Information & Counselling Officer
JOB DESCRIPTION AND TERMS OF REFERENCE
JOB TITLE: Information & Counselling Officer
DUTY STATION: Aweil Northern Bahr el Ghazal
CONTRACT PERIOD: 6 months
REPORTING TO: PC, ICLA Aweil
BACKGROUND
The signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) between the Government of Sudan (GoS) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) on 9th January 2005, brought an end to one of Africa’s most protracted conflicts resulting in the deaths of approximately two million people. Around 500,000 refugees and 4 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) continue to find the ways and means to return and reintegrate to areas they were forced to flee during the war. Implementation of the complex agreement will demand total commitment from all parties and entails bringing security, stability and development to the population of a diverse and immense country.
NRC’S PROGRAMMES
As a humanitarian and emergency relief organization, the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) has been operational in Sudan since 2004 providing assistance to IDPs, returnees, refugees and host communities in areas of significant return. In February 2004 the Country Office was established in Khartoum, followed by field offices in Rumbek, the provincial capital of Southern Sudan, in Nyala, South Darfur, and in Kadugli, Southern Kordofan. In 2006 NRC closed operations in Darfur, and on 5 March 2009 NRC was expelled from the North and Transitional Areas.
In 2006, NRC opened an office in Juba, Central Equatoria (CE), which has since replaced Khartoum as the Country Office, and in 2007, opened field offices in Aweil, Northern Bahr El Ghazal (NBeG), and in Yei, CE. An office was also briefly maintained in Kajo Keji during 2008.
Programmatically, NRC currently operates an integrated programme focused on four out of NRC’s usual five core activities: Education, Shelter (School Construction), Emergency Food Security and Distribution (EFSD) and Information, Counselling and Legal Assistance (ICLA). NRC Southern Sudan remains a programme in expansion. New areas of operation will be identified, assessed and programmes initiated as a continuous process in the coming years. All staff in NRC Southern Sudan have a specific pioneering role to play in this regard. In 2011, NRC is expanding into Warrap State to respond to the needs of the large numbers of returnees and IDPs in that state.
PROJECT PURPOSE
The ICLA project, like other NRC programmes, is designed to provide protection and durable solutions for IDPs, refugees and returnees in Southern Sudan, thereby contributing to the improvement of their living conditions and the development of viable and sustainable solutions.
REPORTING TO
The Information & Counselling Officer will report to the ICLA PC Aweil Project Coordinator.
RESPONSIBILITIES
This job description and terms of reference is an appendix to the contract and the employer can at any time make changes, following discussions with the Country Director, ICLA Programme Manager (PM) and the Information & Counselling Officer.
1. Purpose of the position
Under the guidance of the ICLA PC,Aweil, the Information & Counselling Officer will:
• Contribute to the achievement of NRC’s objectives in Sudan;
• Contribute to the planning and implementation of the ICLA project in Sudan;
• Be responsible for the delivery of information and counselling activities by the counselling team to IDPs, refugees and returnees in Aweil.
