Afghanistan: Gender-Based Violence Program Manager

Sep 16, 2019 | International Medical Corps
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International Medical Corps is currently implementing approximately 6 programs across eight provinces (Kabul, Nangarhar, Laghman, Kunar, Nuristan, Jawzjan, Balkh and Samangan) in Afghanistan that include provision of medical, psychosocial support and referral services for survivors of GBV through Family Protection Centers, Health Facilities and Community-based Support mechanisms, including training Health Workers, Community Volunteers and local stakeholders in GBV concepts and referral.

GBV Program in Afghanistan: International Medical Corps works to discourage the attitudes and behaviors that contribute to incidents of GBV in Afghanistan. We also use targeted social and behavior change activities to reduce the stigma of survivors. The current IMC Health Sector Response to GBV program serves four provinces--Kabul, Balkh, Samangan, and Jawzjan IMC works in close coordination with the Gender Directorate of the MoPH to implement an UNFPA-funded integrated health and women’s protection program focused on strengthening the capacity of the local health system in four targeted provinces to effectively respond to the needs of GBV survivors. Project activities provide comprehensive GBV case management services including the coordination of medical care, psychosocial support and counseling, legal, and referral services. Capacity building efforts aim to increase knowledge and skills of health professionals, social workers, and key actors related to GBV-specific information management, psychosocial support interventions, as well as establishing standard operating procedures and effective referral pathways for the health sector.

Established mobile GBV Prevention and Response services:

IMC established mobile teams that consist of 2 Psychosocial Counselors (one male; one female), a midwife and two community mobilizers (one male and one female). Establishing mobile teams makes it possible to reach remote areas where returnees and IDPs are scattered. The teams engage in prevention and response work in the communities, doing awareness raising and providing mobile psychosocial support (PSS) services to women and girls. This will not only maximize the services’ outreach but would also contribute in demand creation for GBV and psychosocial support services.

In total, 6 mobile teams established in Eastern Provinces (Nangarhar, Kunar, Laghman) Each mobile team works in a community based WGFS provided by the community. As per the traditional practice in rural areas, a volunteer’s (e.g. community elder’s) house are used for group activities such as awareness sessions and activities. See more on this under PSS sub-sector.

Conduct awareness sessions:

The two community mobilizers (one man and a woman) are responsible to increase knowledge of GBV services through raising awareness within the communities about GBV issues and available services, provide referral to services, organize community dialogues and conduct GBV awareness campaigns. In order to build relationship with the community and avoid stigmatization, the community mobilizers provide sessions on general information such as awareness on GBV, access to health services, basic health/hygiene awareness, child rearing, sexual and reproductive health, psychosocial counselling, awareness on rights of IDPs/returnees, human rights, and women rights in the light of Islam.

In line with the GBV Sub-cluster recommendation, a community midwife or female nurse are included in the mobile team, who provide awareness on life saving basic messages and health education to all women and girls including those who are pregnant, married or have other questions about sexual and reproductive health.

Organize community dialogues:

IMC engages with influential groups in the communities including community elders, Principle of schools, religious leaders, local authorities, DoWA, Women health workers, health facilities head and female staff, and official from Ministry of Hajj and Religious Affairs, through the field project officer and community mobilizers to organize community dialogues. The community dialogues are organized one per quarter per district with 30 participants (separate sessions for male and female) in each dialogue.

Conduct public awareness campaigns during international celebration days:

IMC will organize awareness campaigns during the 16 Days of Activism against GBV campaign and celebration of International Women’s Day. IMC’s goal is to reach maximum number of people in the targeted settlements with GBV awareness messages and IEC materials. These campaigns will be conducted in each of the targeted districts with maximum participants in each.

Establish and support a network of Community Focal Points:

IMC identified local men and women in each village (one male and one female per village/location) who are willing to volunteer to act as focal points for referrals for PSS.

Provide GBV case management:

Case management is a key component of response to GBV. IMC’s mobile teams provide non-medical case management to GBV survivors by following basic steps of IASC GBV case management guidelines for GBV.

