Development Worker (m/f/d) for the strengthening of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support structures

The project ‘Prevention of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV)’ is implemented by GIZ Rwanda since October 2024. It follows an integrated approach to address SGBV on a broad scale together with its Rwandan partners, including the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion (MIGEPROF) as well as civil society organizations (CSOs) like Haguruka and Health Development Initiative (HDI). The project has four main fields of intervention: 1) support to a more efficient coordination of stakeholders on a national level and local level, 2) support to the implementation of national guidelines for the reintegration of survivors on a local level, 3) strengthening of civil society organisations in their capacities to implement prevention and response services and 4) strengthening advocacy around SGBV. Your assignment will contribute to the third and fourth intervention field of the project. The focus is on improved psychosocial counselling resources and methods, foremost at Haguruka and HDI, and on the creation of a network of service providers/counsellors that allows for peer supervision and exchange.

• Conduct a capacity assessment of existing advisory services and counselling structures within Haguruka and HDI and of the resources of their staff who work with clients to identify capacity development needs
• Based on the assessment, develop, and implement trainings and other capacity development measures for Haguruka and HDI counsellors with focus on client-centred communication, trauma- and gender-sensitive method
• Develop new and link to existing resources, e.g. manuals, modules, handbooks that will support both organisations in sustaining the client-centred communication approach
• Conceptualise and implement methods of self-care for the staff of both organisations and make suggestions on how to anchor these in the organisations’ managerial processes
• Analyse the wider network of psychosocial counselling structures for persons affected by SGBV, including at the IOSC (based on the collaborations already established by the project) to identify synergies and possible networking opportunities
• Conceptualise and organise exchange meetings between relevant stakeholders in psychosocial support
• Conceptualise peer exchange or peer supervision processes that could be implemented in form of a professional network
• Contribute to exchanges with clients on the quality and challenges in the delivery of psychosocial services, such as communication barriers, time restraints etc.

• Professional background in clinical psychology, social work, health or social sciences
• Extensive working experience in the field of mental health and psychosocial support
• Knowledge and experience in applying counselling approaches and methods (non-violent, client-centred communication, supervision, self-care)
• Working and/or collaboration experience with civil society organisations
• Experience in planning and delivering trainings for adults, e.g. in the workplace
• Extensive knowledge in organizational development, including the creation and management of professional networks
• Experience in working and communicating in multi-cultural teams, resilience, ambiguity-tolerance
• Business fluency in English, basic knowledge of French is an advantage

We are pleased to offer you a first impression on topics such as climate, shopping and services, the school situation and health care in Rwanda.

In general, the security situation is calm. GIZ staff must adhere to security measures at all times. Please also check the county-specific information provided by the German Federal Foreign Office. A contact person for security risk management is appointed at the local GIZ office. GIZ does not impose any restrictions on life partners and family members to move with you to the country of deployment. Please note that the general and personal living conditions in the country of assignment may meet with different legal and social acceptance. We gladly support you with our many years of experience.

Further information on country-specific advice from the Federal Foreign Office at https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en.

GIZ's Development Service is looking forward to applications of candidates with a professional qualification and / or university degree and at least two years of professional experience. In addition you hold the German nationality or the nationality of a member state of the European Union.

Willingness to travel on a regular basis is required.

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Please observe the provisions of the country-specific vaccination regulations for entry and work in the country of assignment.

The actual departure date depends on the visa and entry regulations of the country of assignment.

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The basis for service as a development worker is the Development Workers Act (EhfG) and a comprehensive package of benefits based on it. This includes, among other things, targeted professional and personal preparation. We offer the opportunity to work in an innovative, globally active development institution. Your competencies are in demand in an interdisciplinary team on site.

GIZ is a signatory of the Diversity Charter. Recognition, appreciation and inclusion of diversity in the company are important to us. All employees shall be valued - regardless of gender and gender identity, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, social background, age or sexual orientation.

We support equal opportunities and welcome applications from people with disabilities.