2. Duties and Responsibilities
• Contribute to the development of ICLA Sudan, as well as NRC’s activities plan, in collaboration with the PM, PC and TL;
• Provide relevant direction, supervision and technical support to the information and counselling unit in coordination with the PC;
• Identify, document and address return-related social, administrative and legal challenges faced by returnees, IDPs and host communities;
• Monitor and report to the PC protection issues, concerns and trends in the area of operation;
• Offer individual information and/or counselling sessions to clients facing return or (re)integration related problems;
• Develop and implement protection related activities relevant and appropriate for the various different target groups of NRC and the ICLA project;
• Follow up on the issues raised during the counselling sessions so as to resolve them through a referral when possible and/or advocacy with the relevant stakeholders;
• Take the lead in mapping, documenting and regularly updating an overview of the activities and services of government institutions and other organisations, in order to ensure effective referral of clients and coordinate the mapping and referrals between the different counsellors;
• Develop strong working relationships with all other units of the ICLA project, to ensure optimum cooperation and identify opportunities for synergies and joint activities;
• Report any difficulties encountered that may in any way delay or hamper project implementation; and provide the support required to the information counsellors to meet their targets;
• Recommend how best to strengthen and improve the NRC approach to information gathering and the information and counselling services provided in the different communities;
• Ensure that client forms, reports and documents are properly filled out and filed, and client confidentiality respected; lead weekly counsellors’ meetings are taking place and ensure information is shared between the different counsellors
• Collaborate closely with the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer on the use of forms and the monitoring of the counselling team’s activities;
• Ensure that NRC office premises and ICLA centres are kept in good order, and that NRC property is protected and used for its intended purpose
• Document work, progress, problems and achievements in regular reports to supervisor as instructed and perform any administrative duties that may be required, including accounting for project expenses incurred;
• Liaise with NRC partners and other stakeholders (returnees, host community, authorities, community leaders, CBOs, NGOs, UN) on return related issues, including land and property issues, advocating for IDPs, refugee and returnee rights and participate in the relevant coordination meetings;
• Represent NRC in a professional manner in meetings with partners;
• Monitor, evaluate and suggest improvements to the ICLA project based on observations, assessments and discussions with the ICLA staff and ICLA Management Team (PM, PC and TLs);
• Other relevant tasks as assigned by supervisor.
3. Criteria for fulfilment of responsibilities
• Reaching the objectives in accordance with established plans for the ICLA project in Sudan
• Respond to dilemmas and problems, in cooperation with colleagues and partners
• Compile accurate and timely reports on counselling activities in accordance with timeframes and the project’s targets in a timely and accurate manner;
PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND
• At least 2-3 years experience in IDP/refugee related programmes;
• Experience in issues related to reintegration and early recovery programmes in post-conflict locations and understanding of needs of beneficiary population
• Proven experience in community development work with groups and individuals.
ESSENTIAL SKILLS
• Significant understanding of complex emergencies and crisis contexts
• Political and cultural awareness and experience of working where insecurity is a major issue
• Proven communication, interpersonal, representation, and negotiation skills
• Fluency in both spoken and written English
• Fluency in [Arabic/Dinka] and another Southern Sudanese language
• High-level competency in computer skills (common Microsoft Windows and Office applications);
• Significant experience in liaising with partners and other relevant external actors including key GoSS authorities;
• Ability to manage and support a team
• Proactive and able to make constructive recommendations and suggestions on how to develop and strengthen the programme.
FORMAL EDUCATION
• University degree or other diploma or qualification combined with relevant professional experience in community work, social work, implementation of humanitarian programmes, previous experience working with CBOs or NGOs.
• Very strong understanding of protection principles, human rights and humanitarian principles and practices
PERSONAL QUALITIES
• Ability to work under pressure, independently and with limited supervision
• Highly organised, reliable, mature, and able to work independently as well as in a team;
• Flexibility, creativity, and a good sense of humour helps.
• A continued commitment to work and learn about human rights and returnee, refugee, IDP and host community issues.
• Holder of a valid national motorcycle licence (the employee will be required to use a motorcycle for movements in Aweil.
DESIRED SKILLS
• Detailed knowledge of socio-economic conditions in Southern Sudan.
• Holder of a valid national driver’s licence.
DUTY STATION AND LIVING CONDITIONS
The duty station is Aweil, Northern Bahr el Ghazal. Duties will include travel inside Southern Sudan.
As the position is for a Sudanese national the employee will be responsible for finding his or her own accommodation.
SALARY LEVEL
Salary level starts at Category 6, Level 1 of the NRC Sudan Salary Scale.
CLOSIN DATE
11th March 2011
Signed,
Julie McKay [Name]
Country Director [Post title]]
NRC Sudan NRC Sudan
(Employer) (Employee)
By signing this job description, the employee accepts the terms of reference in addition to the NRC Guiding Principles on Sexual Harassment, the NRC Code of Conduct and the general terms and conditions as stipulated in the Contract of Employment with NRC.