Referral

As a part of ensuring safe referrals, the team closely work with the related Family Protection Centers (FPCs) in each province and BPHS/EPHS health facilities to identify focal points that will be arranging the referrals. IMC has close coordination with other key actors working on GBV for smooth referral of cases. Since local/government health facilities (BPHS/EPHS facilities) are one of the best ways that GBV survivors among returnees and IDPs can easily access GBV services with more anonymity and safety, IMC’s mobile GBV/PSSC teams will have scheduled visits to each health facility with assigned days already shared with Health Facility staff and communities. This will help the GBV survivors and Community Focal Points to meet Health Facility staff and IMC mobile GBV/PSSC team at the same time and discuss both GBV case management (clinical case management, psychosocial support and referral, etc.), follow up on referred cases and take necessary action.

The primary function of the Protection (GBV) Program Manager is to provide technical and managerial guidance for successful implementation of GBV prevention and response activities of International Medical Corps, funded by a variety of donors. The GBV program has been growing in the past year, and expanded specifically the grass-root based approach. Currently IMC Afghanistan have two main approaches to GBV. One is through family protection centers at hospitals where medical, legal and counselling can be accessed. The other approach is through mobile units, visiting villages and towns in northern and eastern regions. In the grassroots approach, IMC provides counselling to survivors, and vulnerable groups, and run women friendly spaces providing women a space to socialize and access information. The work in the communities are supported by focal points allowing for continuous awareness raising and liaising survivors with services

Main Responsibilities

Program Planning:

1. Work closely with GBV site Managers, Program Director, Program Coordinator and senior management team (DCD and CD) when necessary, to ensure achievement of GBV program goals

2. Provide strategic direction and undertake analysis of GBV trend, gaps in services and IMC capacities to better addresses in the assigned field location

3. Contribute to program design and oversee the preparation of concept notes and proposals

4. Contribute to ongoing programmatic assessment, evaluation and ensure continues improvement within GBV program.

b). Program Implementation and Capacity Development

1. Lead the program start-up processes and discussions with, government authorities and other key stakeholders

2. Provide technical support to strengthen and standardize programing as per global standards , including psychosocial support activities and case management systems, outreach and prevention strategies, and awareness-raising efforts

3. Organize and lead GBV technical trainings as needed for national staff

4. Provide guidance on information-sharing and data management systems

5. Support the compilation of reports and assessments with accurate data

6. Raise and track procurement requests and plan the delivery and distribution of items Prepare donor reports

c). Coordination:

1. Participate and contribute to the GBV working group , GBV Sub Cluster and protection Cluster working group

2. Do advocacy for gaps and needs identified

3. Coordinate with national and international NGOs, UN agencies and other stakeholders to ensure holistic support for survivors, including participation in strengthening GBV SOPs and referral pathways

4. Advocate for adherence to SOPs and on behalf of program teams as needed

5. Ensure maximum visibility of IMC amongst the UN and NGO community

6. Interact with donors and other stakeholders as needed for program success and development.

d). Financial Management

• As budget holder stay on top of the budgets and spending

• Develop financial pipelines in line with program implementation plans

• Ensure planned program activities are in line with the budget and executed in a timely manner

• Work with Logistics to procure program supplies within program budgets

• Adhere to IMC and donor requirements and flag any funding challenges.

e). Human Resource Management

• Manage GBV team

• Manage GBV team

• Assist in recruitment and support of qualified program staff as needed

• Promote support strategies for staff, including principles of self-care

• Fill in for site managers as needed during any periods of extended absence, including support and supervision of program teams

• Help develop national staff to take more responsibiloity.

f). Security:

• Comply with security protocols and policies

• Consider security implications of all program activities, carefully reviewing new initiatives with program teams

• Maintain flexibility to take on added responsibility as and when needed

Code of Conduct:

It is our shared responsibility and obligation to prevent matters involving Sexual Exploitation & Abuse, Trafficking in Persons, Child Safeguarding and any suggested violation to our Code of Conduct, which may involve Conflicts of Interest, Fraud, Corruption or Harassment. If you see, hear or are made aware of any suggested activities then you have an obligation to report.

Safeguarding and Equal Opportunities

“The tasks listed are representative of the nature and level of work assigned and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

It is our shared responsibility and obligation to prevent matters involving Sexual Exploitation & Abuse, Trafficking in Persons, Child Safeguarding and any suggested violation to our Code of Conduct, which may involve Conflicts of Interest, Fraud, Corruption or Harassment. If you see, hear or are made aware of any suggested activities then you have an obligation to report.

International Medical Corps (if applicable you can specify UK) is proud to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, age, disability or status as a veteran”.