RECRUITMENT NOTICE

Position: Case Worker

Reports to: Case Management Coordinator

Place of work: Kumbo, North West Region

Expected Start Date: Immediately

Duration of Contract : 9 Months (with possibility of extension)

Publication Date: 21^st December 2023

About IDF

The Integrated Development Foundation (IDF Bamenda) a non-governmental organization created on the 12^th of February 1994 with head office at Mile 3 Nkwen. Her main objective is to contribute to implement the conditions that can allow marginalized and vulnerable people to regain their dignity and improve their living conditions.

 IDF as Civil Society organization is an implementing partner of the 26 local Sub Recipient– Implementing Partners (SR-IPs) of the CoSMO Project in at least 68 health districts across all 10 regions of Cameroon.

She is seeking the services of a qualified , experienced and highly motivated Case Worker. The position will be based in Kumbo, North West Region of Cameroon.

Summary of the CoSMO Project

Funded by the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon (NECC) as principal recipient and project author of the 5 years Consolidating Systems and Services for the Management of Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Cameroon (CoSMO) Project .

The OVC program addresses the challenges of sustainable care and support to OVC by strengthening the capacities of the Government of the Republic of Cameroon (GRC), civil society, communities, and households to provide quality care and support to HIV-infected and affected children in Cameroon. Under the leadership of NECC, sub-recipients' partners, the Government of Cameroon and other stakeholders will work collaboratively to reach about 65,000 OVC and their families in health districts across the country where the HIV burden is high. The program consists of HIV prevention and case finding activities for OVC as well as ensuring community support for linkage to care and retention among children and adolescents living with HIV with the goal of contributing to HIV epidemic control by attaining and sustaining the 95-95-95 targets of UNAIDS.

Job Summary:

Under the supervision of the Case Management Coordinator, the Case Worker constitutes an important element in the case management process. S/he is responsible for establishing good relationship with the project participants and through effective communication ensure that all the steps of case management are implemented.

The Case Worker will serve IDF in the CoSMO project working closely with other actors to ensure that services which are provided by different actors are monitored. These include Field Agents/PSP, Peer educators, Youth Mentors, Health facility staff, Social Centers and services staff, etc.

Specific Responsibilities:

The Case Worker builds on a good relationship with Health facilities and caregivers to identify/monitor children and adolescents living with HIV (CLHIV) currently receiving ART, HIV-positive Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women (PBFW), and HIV Exposed Infants (HEI) in HIV treatment facilities to achieve the following:

·         Provide services (based on the family-centered case management) to project participants;

·         Enroll into the project new CLHIV, HIV-positive PBFW/teen moms, and HEI who are resident in the assigned health district;

·         Enroll the caregiver(s) and other children

·         Conduct needs assessment of all those enrolled and HIV risks assessment for those whose HIV status is unknown.

·         Developed individualized case plans and ensure that they are implemented based on the priority needs.

·         Deliver layered services directly or indirectly based on the individualized case plans, which will include:

HEALTH DOMAIN

o Monthly home visits to provide adherence counseling and support for the CLHIV and psychosocial counselling and support for the entire household, age-appropriate HIV disclosure and conduct nutritional assessment, counselling and support;

o Monthly home visits to provide Early Stimulation and Learning; and Water, Hygiene and Sanitation (WASH) directed to caregivers.

o Track developmental milestones for children at 6, 12, 18 and 24 months using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire ((ASQ-3);

o Conduct completed referrals and facilitated access to health facilities for children presenting with developmental challenges

o Conduct completed referrals and facilitated access to health facilities for project participants needing HIV testing, Early Infant Diagnosis for HIV Exposed Infants (HEI), Viral Load testing, and Tuberculosis diagnosis;

o Conduct completed referrals and facilitated access to health facilities for perinatal care including PMTCT;

o Conduct completed referrals and facilitated access to health facilities for consultation, laboratory tests and treatment of opportunistic infections, sexually transmissible infections (STI) and cases of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM);

o Conduct completed referrals and facilitated Teenagers living with HIV to regularly participate in Adolescent friendly PLHIV support group sessions;

o Conduct completed referrals and facilitated access to health facilities for immunization appropriate to age-based according to the Expanded Program for Immunization (EPI)

