Transform the lives of the most marginalized and vulnerable communities and be at the forefront of social change.

About You:  A driven and passionate early-career professional looking to work alongside an inspiring, dynamic team of leading human rights workers. The candidate will have exceptional project coordination skills and embrace a collaborative, team approach to the work they do. This person has experience living and working in challenging operating environments and is eager to gain experience working on innovative human rights projects that support some of the most vulnerable people in Iraq and the Iraqi Kurdistan Region.

About Heartland Alliance International: Heartland Alliance International’s (HAI) mission is to secure the rights and well-being of marginalized people and communities. HAI envisions a world in which those whose rights have been violated are safe and empowered to actively engage in their communities and be at the forefront of social change.

In October 2019, HAI has started the Marla Ruzicka War Victims Fund, a two-year program providing civilians victims of war with services aimed at recovering their physical and mental health, supporting their social reintegration and restoring their human rights violated as a result of the conflict. The program is implemented by a consortium of NGOs comprising Heartland Alliance International, Humanity and Inclusion (HI, formerly known as Handicap International), War Child United Kingdom, the Iraqi Association of Disability Organizations, and Al Taqwa organization.

The program entails setting up two trauma rehabilitation and treatment centers in Baghdad and Basra which will provide physiotherapy, psychiatric, psychological and psychosocial support services, as well as legal assistance to women, men, boys and girls, including persons with disabilities, whose rights have been grossly violated as a result of the war. The centers will use a case management model and group sessions, and will involve both center-based and outreach mobile services.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

The Community outreach worker will be based in Baghdad, Iraq with frequent travel within the Baghdad and Anbar governorates, and possibly other project areas such as Basra, Ninawa and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. The Community outreach worker will work under the direct supervision of the Lead Case Manager TRTC coordinator and the technical guidance of the Special Case Manager and the MHPSS Coordinator. She or he will be responsible for providing outreach services for urgent and sensitive cases such as children in conflict with the law, unaccompanied and separated children, SGBV, risk of self-harm and suicide, and survivors of torture and trauma. The services will be provided as a mobile service in the community. The Community outreach will ensure compassionate and care-driven services are provided, ensuring proper safety planning and referrals when needed.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide information and advice on existing social services (project services) and how to access them.
• Identify individual cases through regular presence in the community and accept referrals from the Consortium partners, other agencies and community partners.
• Facilitate multiple care aspects (case coordination, information sharing, referral, etc.)
• Record cases information, and complete accurately all necessary forms and produce statistical reports as needed.
• Provide group community awareness about mental health and psychosocial support, contribute to raising awareness of psychological trauma, and request security access to services, advocacy, and stigma reduction.
• In cooperation with the case manager or PSS worker, provide and facilitate peer support groups both at the Trauma Rehabilitation and Treatment Center in Baghdad and Anbar, or through community visits.
• Conduct initial (rapid) assessments for identified cases and prioritize them according to risk level.
• Regularly follow up to ensure all services and action points listed in the case plan are carried out within agreed time frames. Ensure that progress is regularly reviewed.
• Regularly monitor and support to service participants and their families through home visits, providing guidance, advice and emotional support, community mediation and referrals.
• Regularly document cases using case notes and other agreed upon forms, update databases to ensure a comprehensive record of the case.
• Ensure that data collection and storage respect data protection protocols and confidentiality principle.
• Keep proper records of field expenditures when appropriate and report on these to Lead Case Manager.
• Submit reports weekly reports concerning implemented outreach activities and cases and participate in weekly case conferences.

Qualifications:

Essential

• A bachelor degree in sociology or social work.
• Minimum two years of relevant work experience in counseling, social work
• Experience in working in the social sector, particularly with IDPs or refugees, or with programs focused on war victims with basic counseling skills and techniques
• A strong commitment to human rights, including gender equality and child safeguarding, and to implementation of international humanitarian principles.
• Ability to reside Baghdad area and travel to other project areas and possibly Kurdistan Region of Iraq
• Ability to work 40 hours per week, and as needed to work more time and according to demand.

Languages:

• Essential – Arabic
• Desirable – Basic in English (read, write and communicate). Knowledge of other local dialect an advantage.

Computer Skills:

• Microsoft Office (e.g. Outlook, Word, PowerPoint), and other software applicable to the area of work

Personal Competencies:

Collaborative spirit and ability to work independently as well as in a team; commitment to knowledge sharing and teamwork; positive attitude and ability to see through challenges to find solutions; and strong interpersonal skills and an ability to clearly communicate, including complex concepts into layperson language.

Resilience:

This project will address sensitive issues. Interested applicants should have a  strong  commitment  to  child rights, addressing  the  issue  of  the  use  of  torture  with  cultural sensitivity, respect, and confidentiality.  Candidates should be flexible, have a sense of patience, and be able to work effectively independently and as a member of a team.

Please send your CV and cover letter for this link in the below 

https://heartlandalliance.bamboohr.com/jobs/view.php?id=464