Vacancy title:
9 District Action Centre Officers

Jobs at:
World Education Inc. /Bantwana (WEI/B

Deadline of this Job:
Friday, June 22, 2018 at 5:00pm

Duty Station:
Uganda

Job details:

World Education Inc. /Bantwana (WEI/B) is a Non-Government Organization that helps children orphaned and made vulnerable by HIV/ AIDS to access the comprehensive support and care they need to grow into healthy adults.
World Education Inc. /Bantwana (WEI/B) is implementing a five-year USAID funded BETTER OUTCOMES Project for Children and Youth in Eastern and Northern Uganda. The goal of the project is to improve the wellbeing of children and youth orphaned and made vulnerable by HIV and other adversities in Eastern and Northern Uganda. BETTER OUTCOMES is implemented by a consortium of five partners, namely: WEI/B as the prime partner; Mercy Corps, Uganda Women’s Efforts to Save Orphans (UWESO), Youth Alive each responsible for specific technical aspects of the project. The project is being implemented in 20 districts.

As an equal opportunity employer, WEI/Bantwana is seeking to hire qualified persons to fill the below positions;

Position: District Action Centre Officer (09 Positions)
Reports to: Case Management Coordinator
Duty Station: East: Bugiri, Jinja, Kamuli, Mayuge, Mbale and Tororo
North: Agago, Apac and Oyam

Background
Strengthening the national child protection systems and social service workforce is key in responding to Violence Against Children (VAC) in Uganda. World Education Inc, Bantwana Initiatives (WEI/B) with funding from USAID/Better Outcomes Project is supporting Gender Labor and Social Development (MoGLSD) – National Child Helpline (CHL) to establish 9 district action centers to enhance response for reported cases of VAC. The initiative is being linked to the existing Closed Caller User Group (CUG) network for child protection stakeholders. The integration of CHL and CUG will improve timely reporting and response through PSWs and Probation and Social Welfare Office.

Job Summary
The primary role of the District Action Centre Officer (DACO) will be to provide response to reported cases of child rights violation through the national call center referral system, CUG and walk-in approach. The DACO will work closely with Probation and Social Welfare Officer (PSWO) to ensure functionality and operationalization of CHL and CUG in district of operation. The Officer will be based at the district headquarters with close collaboration with the Bantwana project team and community structures.

Major responsibilities
A: Psychosocial Support

• Provide immediate response to cases of child rights violations received through the National call centre referral system and CUG stakeholders with in the district of operation.
• Respond to and follow up other cases reported through walk-in, and other media (TV and radio and newspaper reports, U-Report).
• Provide counselling to the extended family of the child survivor to support the child survivor.
• Provide counselling to child survivors of abuse and guide them to make informed decisions.
  B: Referrals and Linkages
• Refer children to the relevant service providers and make an appropriate follow-up.
• Strengthen linkages as well as maintain effective coordination with other child protection service providers.
• Liaise with the National Call Centre for additional information and technical support during the handling of reported child protection issues.
• Identify and build relationships with child protection service institutions within the District.
• Develop and maintain an updated inventory of child protection service providers.
• Conduct monthly feedback meeting with referral network service providers to address referral bottlenecks.
  C: Documentation and record keeping
• Register cases received and handled at the Centre.
• Support the Supervisor to prepare progress reports for submission to UCHL National Secretariat, WEI/B and to other relevant stakeholder.
• Develop and coordinate the implementation of a case plan following reported cases.
• Update case information either directly into the case management system or through the case support workers at national level.
• Ensure safe custody of client data.
• Conduct period client satisfaction survey on CHL and CUG services
  D: Collaboration, Networking and Advocacy
• Raise awareness about the Child Helpline (CHL) and CUG services in the district.
• Work with facility linkage assistants and PSWs to support tracking of lost to follow up clients.
• Liaise with stakeholders and share prompt updates with WEI/B IT Manager and CM team on the functionality of CUG.
• Maintain close contact with the project staff, PSWs and other community structures on the status of cases reported, resolved and those still pending for follow up.

Qualification, Knowledge, Skills, Attributes and Abilities

• At least a degree in any of these disciplines: Psychology, Counselling, Social Work/Sciences, Sociology, Anthropology, Child Development or Health Sciences.
• Basic knowledge and training in child protection.
• Experience in child welfare / community work.
• A good understanding and speaking of the dominant local languages spoken in the community served by the Action Centre is a MUST.
• An innate passion for children is a MUST.
• Skills in supporting referrals and linkages between and among communities and health facilities or coordinating OVC activities in a project environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication or interpersonal skills is a must.
• Ability and willingness to travel within the supported district.
• Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary team
• Possess a high standard of personal and professional integrity.

Job application procedure

Interested applicants with the required Qualification, Knowledge, Skills, Attributes and Abilities should send their applications and CVs (detailing responsibilities carried out in previous positions) to the Human Resource Manager, World Education Inc. Bantwana through the following Email: wei_recruitment@ug.worlded.org . Indicate clearly on the application subject line the position applied for including duty station location preference for District Action Centre Officer. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.