SAFE DOMAIN

o Provide post violence first line psychosocial support

o Conduct completed referrals and facilitated access to post-violence professional psychosocial care including medical care of GBV survivors;

o Conduct completed referrals and facilitated access to legal support services for children and adolescents related to maltreatment, GBV, trafficking and exploitation;

o Work in collaboration with adult mentors and peer educations to conduct evidenced-based intervention on preventing HIV and violence, and in reducing and avoiding sexual risk of 9-14 years including Sinovoyu Teens (Positive Parenting Groups sessions)

o Provide legal & other administrative fees related to Civil registration, e.g., birth certificate

SCHOOLED DOMAIN

o Conduct visits atleast once in a quarter to provide assistance/ support with homework, reviewing class work and monthly continuous Assessments (sequences)

o Implement educational support . This might include provision of school material (books, school bags, writing material), payment of bursary and examination fees or school placement.

STABLE DOMAIN

o   Conduct complete referrals and facilitate the participation of households in emergency cash transfer programs;

o   Sensitize families and encourage caregivers and adolescent to participate in Savings and Internal Lending Communities (SILC) or other formal saving schemes .

                 GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

·         In consultation with the families implement follow up and monitor project participants to ensure that the case plan is being implemented. Monitor progress towards goals either through home visits or check ins with support groups (e.g. people living with HIV (PLHIV, SRH support groups, SILC groups).

·         Conduct the case plan achievement readiness assessment of all beneficiaries every 6 months.

·         Establish individualized and households case files and properly document all enrolled project participants;

·         Work closely with the Case Management Coordinator (CMC) and Data Clerk to provide quality services and data.

·         Be responsible for a maximum of 120 children and adolescents (about 30 households) in all;

·         Initiate referrals to other service providers and ensure effective linkage.

·         Participate on weekly management and data quality assurance meetings.

·         Submit weekly quality and timely reports accompanied with relevant data.

·         Complete the Case Closure Checklist for any project participant who exit the project (e.g. death, transfer, displaced, graduation).

·         Perform any other task assigned by the line management

Minimum Qualifications:

·         Qualification in Social Work or any related discipline

·         At least 2 years of experience in community development activities,

·         Experience with OVC care and support programming

·         Has the physical stamina to work as community Case worker

·         Should be respected in the community

·         Professional proficiency in one or more local languages of the operational area

·         Experience in disability prevention and management

Personal Skills

• Critical thinking and strong logical reasoning skills.
• Observation, active listening and analysis skills with ability to make sound judgments.
• Good relationship management skills and the ability to work closely with health facility staff, local partner staff and community members.
• Ability to motivate peers to achieve shared objectives.
• Training and facilitation skills.
• Attention to details, accuracy and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities.
• Proactive, results-oriented and service-oriented.

Required/Desired Foreign Language: Fluency in French, Professional Proficiency in English required/ local language/ Pidgin English

Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skills, efforts, task and responsibilities associated with this position

Application Process:

Files  must include:

1.    a cover letter

2.     CV of maximum pages

3.    Application  addressed to the IDF Coordinator

4.    List of atleast 3 references

5.    An  evidence of relevant academic/professional qualifications

6.    Proof of candidates professional experience

Applications should be submitted in hard copy in the office at Mile 3 Nkwen           (FONAB Junction) or online  sent to the following address : idfbamenda@gmail.com and copy(cc) fetelleannette@gmail.com

Deadline for submission will be 28/12/2023 at 3pm

Female candidates are encouraged to apply.

NB: Incomplete applications or applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

NB: Applicants should note that IDF values and protects human life at all cost and will be required to do same if recruited. IDF also expects it staff to treat all persons equal with dignity, respect and to actively prevent harassment, abuse, exploitation & trafficking.