Guardianship Coordinator

With over 70 years of experience, our focus is on helping the most vulnerable children overcome poverty and experience fullness of life. We help children of all backgrounds, even in the most dangerous places, inspired by our Christian faith.

Come join our 33,000+ staff working in nearly 100 countries and share the joy of transforming vulnerable children’s life stories!

Employee Contract Type:

Local - Fixed Term Employee (Fixed Term)Job Description:

POSITION: GUARDIAN

WORK LOCATION: Bihac, Transit Refugee Center Borici

NUMBER OF POSITIONS: 1 Position

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: April 03, 2024

PURPOSE OF POSITION

Guardians are key components of protection for Unaccompanied and Separated Children migrants (UASC) who are deprived of family care and whose parents cannot represent their interests. Position of Guardian in TRC's in BiH have wide-ranging responsibilities, from representing children in legal or other administrative proceedings, to ensuring that all decisions concerning children are taken in their best interests and account for the child’s views, as well as acting as a bridge between the child and other actors in the child protection system.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

Project Implementation:

• Guardians will ensure that all children’s basic needs, rights, and protections are met
• To always act in the best interest of the Protected Minor
• To supply the Protected Minor with proper care, including food, shelter, clothing, and all incidental necessities; appropriate residence; support; and education, including training for employment, if applicable.
• To provide the Protected Minor with medical, surgical, dental, psychiatric, psychological, hygienic, or other care and treatment as needed.
• To advocate on behalf of minors, specifically on issues related to: asylum procedures, family reunification procedures, familial communication and determining the minor’s best interest, healthcare, education, and psychosocial support.
• To guarantee that the practices used comply with the rights of the child and avoid harmful practices.
• Ensures that the procedures in which the child participates are conducted in a child-friendly manner.
• Coordinates the execution of planned activities, monitors their implementation and adapts activities to the needs of the child.
• Informs the child about his rights and obligations, about all facts and circumstances in a way appropriate to the age, maturity and understanding of the child (especially about rights, obligations, services and the possibility of access to international protection), and ensures the right to express opinions and needs.
• Ensuring children’s access to information
• Defining an individual social inclusion path for children, and to support communication with social workers in reception centers through its implementation.
• Facilitating a child’s access to legal aid during asylum and residence permit procedures.
• Ensuring that vulnerable children who need psycho-social or mental health support receive this support in reception facilities.
• Helping children access education and vocational training by maintaining their motivation and confidence, while ensuring their access to opportunities and validating the professional experiences and competencies they acquire.
• Ensuring that the best interests of the child are duly assessed during their transition to adulthood, including by supporting their continuum of care until the age of 18.
• Accompanies the child during the transfer to another location where the child should be placed / relocated or receive some of the necessary services.
• Assists the child in establishing contacts with international organizations and civil society organizations, which carry out activities aimed at supporting refugees / migrants.
• Represents the child in the proceedings for which he or she has been appointed: ensures that all proceedings are conducted and all decisions are made for the benefit of the child.
• Regularly visits and informs the unaccompanied child.
• Seeks to develop awareness and understanding of other actors about the role of the guardian and the importance of involving guardian in all decision-making processes for children whose protection is critical and where additional support is needed to provide basic care.
• If necessary, prepares reports for various needs, and according to the decision of the competent Centre for social work.

MINIMUM EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS TO QUALIFY FOR THE POSITION:

High school diploma with proven record in collaboration with local organization/Center for Social Welfare and in an area of Child Protection Bachelor’s degree in social work would be considered as an asset Prior experience with children especially adolescent will be considered as an asset Professional experience in the field of social services or in organizations which deal with immigrants or poverty alleviation is an asset; Must be socially perceptive to work with children who have difficulty expressing their needs. Must be organized and practical. Previous experience with migration context or projects would be considered as an asset. Proven coordination skills to connect individuals/families with relevant services.

ADDITIONAL WORK EXPERIENCE REQUIRED AS A MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS FOR THIS POSITION:

• Ability to compromise, negotiate and work well with others.
• Ability to work and problem-solve in high-stress situations;
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to prioritize
• Ability to perform well individually and as team member
• Fluent in verbal and written English and local language.

PREFERRED SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

• Demonstrates ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and partners
• Shows genuine care and empathy for others, expressed in appropriate ways for the context
• Take the initiative to quickly respond to critical situations or opportunities
• Interpersonal communication skills
• Computer literacy (office package)
• Maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules, code of conduct and WVI core values https://www.wvi.org/our-core-values

Applicant Types Accepted:

Local Applicants Only