Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)A (least hardship)
Family Type (not applicable for home-based)
Family
Staff Member / Affiliate TypeCONTR Local Entry and Mid-Level Support
Target Start Date2024-02-13
Job Posting End DateJanuary 25, 2024
Terms of ReferenceCandidates must comply with all eligibility requirements for employment in line with the prevailing legislative prerequisites in the country.
Persons interested in applying for this position must be legally present in Trinidad and Tobago at the time of recruitment.
Recruitment as a UNHCR staff member and engagement under a UNHCR affiliate scheme or as an intern is subject to proof of vaccination against Covid-19.
Levels of language knowledge:
A1-beginner
A2-elementary
B1-lower intermediate
B2-upper intermediate
C1-advanced/proficient
C2-fluent
The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities.
TERMS OF REFERENCE
Reports to: Foster Care Team Lead and Investigation and Intervention Unit Manager
Indirect Report: Deputy Director-Care Services
Duration: Until 31 December 2024 (subject to 3-month probationary period and possibility of extension depending on availability of funds)
Location: Children’s Authority of Trinidad and Tobago, Cor. Dere St and Queen’s Park Savannah, Port of Spain
BACKGROUND
Non-national children, including those who are forcibly displaced and stateless, can face a myriad of negative impacts, including increased anxiety due to being uprooted, isolation from family and friends, exposure to unsafe practices, domestic violence and xenophobia. Over the past 2 years, Trinidad and Tobago has been recipient of one of the largest Venezuelan migrant population per capita in the region. National child protection systems are overwhelmed, under-resourced, have limited capacity to identify and respond to the rising protection needs of non-national children, including those trafficked, unaccompanied and separated and requiring alternative care arrangements. Such children are at risk of gender-based violence (GBV), sexual exploitation, trafficking, abuse and separation from their families. Many of these cases are referred to the Children’s Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (CATT) for intervention as it is a specialized agency with the responsibility to provide care and protection to children in Trinidad and Tobago, especially those who are at risk or have been victims of abuse or neglect.
As such, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is working closely with the CATT and national partners with the aim of providing protection and assistance to any vulnerable non-national child in need of care and protection as defined by section 22 of the Children’s Authority Act., including seeking to establish family and community-based alternative care arrangements for unaccompanied, separated and trafficked minors.
PURPOSE
Support interventions to address the interim, medium- and long-term care needs of unaccompanied, separated migrant children. The Case Manager - Non-national children will be responsible for implementing the Comprehensive Case Management of non-national children coming to the attention of the CATT, ensuring that quality programming, strong networks and capacities are built to provide care and protection to unaccompanied, separated and trafficked children.
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS
• Manage, promote, implement and monitor the programme for recruitment, mobilization, support and supervision of caregivers (including Foster Carers) for migrants and care supporters, and the establishment of community-based child protection committees to support alternative care.
• Provide case management services to non-national children found to be in need of care and protection and received into care.
• Ensure that interventions are informed by and integrated with other core sectors of education, health, nutrition, food security and livelihoods.
• Facilitate coordination among CATT, child protection and/or national security actors who have a role in the provision and or supervision of alternative care arrangements.
• Initiate and/or carry out capacity-building of key national staff and local stakeholders in specific care, case management and child protection competencies including appropriate approaches, where needed.
• Initiate and/or carry out capacity-building for caregivers and community stakeholders in specific care and child protection standards and approaches.
• Establish and/or strengthen processes and mechanisms at community levels which support identification, monitoring and response to the care and protection concerns of non-national children found to be in need of care and protection children.
• Closely coordinate with key stakeholders to ensure that the primary focus of children in alternative care remains on family tracing and reunification or other durable solutions.
• Assist with ongoing assessments of care providers and vetting of interim care provisions based on global and national standards, principles and practice.
• Ensure adequate monitoring and follow up for children in residential facilities. Advocate for and plan programme for their transition into family or community-based care options as an alternative option.
• Suggest and support advocacy interventions to address any risks or violations of the children’s protection rights for those children in and in need of interim care.
• Maintain a database containing demographic information and case files on non-national children receiving care and regularly follow-up with children, caregivers and care supporters in alternative care and facilitate quarterly briefing sessions, focus groups and training.
• Receive training on Best Interest Determination (BID), prepare reports and participate in BID panel.
• Create monthly reports on the number of unaccompanied, separated and trafficked children benefitting from intervention of the CATT and identifying gaps, challenges, lessons learned, good practices and recommendations.
• Provide monthly reports to CATT line supervisor/designated person at UNHCR.
• Assist in the translation of reports (Spanish to English and English to Spanish) as required for the assessment of children.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES
• Advanced university degree in Social Work, Child Psychology, or another relevant field.
• A minimum of 3 years of experience within international organizations, NGO and/or government environment in Child Protection and/or Social work, with demonstrated experiences in case management practice and systems strengthening, information management systems, and child protection programming related to interim or alternative care for non-national children.
• Ability to establish excellent working relations and partnerships with governments, UN agencies and NGOs and demonstrated experiences in child protection/case management coordination mechanisms at national levels.
• Proven experience in developing training modules and case management (child protection, trafficking, family tracing and reunification), supervision, coaching, mentoring and capacity building.
• Knowledge of key international standards and guidelines related to care for children.
• Experience working in emergency or migration context is highly desirable.
• Good team leader and team member skills. The ability to be part of and organise, support, manage, develop and motivate a small team.
• Excellent writing, communication and presentation skills; ability to communicate, maintain appropriate and productive relations with a range of actors, including children, parents, local authorities and civil society organisations.
• Fluency in English (verbal and written) is mandatory for this position and Spanish is highly desirable.
HOW TO APPLY
Only online applications will be accepted, and only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. Kindly note that you may be required to sit a written test.
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SkillsCase Management, Child Protection
EducationBachelor of Science (BS): Psychology, Bachelor of Science (BS): Social Work
Certifications
Work ExperienceChild Protection
Other informationThis position doesn't require a functional clearance