JOB DESCRIPTION

Position Title: Case Worker

Location: Herat

Grade: NAT 6

 

CHILD SAFEGUARDING:
Level 3:  the post holder will have contact with children and/or young people either frequently (e.g. once a week or more) or intensively (e.g. four days in one month or more or overnight) because they work country programs; or are visiting the country programs; or because they are responsible for implementing the police checking/vetting process staff.

ROLE PURPOSE:
Under the direction of the CP Officer – CM/MHPSS, the case worker will lead and execute comprehensive family assessments, formulate, and implement effective reunification plans for separated families among returnees, and provide essential support and community engagement. The Case Worker-Family Tracing and Reunification (FTR) aims to ensure a safe and child-centred approach, promoting the overall well-being of reunified families in the context of returnee responses under Child Protection. In the event of a major humanitarian emergency, the role holder will be expected to work outside the normal role profile and be able to vary working hours accordingly.

SCOPE OF ROLE:

Reports to: CP Officer – CM/MHPSS
Staff reporting to this post: No

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:
• Conduct Case Management through the 6 steps with thorough assessments of returnee families to understand their unique needs, dynamics, and potential challenges.
• Undertake and meet all case management responsibilities in relation to individual children, including those with Family Tracing and Reunification including drafting of case plans within two weeks of identification, as directed by the line manager. Managing child protection cases considering all case management principles and requirements, the best interests of the child and the Do No Harm principle.
• Ensure reunification plans are developed and implemented for separated families, in a safe and supportive protective environment for reunified members.
• Facilitate communication and coordination between family members, supporting open dialogue and understanding.
• Implement child-centric approaches in reunification processes, considering the best interests and well-being of the children involved.
• Engage with the local community to build support networks for returnee families and promote community acceptance of reunification efforts.
• Provide psychoeducation to families on issues related to family dynamics, coping mechanisms, and strategies for successful reunification.
• Maintain accurate and confidential records of reunification cases, ensuring compliance with data protection and confidentiality standards.
• Collaborate with Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) teams to address the emotional and psychological needs of families throughout the reunification process.
• Build the capacity of volunteers -Community-based Social Workers and community members in recognizing and supporting family reunification efforts.
• Demonstrate cultural sensitivity in all reunification efforts, respecting diverse backgrounds and customs.
• Prepare regular reports on the progress of family reunification cases, highlighting achievements and challenges, for internal and external stakeholders.
• Establish a good working relationship with authorities in communities and maintain regular, effective, and meaningful contact with children and families,
• Facilitating case management processes/referrals ensuring confidentiality and obtaining informed consent/assent forms.
• Safe storage of all case management forms, ensuring confidentiality and sharing information with approved individuals on a need-to-know basis.
• In coordination with children, families, teachers, and community-based child protection groups, facilitate regular case planning and review of case plans for all cases.
• Continually update case notes to keep track of the case details and support assessments and revisions of case plans as client needs change.
• Mapping and regular updates of the existing services and awareness raising on existing services among targeted communities.
• Ensure that case plans are regularly reviewed and facilitate the attendance of all key stakeholders at relevant meetings including case conferences and reviews.
• Regular visits and monitoring of activities in CFSs, provision of technical support to CFS facilitators.
• Capacity building of local child protection structures for safe identification and referrals of child protection cases.
• Providing capacity-building sessions for communities on (NEVA) Neglect, Exploitation, Violence, and Abuse
• Being responsible for supporting the community in understanding the problems faced by certain categories of children, by supporting child engagement and finding constructive solutions with input from children, parents/caregivers and community-based child protection groups.
• Supporting assisted individuals in their social and cultural integration, restoration of relations with the family and community, reducing social dependency, and contributing to the understanding of their rights and obligations.
• Supporting children and families on the move with messaging promoting maintaining family unity and other child protection information.
• Working and cooperating with agencies that have policies and work principles corresponding to adequate professional standards provided in this Code.
• Support access to legal support and services for cases and their families as needed and where possible.
• Report any child safeguarding concerns related to Save the Children Child Safeguarding focal point considering the SCI – Child Safeguarding Policy
• To assist the CP Officer, referring to other services in case of specific needs
• Any other tasks directed by the supervisor.

BEHAVIOURS (Values in Practice)

Accountability:
• holds self-accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values
• holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities – giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved.

Ambition:
• sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves and their team, take responsibility for their own personal development, and encourages their team to do the same
• widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others.
• Future-orientated, thinks strategically and on a global scale.

Collaboration:
• Build and maintain effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, Members and external partners, and supporters.
• values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength.
• approachable, good listener, easy to talk to.

Creativity:
• Develop and encourage new and innovative solutions.
• willing to take disciplined risks.

Integrity:
• honest, encourages openness and transparency; demonstrates highest levels of integrity.

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS:
• Bachelor’s degree in social work, Psychology, Education, Law, or other relevant social sciences.
• At least 1–2 years of experience in child protection case management.
• Experience working with vulnerable children, families, and communities, particularly in humanitarian or emergency settings.
• Having knowledge of CPIMS+
• Understanding of Child Protection Minimum Standards (CPMS), safeguarding, best interests of the child, and Do-No-Harm principles.
• Familiarity with case management steps including identification, assessment, case planning, implementation, follow-up, and safe closure.
• Knowledge of local child protection systems, referral pathways, and community structures.
• Basic computer skills (Word, Excel, Kobo, databases).
• Fluency in Dari/Pashto and good communication skills in English (preferred).

Abilities & Skills
• Strong communication and active listening skills with the ability to build trust with children and caregivers.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, work ethically, and respect child safeguarding policies.
• Skilled in conducting interviews, assessments, and home visits in a sensitive and child-friendly manner.
• Ability to handle stressful environments, manage workloads, and respond quickly in emergencies.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills with a child-centered approach.
• Ability to work effectively with community leaders, caregivers, government departments, and other NGOs.
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to provide awareness sessions for communities on child protection, PSS, and referral pathways.
• Capacity to identify and refer to high-risk protection cases, including children at risk of violence, abuse, neglect, or exploitation.
• Ability to maintain accurate documentation, case files, and timely reporting.

Additional job responsibilities
The duties and responsibilities set out above are not exhaustive and the post holder may be required to carry out additional duties from time to time which are reasonable in relation to their level of skills and experience.

In the event of a significant humanitarian emergency, the post-holder will be expected to work outside their normal job description; vary their working hours; and occasionally work from a different location should the need arise.

Equal Opportunities:
The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with the SCI Equal Opportunities and Diversity policies and procedures.
Child Safeguarding:
We need to keep children safe so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.
Safeguarding our Staff:
The post holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with the SCI anti-harassment policy.
Health and Safety:
The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with SCI Health and Safety policies and procedures.