Turkey: Statutory Services Officer based in Gaziantep

About GOAL

GOAL an International Humanitarian Organisation is an international emergency and development NGO dedicated to alleviating the suffering of the poorest and most vulnerable. GOAL was established in 1977 and is currently operational in 13 countries world-wide.

GOAL has been working in Syria since 2013, responding to the acute needs of conflict-affected communities. GOAL is working in Idleb Governate, both through direct implementation and through partners, delivering food, non-food programming to highly vulnerable populations, and provision of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) through support to Water units, as well as emergency support to recently displaced household.

GOAL has been contributing to the urban refugee responses in Turkey since 2016 with a focus on responding to needs in health service delivery, social safety nets and the protection of vulnerable and marginalised migrants in southern Turkey.

Overview of the Link Program

GOAL seeks three Statutory Services Officer (SSO) for the ECHO-funded LINK program. The program aims to connect vulnerable and marginalized communities to available state and non-state services in Ankara, Gaziantep, Sanliurfa and Adana using the outreach, advocacy and Individual Protection Assistance (IPA) approaches. Link will address and mitigate protection concerns of the vulnerable/marginalized refugees through provision of critical information and raising their awareness on their rights, obligations and services available in Turkey, by sensitization/advocacy (targeting key stakeholders and service providers, etc.) activities and Individual Protection Assistance (IPA) services to assist vulnerable individuals to access to basic, social and protective services available under the provisions of Temporary and International Protection regulations in Turkey. In Gaziantep and Sanliurfa the program will exclusively target the semi-nomadic groups including Dom, a marginalized community currently excluded from most services.

Position Summary

Based either in Gaziantep, Adana or Şanlıurfa and working under the supervision of the Link Deputy Program Manager in their respective locations, the statutory services officers (SSOs) will be working in close collaboration with the GOAL IPA and outreach teams including the legal counsellor and with the GOAL’s social services officer for technical inputs and supports. S/he will be the focal point for all case referrals/accompaniments to local authorities and statutory social services. The SSOs will support and promote the protection and wellbeing of individuals whose cases require accessing to statutory social services provided by i.e. the directorates of the MoFLSS, municipalities, PDMMs and other legally mandated entities.

General Functions of the role

• Work co-operatively with other agencies and stakeholders in respective Link program locations particularly with statutory service providers including PDs of MoFLSS, municipality social services and PDMMs for the most vulnerable cases with critical needs for ID verification/transfer and registration, etc.
• Contribute to local forums and coordination mechanisms, as agreed upon with the line manager, to develop and nurture fruitful local partnerships.
• Be up-to-date on his/her knowledge of local service provisions for appropriate referrals and lead on collating provincial information regarding service gaps and policy changes, etc. to inform Link activities and service development.
• Ensure adherence to internationally recognized protection principles, standards and relevant international and local regulations.
• Ensure adherence with GOAL’s code of conducts and other internal policies i.e. on confidentiality, safeguarding, equality, diversity and inclusion including the GOAL's commitments to the protection from sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA).
• Work with supervisors and peers in harmony to achieve Link service plans, objectives/targets.
• Participate in one to one performance development reviews/appraisals and contribute to the identification of own development needs.
• Ensure full compliance with the GOAL’s health and safety policy and all locally agreed safe methods of work.