JOB TITLE: Information & Counselling Officer
DUTY STATION: Aweil Northern Bahr el Ghazal
CONTRACT PERIOD: 6 months
REPORTING TO: PC, ICLA Aweil
BACKGROUND
The signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) between the Government of Sudan (GoS) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) on 9th January 2005, brought an end to one of Africa’s most protracted conflicts resulting in the deaths of approximately two million people. Around 500,000 refugees and 4 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) continue to find the ways and means to return and reintegrate to areas they were forced to flee during the war. Implementation of the complex agreement will demand total commitment from all parties and entails bringing security, stability and development to the population of a diverse and immense country.
NRC’S PROGRAMMES
As a humanitarian and emergency relief organization, the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) has been operational in Sudan since 2004 providing assistance to IDPs, returnees, refugees and host communities in areas of significant return. In February 2004 the Country Office was established in Khartoum, followed by field offices in Rumbek, the provincial capital of Southern Sudan, in Nyala, South Darfur, and in Kadugli, Southern Kordofan. In 2006 NRC closed operations in Darfur, and on 5 March 2009 NRC was expelled from the North and Transitional Areas.
In 2006, NRC opened an office in Juba, Central Equatoria (CE), which has since replaced Khartoum as the Country Office, and in 2007, opened field offices in Aweil, Northern Bahr El Ghazal (NBeG), and in Yei, CE. An office was also briefly maintained in Kajo Keji during 2008.
Programmatically, NRC currently operates an integrated programme focused on four out of NRC’s usual five core activities: Education, Shelter (School Construction), Emergency Food Security and Distribution (EFSD) and Information, Counselling and Legal Assistance (ICLA). NRC Southern Sudan remains a programme in expansion. New areas of operation will be identified, assessed and programmes initiated as a continuous process in the coming years. All staff in NRC Southern Sudan have a specific pioneering role to play in this regard. In 2011, NRC is expanding into Warrap State to respond to the needs of the large numbers of returnees and IDPs in that state.
PROJECT PURPOSE
The ICLA project, like other NRC programmes, is designed to provide protection and durable solutions for IDPs, refugees and returnees in Southern Sudan, thereby contributing to the improvement of their living conditions and the development of viable and sustainable solutions.
REPORTING TO
The Information & Counselling Officer will report to the ICLA PC Aweil Project Coordinator.
RESPONSIBILITIES
This job description and terms of reference is an appendix to the contract and the employer can at any time make changes, following discussions with the Country Director, ICLA Programme Manager (PM) and the Information & Counselling Officer.
1. Purpose of the position
Under the guidance of the ICLA PC,Aweil, the Information & Counselling Officer will:
• Contribute to the achievement of NRC’s objectives in Sudan;
• Contribute to the planning and implementation of the ICLA project in Sudan;
• Be responsible for the delivery of information and counselling activities by the counselling team to IDPs, refugees and returnees in Aweil.
