Protection Officer (Case Management – Stateless) - Beirut

Background of the project 

Founded in 1933, the International Rescue Committee (www.theIRC.org) is a world leader in relief, rehabilitation and post-conflict development services for those uprooted or affected by violent conflict and oppression. The IRC is currently working around the world, addressing immediate and lifesaving needs of conflict affected people and the reconstruction needs of post-conflict societies.  The IRC has been working in Lebanon since 2012 to provide support to refugees and vulnerable host community members. 

The IRC is implementing protection programming all over Lebanon.  The programming includes protection monitoring and information dissemination, legal service provision, community mobilization, support for district-level coordination and case management for high-risk protection cases in specific areas, cash for protection and protection mainstreaming with internal and external stakeholders. 

IRC Protection and Rule of Law Programming is expanding in case management for Persons with Special needs focusing on supporting stateless persons in Lebanon. The IRC will build upon the demonstrated expertise in case management services to provide support to stateless persons.

Job Overview:  The Protection Officer will be responsible for the supervision and management of a Case Management team consisting of 2 Case Workers in Beirut and Mount Lebanon. He/she is also responsible of providing direct support and care for complex high-risk cases of persons with specific needs (stateless), including support for case management outreach strategy, accompanying case workers in home visits and follow up of stateless cases in Beirut and Mount Lebanon. Protection Officer will be supervised by the Senior Protection Manager- BML to ensure adherence to quality standards in service provision and management.

Major Responsibilities: Major responsibilities of the Protection Officer are listed below:

Technical Supervision - Case Management

• Receive referrals regarding stateless individuals and families with specific needs who are detected from outreach and other activities (Internally through Protection Monitoring Teams, Legal Team and externally through service providers and UNHCR).
• Disseminate cases to the Case Workers for their follow up.
• Assure quality control of case management services conducted by Case Workers as following:
  • Case workers work with identified individuals and families to develop and implement an action plan in accordance with their needs, capacities and goals.
  • Provide individuals and families’ with choices and options, including seeking out alternatives when the needed services are not available, and actively involve individuals and/or families in decision making that will affect them.
  • Assess risk and support individuals and families to understand risks relevant to their situation.
  • Link individuals and families with support groups and networks, and other community-based resources, as appropriate.
  • Assure documentation/filing for each individual case is complete and updated on case management platform.
  • Ensure that the Case Management team implement and respect best practices, and IRC protocols for case management.
  • Organize and facilitate case file review sessions to ensure appropriate case management procedures are followed up on and quality case management practices are implemented
• When needed and especially for complex cases Protection Officer can hand closely specific cases when needed.

Team supervision

• Weekly review of case workers caseload and field support.
• Develop capacity building plans for the Case Management team to further strengthen; continuously assess capacities and prepare capacity building plans accordingly in coordination with the Snr. Protection Manager- BML.
• Organize case management meetings with service providers when needed.
• Maintain a positive working relationship within the team and promote team-building efforts.
• Prepare and submit weekly and monthly work plans in a timely manner to the Snr. Protection Manager’s validation.
• Prepare and submit monthly case management and M&E reports in a timely manner to the Snr.  Protection Manager’s review.

Coordination and representation

• Coordinate closely with legal officer in BML for access to justice services for stateless cases under case management.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationship with IRC Sectors and stakeholders community leaders and service providers for prompt referral, follow up and information sharing.
• Coordinate with BML referral officer on up-to-date service mapping of the service providers operating in the area and take proactive steps to remain informed about the available services.
• Assess gaps in service provision to support advocacy for capacity building support and other responses targeting stateless in Lebanon.
• Lobby on behalf of stateless individuals and families to access services and support individuals and families to effectively represent their views, needs and capacities in all meetings affecting them.
• Coordinate with other protection departments for integrated approach on specific cases and for other relevant activities as per action plan set with Snr. Protection Manager and other sector leads within IRC.

Job Requirements:

Work Experience:

• 4 - 5 years of experience in case management and counseling.
• 3 years of experience in project and team management.
• Experience in training and/or building capacity of team members through coaching and mentoring.
• Experience working with stateless population.
• Experience working with international organizations.

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

• Ability to maintain confidentiality, respect, non-discrimination and safety of beneficiaries at all times.
• Ability to provide technical support, trainings and supervision of the case management team.
• Excellent communication, writing and presentational skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and problem-solving skills, creativity and flexibility.
• Strong team spirit, comfortable in a multi-cultural environment.
• Positive, professional attitude, organized, composed and prioritizes work under pressure, work overtime when necessary and is able to coordinate multiple tasks and maintain attention to detail.
• Ability to work as a member of a team and comfortable in a multi-cultural environment.
• Must be computer literate (Microsoft Word and Excel).
• Comfortable working on online platforms.

Education:  Bachelor/Degree in Social work, Counseling, Psychology or other related field.

Language Skills:  Fluency in Arabic and English is required.

Certificates or Licenses: Case Management Certificate

Working Environment:  Located in Beirut and Mount Lebanon. Working environment will be a combination of office based (50%) and field-based (50%).