packages. Should be conversant with use of internet and email systems.

Key Behaviors and Abilities:

• Excellent coordination and communication skills.
• Should have good documentation and dissemination / presentation skills.
• Should be able to live, work and travel in an insecure environment, following strict security guidelines at all times.
• Proven capacity to work in a quickly moving, unstable situation and work against targeted outputs with tight time frames and deadlines
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and ability to work in a multi-cultural environment.
• High level of confidentiality and integrity.
• Experience of working under high pressure
• Strong service orientation with the ability to proactively approach staff to understand their needs and to find effective solutions.
• Strong organizational skills ability to handle multiple priorities in an autonomous manner.
• Gender-sensitive
• Understanding of and commitment to the “Humanitarian principles”
• Understanding of and commitment to EMwA code of conduct and organizational goals

Languages

• Ability to communicate effectively both spoken & written in English and Amharic
• Ability to speak local language.