Protection Officer-GBV Caseworker

The Protection Officer – GBV Caseworker leads field-level implementation of the Protection component in Ceel Buur, focusing on confidential, survivor-centered GBV case management and supporting Protection Monitoring, referral systems, community-based Protection, safety audits and Protection mainstreaming. The role involves technical guidance, coordination with service providers, and ensuring quality case management under supervision.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct, confidential and survivor-centered GBV case management in line with DRC SOPs and inter-agency standards, including intake/assessment, informed consent, safety planning, case action planning, referrals, follow-up and case closure.
• Independently manage complex/high-risk GBV cases under regular technical supervision, provide first-line emotional support/PFA, and facilitate timely access to health/CMR, MHPSS/PSS, legal and other specialized services.
• Maintain appropriate caseload prioritization, intake cut-off and closure/step-down planning; promptly escalate urgent ethical, safety or service-access concerns to the Country GBV Coordinator.
• Support safe identification and referral for non-GBV Protection concerns, including Child Protection concerns, without undertaking specialized case management unless trained and authorized.
• Participate in confidential case review and case-file audits with the Country GBV Coordinator and implement agreed quality-improvement actions.
• Assess Protection barriers requiring Individual Protection Assistance (IPA), prepare case-based requests/documentation, and support delivery and follow-up.
• Lead field-level maintenance of verified GBV and multi-sector referral pathways and support implementation of the Referral Management System (RMS).
• Provide practical guidance to General Protection Assistant, outreach workers and Community Protection Focal Points on safe identification, first-line support and referral boundaries.
• Lead/coordinate field-level Protection Monitoring in assigned locations, ensuring safe data collection and use of anonymized findings for programme adaptation.
• Conduct/support safety and accessibility audits, inclusive consultations, Mobile Protection Desks and GBV/CP risk-mitigation activities at DRC WASH and partner service points.
• Support community-based Protection mechanisms and provide field-level Protection mainstreaming support to DRC WASH and SHF partners.
• Maintain complete, accurate and secure GBV case files using DRC-approved case-management systems applying confidentiality and data protection standards.
• Coordinate with Protection Team Leader, Galkayo Protection Officer and country technical team to inform broader implementation and coordination.
• Coordinate with local authorities, humanitarian partners, community leaders and service providers and represent DRC in relevant coordination forums.
• Contribute to workplans, 5Ws/PITAR and donor/technical reporting using aggregated, non-identifying information.
• Support training/orientation of frontline staff and partners on safe disclosure, informed consent, confidentiality, data protection, RMS/referral pathways and Protection mainstreaming.

Requirements

• Minimum 3 years of relevant Protection experience, including at least 2 years of recent hands-on GBV case management in humanitarian, displacement or conflict-affected settings.
• Demonstrated ability to independently and safely manage the full GBV case-management cycle, including informed consent, risk/safety assessment, case planning, referrals, follow-up and closure.
• Strong technical understanding of GBV guiding principles, survivor-centred practice, CMR and MHPSS referral pathways, confidentiality, data protection, safeguarding and safe disclosure handling.
• Demonstrated experience in broader Protection programming, preferably including Protection Monitoring, referral systems, safety audits, community-based Protection and/or Protection mainstreaming in integrated humanitarian responses.
• Experience with case review/case-file quality assurance, IPA or case-linked Protection assistance, referral mapping, coordination with specialized service providers/humanitarian actors, and coaching frontline staff on safe identification/referral is strongly preferred.
• Strong documentation, analysis, judgment, communication and problem-solving skills; ability to work with significant autonomy in hard-to-reach locations.
• Familiarity with GBVIMS/Activity Info or another secure case-management system is an asset.

Skills

• GBV Case Management
• Protection Programming
• Risk and Safety Assessment
• Informed Consent Practices
• Referral Systems Support
• Protection Monitoring
• Community-Based Protection
• Protection Mainstreaming
• Case Review and Quality Assurance
• Protection Assistance
• Referral Mapping
• Coordination with Service Providers
• Coaching Frontline Staff
• Data Protection and Confidentiality
• Survivor-Centred Practice
• CMR Referral Pathways
• MHPSS Referral Pathways
• Safe Disclosure Handling
• GBVIMS
• ActivityInfo

Languages

English