Key Responsibilities and Duties

• Actively introduce and promote the Link IPA services with service users, colleagues and others within and outside the organization, particularly, with the statutory services.
• Provide appropriate information to clients, professionals, colleagues and others in order to maximize good decision-making processes.
• Ensure that referral activities are compliant with GOAL IPA SOPs, GOAL’s accountability principles, international protection and social work case management principles including local legislative requirements.
• Maintain up to date knowledge of research, policies and procedures, and have in depth knowledge of legislations relevant to provision of statutory social work services to families and individuals.
• Keep updated on protection/social work services by state and municipal actors in the areas of operation and advocate for access to services on behalf of beneficiaries.
• Serve as liaison to public services and support IPA teams with the case work/referral of survivors of child abuse, violence and gender based violence, etc. by developing and sustaining a functioning referral pathway with relevant statutory protection services, particularly, with the MoFLSS and municipality social services, including PDMM for the most vulnerable cases with critical needs for fast track registration, etc.
• Provide referral and accompaniment services to clients with a range of social and personal issues, working together and empowering them, to address their needs/challenges and reduce their protection concerns/risks.
• Effectively utilize existing community resources, identify possible alternative sources of support to the maximise contribution from other agencies and advocate for access to services on behalf of clients.
• Pro-actively promote appropriate adjustments in a case plan to enhance outcomes when a situation is static or regressive including communicating changes in eligibility, when identified, to IPA teams and supervisor.
• At all times, be vigilant of potential child/adult protection issues and report any suspicions to the supervisor and/or to IPA teams.
• Work in a professional manner with clients, families and relatives to establish mutual trust and understanding, and to ensure services provided address identified needs and issues.
• Understand the processes of discrimination and oppression at individual, cultural and structural levels and challenge them appropriately.
• Offer practical help and emotional support to individuals and families experiencing short or long-term difficulties including provision of motivational counselling to facilitate/improve their engagement in IPA and other Link services.
• Develop and use a range of interpersonal, communication and interviewing skills to carry out different level of assessments of risks and needs of individuals and families (assesses needs and issues of service users together with their capabilities, strength and resources).
• When and as requested by the supervisor, conduct IPA case assessments and engage in case planning and supports.
• Promote the most effective and efficient use of GOAL’s material, human and financial resources.
• Within the bounds of confidentiality and appropriate consent, communicate effectively with individuals and agencies using a variety of methods to keep them appropriately informed and involved in the IPA service processes.
• Maintain and update referral documentations/information and ensure that progress is logged in the referral trackers, files and database.
• Bring the relationship with a client to a professional conclusion.
• Prepare and submit weekly, biweekly and monthly progress reports to supervisor as requested.
• Work with the MEAL team to ensure that appropriate monitoring activities are undertaken to a high standard to capture lesson learned and best practices.

Requirements (essential)

• Turkish Citizenship
• University degree in a related field e.g. social work, social sciences and public administration, etc.
• At least 1 to 2 years’ work experience in I/NGOs environment preferably with some experiences in individual protection assistance and case management approaches.
• At least one-year experiences liaising with governmental departments, local authorities and statutory social services.
• Experience of participation in humanitarian coordination mechanisms.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, in English and Turkish. Arabic is a strong advantage.
• Skills and experiences in case assessment and analysis including protection risk analysis, and case planning.
• Takes initiative, prioritises well, works under pressure and manages time and tasks effectively.
• Demonstrates strong negotiation, advocacy and diplomacy skills.
• Understands and is committed to diversity and equality and treats everyone with respect.
• In depth knowledge of legislation, procedures and guidelines relevant to local authorities and statutory social work services.
• Skilful in engaging with clients and to establish working relationship with statutory agencies.
• Working knowledge and practices with Word, Excel, Outlook, etc. required.

General terms and conditions

GOAL has a Staff Code of Conduct and a Child Protection Policy, which have been developed to ensure the maximum protection of programme participants and children from exploitation. GOAL also has a confidentiality policy ensuring the non-disclosure of any information whatsoever relating to the practices and business of GOAL, acquired in the course of duty, to any other person or organisation without authority, except in the normal execution of duty. Any candidate offered a job with GOAL will be expected to adhere to these policies any job offer made is also subject to police clearance. GOAL is an equal opportunities employer.

This Job Description only serves as a guide for the position available. GOAL reserves the right to change this document. Any published closing dates are estimated. Due to the nature of GOAL’s work we aim to fill vacancies as quickly as possible. This means that we will close adverts as soon as we have found the right candidate and this may be before the published closing date. We would therefore advise interested applicants to submit an application as early as possible.

Interested? Then apply for this position by clicking on the apply now button and fill out the application form. All applicants must send a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages). Both must be in English. Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Applications close 15 July 2019.

Thank you.

Interested? Then apply for this position via clicking on the "**apply now**" button and fill out the application form. All applicants must send a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages). Both must be in English. Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.