Social Worker

[Baghdad,Iraq ]

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

About You:  A driven and passionate mid-career professional looking to work alongside an inspiring, dynamic team of leading human rights workers. The candidate will have exceptional case management 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 apply that experience working on innovative human rights projects that support some of the most vulnerable people in Iraq.

 

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 Iraq, HAI provides holistic services focusing on mental health and psychosocial support, legal aid, violence prevention, and social cohesion to diverse vulnerable populations.

 

The Project:  Heartland Alliance International (HAI), is implementing a project for its second year, project called Safer Future: Protection and Reintegration of Children Associated with Armed Groups. This project seeks to ensure that children who are associated with armed forces and armed groups (CAAFAG), including those detained/sentenced and those disengaged and at risk of radicalization, benefit from a functional and child-friendly system of justice that protects them and their rights and a comprehensive community-based reintegration program that promotes safe and sustainable reintegration through comprehensive social development and economic strengthening services. Project activities will be implement in the reformatory detention center in Bagdad and communities due to the severity of needs in these two governorates (Baghdad and Ninewa) and the conditions inside detention facilities. The project consists of three interrelated and mutually-reinforcing objectives: (1) Detained adolescents have access to comprehensive protection and mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) services and have their rights protected; (2) Children and adolescents who are released from detention and children in the community who are disengaged or at risk of radicalization have access to and benefit from  community-based reintegration services that are in line with international standards and best practices; (3) strengthening capacity of juvenile justice system in  Baghdad governorates to ensure the safeguarding of juveniles rights and best interests and adoption of child- friendly approaches throughout all stage of the judicial process, including diversion, alternative to detention, and trauma – informed care.      

 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:The social worker will be based in Bagdad governorate, and will be responsible to provide psychosocial support for convicted juveniles’ access in the Observation house for boys and girls, reformatory school for adolescents and reformatory school for juveniles in Baghdad. The social worker will work closely with the lead social worker on implementing Thrive program in Baghdad reformatory schools with the sentenced juveniles as well as those in the community with their families who are at risk of involvement with armed groups and armed forces and those who are at risk. The social worker will also conduct awareness sessions for the community and coordinate with various Iraqi ministries and agencies on rehabilitation program in the facilities and in the community in Baghdad governorate.

 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

 

Project implementation support through:

• Work closely with MOH, MOLSA, MOJ and MOE to follow up the reintegration plan for juveniles released from the detention facilities and work closely with their families to ensure comprehensive support for them.
• Work closely with the case managers and the case workers in order to provide more information and support to the juveniles and their cases.
• Complete monthly reports to be submitted to the project manager, child protection coordinator and Thrive program supervisor.
• Ensure accurate data reporting and collection.
• Supports compilation and writing of daily, monthly and quarterly updates.
• Follow up with Juvenile cases.
• Work closely with the case management team and Legal team (lawyers).
• Other duties, as assigned

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

About You:  A driven and passionate mid-career professional looking to work alongside an inspiring, dynamic team of leading human rights workers. The candidate will have exceptional case management 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 apply that experience working on innovative human rights projects that support some of the most vulnerable people in Iraq.

 

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 Iraq, HAI provides holistic services focusing on mental health and psychosocial support, legal aid, violence prevention, and social cohesion to diverse vulnerable populations.

 

The Project:  Heartland Alliance International (HAI), is implementing a project for its second year, project called Safer Future: Protection and Reintegration of Children Associated with Armed Groups. This project seeks to ensure that children who are associated with armed forces and armed groups (CAAFAG), including those detained/sentenced and those disengaged and at risk of radicalization, benefit from a functional and child-friendly system of justice that protects them and their rights and a comprehensive community-based reintegration program that promotes safe and sustainable reintegration through comprehensive social development and economic strengthening services. Project activities will be implement in the reformatory detention center in Bagdad and communities due to the severity of needs in these two governorates (Baghdad and Ninewa) and the conditions inside detention facilities. The project consists of three interrelated and mutually-reinforcing objectives: (1) Detained adolescents have access to comprehensive protection and mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) services and have their rights protected; (2) Children and adolescents who are released from detention and children in the community who are disengaged or at risk of radicalization have access to and benefit from  community-based reintegration services that are in line with international standards and best practices; (3) strengthening capacity of juvenile justice system in  Baghdad governorates to ensure the safeguarding of juveniles rights and best interests and adoption of child- friendly approaches throughout all stage of the judicial process, including diversion, alternative to detention, and trauma – informed care.      

 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:The social worker will be based in Bagdad governorate, and will be responsible to provide psychosocial support for convicted juveniles’ access in the Observation house for boys and girls, reformatory school for adolescents and reformatory school for juveniles in Baghdad. The social worker will work closely with the lead social worker on implementing Thrive program in Baghdad reformatory schools with the sentenced juveniles as well as those in the community with their families who are at risk of involvement with armed groups and armed forces and those who are at risk. The social worker will also conduct awareness sessions for the community and coordinate with various Iraqi ministries and agencies on rehabilitation program in the facilities and in the community in Baghdad governorate.

 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

 

Project implementation support through:

• Work closely with MOH, MOLSA, MOJ and MOE to follow up the reintegration plan for juveniles released from the detention facilities and work closely with their families to ensure comprehensive support for them.
• Work closely with the case managers and the case workers in order to provide more information and support to the juveniles and their cases.
• Complete monthly reports to be submitted to the project manager, child protection coordinator and Thrive program supervisor.
• Ensure accurate data reporting and collection.
• Supports compilation and writing of daily, monthly and quarterly updates.
• Follow up with Juvenile cases.
• Work closely with the case management team and Legal team (lawyers).
• Other duties, as assigned

Essential

• A bachelor degree in sociology or social work, Psychology or related social science.
• Minimum two years of relevant work experience in field.
• Experience in working in the social sector, particularly with IDPs or refugees, or with programs focused on children and adolescents.
• Of and experience with basic counseling skills and techniques.
• Previous experience or understanding of the human rights, social and political environment in Iraq.
• A strong commitment to human rights and to implementation of international law.
• Ability to travel within the Iraq governorates and different areas in Ninawa governorates.
• Capacity to have immediate intervention for the urgent GBV cases.

 

Languages

• Essential – Fluent in Arabic
• Desirable – Fluent in English (read, write and communicate)

 

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.

To Apply: Please send a cover letter (1 page maximum) explaining your interest and how your experience meets the qualifications required and a CV, to

https://heartlandalliance.bamboohr.com/jobs/view.php?id=493

 indicating the vacancy job title in the subject line. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. If you do not hear back from us within 2 weeks, please consider your application unsuccessful.