Back Social Worker (Bokhtar & Kushoniyon)

Project Context and Scope
IOM mission in Tajikistan is carrying out efforts to support of the Government of Tajikistan in the framework of its Comprehensive Action Plan for Afghanistan and Neighboring Countries (CAP) and the Regional Refugee Response Plan for Afghanistan (RRP). Under the project “Improving migration governance and access to services for displaced Afghans in Pakistan and Central Asia” (the Project), IOM is committed to make efforts to enhance social cohesion and access to services for both Tajik and Afghan communities. 

IOM is supporting migrants and host communities through community- and household-level social cohesion interventions, aiming to reinforcing access to services for all and increase peaceful coexistence between and within communities. IOM wants to support Afghan migrants and Tajik communities to improve livelihoods, with a focus on women and youth skills. IOM aims at doing so both through development opportunities and income generation activities to improve economic opportunities and quality of life for project beneficiaries and community members. 

To support the project's mission of promoting social cohesion, enhancing access to services, and improving livelihoods for both Tajik and Afghan communities. The consultant's role is crucial in empowering communities, supporting vulnerable populations, building capacity, integrating mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) into livelihood initiatives, promoting social initiatives, and ensuring effective coordination, all within the context of the project's overarching goals. Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing
Improving migration governance and access to services for displaced Afghans in Pakistan and Central Asia Tasks to be performed under this contract

• Keep mapping the provision of basic services and protection activities at the micro level and disseminate information on reaching those resources.
• Provide direct assistance to the most vulnerable individuals and families affected, such as women, children, elders, persons with disabilities, survivors of violence, and economically impoverished and socially marginalized persons. 
• Organize, together with the educator, sensitization, information, and problem-solving group sessions on identified social problems encountered by the community. 
• Strengthen existing social networks and promote participatory initiatives to activate protective, restorative, and transformative psychosocial factors at the community level, such as mutual support, intrafamily and interfamily cooperation, public gatherings and dialogue. 
• Map socially supportive structures and resources at the micro level, mobilize them and envisage ways to build their capacity further with the team leader, manager, and supervisor.
• Identify vulnerable cases, ensuring their access to available protection services. 
• Coordinate with the team leader and other team members on including vulnerable cases in community-based activities along the full spectrum of the intervention pyramid.
• In coordination with the team leader, provide technical guidance and supervision to community focal points and volunteers in the concerned communities, ensuring that the programme’s activities are effectively communicated and carried on in participatory and inclusive ways.
• Facilitate MHPSS needs assessments, surveys and research in the concerned communities of the project to enhance access to community-based psychosocial and protection services.
• Organize and coordinate activities of integration of MHPSS and livelihood support, either directly or mainstreaming MHPSS considerations in existing livelihood programming. Performance indicators for the evaluation of results
  • Mapping and Dissemination of Basic Services and Protection Activities:
  • Regularly updated and detailed maps of basic services and protection activities at the micro level.
  • Timely and accurate dissemination of information regarding available resources and services to the community.
  • Direct Assistance to Vulnerable Individuals and Families:
  • A database of vulnerable individuals and families, including women, children, elders, persons with disabilities, survivors of violence, and economically impoverished and socially marginalized persons.
  • Documentation of assistance provided, including needs assessment, distribution of aid, and follow-up support.
  • Sensitization and Problem-Solving Sessions:
  • Successful organization of sensitization, information, and problem-solving group sessions addressing identified social problems.
  • Documentation of session outcomes and community feedback.
  • Strengthening Social Networks and Promoting Initiatives:
  • Evidence of strengthened social networks within the community.
  • Records of participatory initiatives that activate protective, restorative, and transformative psychosocial factors.
  • Mapping and Mobilizing Socially Supportive Structures:
  • A comprehensive map of socially supportive structures and resources at the micro level.
  • Plans for capacity-building activities for these structures.
  • Identifying and Assisting Vulnerable Cases:
  • Regular identification of vulnerable cases and their access to protection services.
  • Documentation of case assessments and support provided.
  • Coordinating Community-Based Activities:
  • Effective coordination with the team leader and team members to integrate vulnerable cases into community-based activities.
  • Reports on the participation and impact of vulnerable cases in these activities.
  • Technical Guidance and Supervision:
  • Evidence of technical guidance and supervision provided to community focal points and volunteers.
  • Records of program activities communicated and carried out in a participatory and inclusive manner.
  • MHPSS Needs Assessments and Research:
  • Conducted MHPSS needs assessments, surveys, and research reports.
  • Enhanced access to community-based psychosocial and protection services based on research findings.
  • Integration of MHPSS and Livelihood Support:
  • Successful organization and coordination of activities integrating MHPSS and livelihood support.
  • Mainstreaming MHPSS considerations into existing livelihood programming. Education
  • Bachelor's degree in social sciences, social work, or a related field. Experience
  • Previous experience in social and protection activities in related areas of intervention is a strong advantage.
  • Demonstrated experience in working with vulnerable populations, such as women, children, elders, persons with disabilities, survivors of violence, and economically impoverished and socially marginalized individuals and families.
  • Experience in coordinating activities with team members and community stakeholders.
  • Knowledge or experience in mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) needs assessments and programming.
  • Experience in mobilizing resources and building capacity at the community level. Skills
  • Ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with individuals and communities of culturally diverse backgrounds.
  • Sensitivity to cultural differences and a non-discriminatory approach to service delivery.
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills to engage with a wide range of people within the community.
  • Ability to facilitate group sessions, discussions, and problem-solving activities.
  • Proficiency in data collection, mapping, and research techniques to support the mapping of services and resources at the micro level.
  • Competence in identifying and assessing vulnerable cases and providing appropriate assistance and referrals.
  • Strong organizational skills to manage case records and follow-up.
  • Ability to provide technical guidance and supervision to community focal points and volunteers.
  • Capacity to integrate MHPSS considerations into broader community-based initiatives.
  • Ability to advocate for the rights and needs of vulnerable individuals and families.
  • Strong writing skills for documenting activities, assessments, and reports.
  • Proficiency in using data for evidence-based decision-making.
  • Ability to work in challenging and dynamic environments, including potentially stressful or crisis situations.
  • Adaptability to changing project priorities and community needs.
  • In collaboration with MHPSS team members implementation referral work for beneficiaries to existing services.
  • Working on service mapping and its updating. Languages
  • Fluency in Tajik and Russian. Proficiency in relevant languages spoken by the community or beneficiaries is an asset. IOM’s official languages are English, French and Spanish. Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.   Travel required
  • Travel is not required. Required Competencies   IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link. Competencies will be assessed during the selection process.   Values - all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these three values:
  • Inclusion and respect for diversity: Respects and promotes individual and cultural differences. Encourages diversity and inclusion.
• Integrity and transparency: Maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.