2. Duties and Responsibilities
• Contribute to the development of ICLA Sudan, as well as NRC’s activities plan, in collaboration with the PM, PC and TL;
• Provide relevant direction, supervision and technical support to the information and counselling unit in coordination with the PC;
• Identify, document and address return-related social, administrative and legal challenges faced by returnees, IDPs and host communities;
• Monitor and report to the PC protection issues, concerns and trends in the area of operation;
• Offer individual information and/or counselling sessions to clients facing return or (re)integration related problems;
• Develop and implement protection related activities relevant and appropriate for the various different target groups of NRC and the ICLA project;
• Follow up on the issues raised during the counselling sessions so as to resolve them through a referral when possible and/or advocacy with the relevant stakeholders;
• Take the lead in mapping, documenting and regularly updating an overview of the activities and services of government institutions and other organisations, in order to ensure effective referral of clients and coordinate the mapping and referrals between the different counsellors;
• Develop strong working relationships with all other units of the ICLA project, to ensure optimum cooperation and identify opportunities for synergies and joint activities;
• Report any difficulties encountered that may in any way delay or hamper project implementation; and provide the support required to the information counsellors to meet their targets;
• Recommend how best to strengthen and improve the NRC approach to information gathering and the information and counselling services provided in the different communities;
• Ensure that client forms, reports and documents are properly filled out and filed, and client confidentiality respected; lead weekly counsellors’ meetings are taking place and ensure information is shared between the different counsellors
• Collaborate closely with the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer on the use of forms and the monitoring of the counselling team’s activities;
• Ensure that NRC office premises and ICLA centres are kept in good order, and that NRC property is protected and used for its intended purpose
• Document work, progress, problems and achievements in regular reports to supervisor as instructed and perform any administrative duties that may be required, including accounting for project expenses incurred;
• Liaise with NRC partners and other stakeholders (returnees, host community, authorities, community leaders, CBOs, NGOs, UN) on return related issues, including land and property issues, advocating for IDPs, refugee and returnee rights and participate in the relevant coordination meetings;
• Represent NRC in a professional manner in meetings with partners;
• Monitor, evaluate and suggest improvements to the ICLA project based on observations, assessments and discussions with the ICLA staff and ICLA Management Team (PM, PC and TLs);
• Other relevant tasks as assigned by supervisor.
3. Criteria for fulfilment of responsibilities
• Reaching the objectives in accordance with established plans for the ICLA project in Sudan
• Respond to dilemmas and problems, in cooperation with colleagues and partners
• Compile accurate and timely reports on counselling activities in accordance with timeframes and the project’s targets in a timely and accurate manner;
PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND
• At least 2-3 years experience in IDP/refugee related programmes;
• Experience in issues related to reintegration and early recovery programmes in post-conflict locations and understanding of needs of beneficiary population
• Proven experience in community development work with groups and individuals.
ESSENTIAL SKILLS
• Significant understanding of complex emergencies and crisis contexts
• Political and cultural awareness and experience of working where insecurity is a major issue
• Proven communication, interpersonal, representation, and negotiation skills
• Fluency in both spoken and written English
• Fluency in [Arabic/Dinka] and another Southern Sudanese language
• High-level competency in computer skills (common Microsoft Windows and Office applications);
• Significant experience in liaising with partners and other relevant external actors including key GoSS authorities;
• Ability to manage and support a team
• Proactive and able to make constructive recommendations and suggestions on how to develop and strengthen the programme.
FORMAL EDUCATION
• University degree or other diploma or qualification combined with relevant professional experience in community work, social work, implementation of humanitarian programmes, previous experience working with CBOs or NGOs.
• Very strong understanding of protection principles, human rights and humanitarian principles and practices
PERSONAL QUALITIES
• Ability to work under pressure, independently and with limited supervision
• Highly organised, reliable, mature, and able to work independently as well as in a team;
• Flexibility, creativity, and a good sense of humour helps.
• A continued commitment to work and learn about human rights and returnee, refugee, IDP and host community issues.
• Holder of a valid national motorcycle licence (the employee will be required to use a motorcycle for movements in Aweil.
DESIRED SKILLS
• Detailed knowledge of socio-economic conditions in Southern Sudan.
• Holder of a valid national driver’s licence.
DUTY STATION AND LIVING CONDITIONS
The duty station is Aweil, Northern Bahr el Ghazal. Duties will include travel inside Southern Sudan.
As the position is for a Sudanese national the employee will be responsible for finding his or her own accommodation.
SALARY LEVEL
Salary level starts at Category 6, Level 1 of the NRC Sudan Salary Scale.
CLOSIN DATE
11th March 2011
Signed,
Julie McKay [Name]
Country Director [Post title]]
NRC Sudan NRC Sudan
(Employer) (Employee)
By signing this job description, the employee accepts the terms of reference in addition to the NRC Guiding Principles on Sexual Harassment, the NRC Code of Conduct and the general terms and conditions as stipulated in the Contract of Employment with NRC.
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