Case Management Team Leader

Introduction

The Danish Refugee Council assists refugees and internally displaced persons across the globe: we provide emergency aid, fight for their rights, and strengthen their opportunity for a brighter future. We work in conflict-affected areas, along the displacement routes, and in the countries where refugees settle. In cooperation with local communities, we strive for responsible and sustainable solutions. We work toward successful integration and – whenever possible – for the fulfillment of the wish to return home.

The Danish Refugee Council was founded in Denmark in 1956 and has since grown to become an international humanitarian organization with more than 7,000 staff and 8,000 volunteers. Based in Copenhagen (Denmark) and present in forty countries, the Danish Refugee Council is a non-profitmaking, politically independent, non-governmental and non-denominational relief organization.

Our vision is a dignified life for all displaced. All our efforts are based on our value compass: humanity, respect, independence and neutrality, participation, and honesty and transparency.

Background

Danish Refugee Council (DRC), and its safety unit, has had an operational presence in Nigeria since 2015. DRC Nigeria is the largest DRC country mission in the West Africa region and one of the largest DRC country missions globally. Currently, DRC delivers life-saving assistance and protection to vulnerable, conflict-affected populations including internally displaced persons, returnees, and host communities in the areas of armed violence reduction, humanitarian mine action, livelihoods, nutrition and food security, protection, shelter and non-food items (NFI) and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in 30+ Local Government Areas (LGAs) across Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states in northeast Nigeria.

Purpose/objective of the position:

The team leader for case management (national staff) will be based in DRC Maiduguri office and  will manage and lead a team of case management professionals and is accountable for organizing, planning, monitoring, and overseeing the case management team of DRC in Konguda.

Responsibilities:

Piloting of case management with DRC

• The case management PM will contribute to provide inputs to Protection Coordinator on the overall updating and applying strategic vision on case management, data protection, confidentiality, accountability to affected populations aspects
• The case management PM will guide her/his teams on particular steps related to case management, safe referrals and is responsible to ensure that protection interventions follow case management steps and meet relevant quality standards and are adapted to the context. The person will also step in more regularly for supervision and coaching on individual sessions to give further advise especially on lay counselling and other individual session.
• He/she will suport the overall strategic visions of DRC on case management and will participate in key coordination meetings related to case management WG, etc and liaise with other GBV and CP case management actors to ensure safe and quick referrals analysing the area needs. Because DRC is initiating GP case management which is a complex issue, a manager level was required to dedicate the necessary amount of time to supervision and put proper procedures in place.
• The CM Team leader will include overall coordination between DRC case management units, between all partners involved in the BHA project on case management and oversight on case management development within DRC.
• The Case Management Manager will ensure to update work plans for case management units in Konduga and provision of advises/coaching/visits to local partners facilities in Monguno/Mafa/Nganzai
• The Case Management Team leader provides day-to-day management of the Protection Case Management Unit, including supervision of case management teams under the BHA project and may contribute to technical inputs to local partners involved in GBV case management.

Generic Duties:

Supervision of staff:

• The Case Management Team leader is responsible for the technical supervision and coordination of all case management related activities under the supervision of the Area Manager and technical supervision of the Protection Coordinator. S/he will ensure that training and capacity building needs of field protection staff are timely addressed with the Case Management Specialist and that case management services and activities meet quality standards in the sector.
•  Provide support to case management staff, ensuring quality in the implementation of activities and services as well as the adherence to protection standards on case management
• Support the field teams with the development of technically sound (monthly & weekly) work plans, consistent with the goals and objectives of the project;
• Maintain regular and positive collaboration with colleagues to enhance synergies and ensure that intervention between the different project components is harmonized especially with the MHPSS team but also with Protection Monitoring team  
• Participate in the recruitment of project staff, provide objective feedback with regards to staff performance (evaluate performance and deliverables against job descriptions), expectations and areas for growth and professional development.
• Identify capacity building needs of protection staff assessing their knowledge and skills and accordingly provide learning opportunities through training, workshops and/or simulation exercises; ensure continuous on the job coaching and mentoring; 
• Give advice and feedbacks to the Case Management Specialist  in developing and/or updating protection tools and training material in order to meet the project’s requirements and ensure validation/consultation with Protection Coordinator to ensure it is technically sound
• Contribute to the development of quality internal/external reports on case management, providing relevant protection data, insight and analysis and give inputs to Protection Coordinator for expansion of case management
• Ensure that DRC data protection, PSEA and CP policies are shared, understood and upheld by all staff in compliance with the highest standards of privacy and confidentiality.
• Establish and maintain collaborative relations with relevant partners and other project stakeholders working in the project areas on case management;
• Contribute to the maintenance of an up-to-date service mapping of the service providers operating in the area and take proactive steps to remain informed about the available services especially specialized services
• Proactively participate in relevant coordination meetings at LGA level covered (Konduga for DRC, Mafa/Monguno/Nganzai for other partners) as requested by the Protection Coordinator and Area Manager.
• Other duties as assigned by the Protection Coordinator/Area Manager.
• Manage a pool of 2 case management assistants (in Konduga) and 1 case management officers (1 in Konduga)+1 case management specialist and supervise all activities related to individual case management (PSWN/general protection) in the area of intervention in accordance with case management steps, related tools and procedures and manage 1 case management specialist.
• Ensure that all high-risk cases are promptly identified, directly assisted or referred to the right service provider.
• Regularly verify the status of the case management database, conduct case reviews and provide feedback to Case managements officers and assistants. 
• Organize regular and ad hoc case management meetings with Case management team, to discuss complex cases and general challenges in their tasks including with CBI/GISCOR on GBV case management to ensure regular exchange in the consortium as a supportive case management taskforce.
• Participate in case conference meetings for high-risk cases and/or complex cases when needed.
• Conduct regular case audits, to ensure that cases meet and maintain compliance with established SOPs and minimum standards in case management.
• Ensure proper storage of sensitive data through a correct use of internal databases and case monitoring tools;
• Plan and facilitate the induction process for all newly recruited case assistants and officers on protection principles, the case management process, the relevant SOPs and the data filing and storing procedures (and other relevant topics) and using the DRC onboarding trainings to manage their plans
• Contribute to the drafting of yearly/monthly financial plan for the relevant budget lines. Ensure monthly follow up on progress of budget expenditures against financial plan and preparation of weekly liquidity plan related to case management;
• In collaboration with the other Borno Team leader, PSS team leaders, Protection Monitoring TL and Protection Coordinator, work closely with other organizations to ensure a smooth referral pathway;
• Receive external and internal referrals in line with set criteria and allocate them among case assistants and officers; ensure that referring agencies receive timely feedback on actions taken, when necessary and appropriate in light of confidentiality requirements;
• Provide training on ‘Protection concerns forms/‘Inter-Agency Referral Form SOPs’ to other agencies working in the area depending on the need. 
• Give regular feedbacks to protection coordinator on the pilot on GP Case Management and on local partners ‘development of GBV case management. 

Experience and technical competencies:

• At least 3-5 years proven and successful track record in protection especially dealing with individual cases and human rights

You should also have:

• Proven experience in case management in an emergency context/resilience context, community development and/or other forms of protection programming;
• A technical background in one of DRC Nigeria’s key strategic areas (PSS, Case Management) is an advantage, experience working in GBV prevention is preferred.
• Experience with team management and technical support and direct link with beneficiaries
• Experience with project cycle management and project management tools such as logical frameworks, work plans, and monitoring plans
• A Master/BA Degree in social work, social policy, mental health and psychosocial support etc.
• Experience with GBV IMS/CP IMS and other case management platforms

Ideally, you also have

• High integrity and willingness to conduct her/himself transparently and open to scrutiny
• Good leadership skills
• Strong technical knowledge in protection 
• High confidentiality, respect and a non-discriminatory attitude
• Good interpersonal and communication skills
• Strong analytical and report writing skills
• Strong planning and organizational skills
• Ability to work under pressure and as part of a team
• Experience developing and conducting trainings is a plus
• Fluency in Hausa and other languages spoken in Borno/Adamawa/North West of Nigeria (written and spoken)
• Proficiency in English (written and spoken)
• Previous experience working in Northeast Nigeria especially Borno
• Ability to communicate technical information in an easy to understand, informative and collaborative manner
• Good knowledge of the new updated standards on case management 

Education: (include certificates, licenses etc.)

• Master degree in one of the following: International development, social sciences, social work, international relations, human rights.

Languages: (indicate fluency level)

• English  (fluent)
• Hausa or other languages spoken in Northern Nigeria (asset)

General Regulations

• The employee shall follow DRC instructions on safety, confidentiality, and ethical guidelines, including the Code of Conduct and the Humanitarian Accountability Framework.
• Employee should not engage in any other paid activity during the DRC contract period without prior authorization.
• Employee should not engage in any activity that could harm DRC or the implementation of any project during the DRC contract period.
• Employee should not give interviews to the media or publish project-related photos or other material without prior authorization.
• Employee shall return all borrowed equipment for the project to DRC after the end of the contract period or upon request.

Application Process

Are you interested? Then apply for this position online: www.drc.dk/about-drc/vacancies/current-vacancies. All applicants must send a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages). Both must be in English.

DRC provides equal opportunity in employment and prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability.

DRC encourages all applicants to apply and does not practice any discrimination in any recruitment process.

However, all applicants shall take into consideration that DRC cannot offer an international work contract to a citizen of the country of assignment (in this specific case, Nigeria)

Application closes on the 25th of November 2024. Applications submitted after this date will not be considered.