Case Manager, Europe

About KIND

Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) is a global leader in the protection of unaccompanied and separated children who are forcibly displaced from their countries of origin. Launched in 2008, KIND champions a world in which every child’s rights and well-being are protected throughout their journey to safety.

Building on its extensive programming and successful model in the United States, KIND is expanding in the Americas and Europe to bring its experience to bear in working with unaccompanied and separated children. Our work focuses on addressing the legal and mental health needs of this population; building strong partnerships and engaging in training and capacity strengthening with governments, NGOs, and the private sector; and advocating for systemic and pragmatic reforms to advance the rights of unaccompanied and separated children.

Position Summary

KIND is seeking a full time Case Manager, Europe who will be based in Slovakia to work with a growing team on a new project within the region. The Case Manager, Europe will provide case management support to children and youth displaced from Ukraine who may be at risk and/or may be victims/witnesses of conflict related crimes, including human trafficking related crimes, exploitation and international core crimes and will work to support accountability efforts in investigating these crimes. The Case Manager, Europe will be based in a newly established Hub in Slovakia within the offices of KIND’s local civil society partner (Human Rights League). The incumbent will work with KIND lawyer and KIND Project Manager in a matrix setting and reports directly to the KIND Project Director, Europe.

KIND’s approach leverages our expertise in child migration and culturally responsive legal and social services to protect children displaced by the conflict in Ukraine from trafficking, abuse and other serious harm whilst assisting them to access improved justice as well as access their rights.

Under this new project, the newly established Hub will support law enforcement agencies to pursue conflict-related investigations where children and youth displaced from Ukraine may be at risk and/or may be victims/witnesses of conflict related crimes, including human trafficking related crimes, exploitation, and international core crimes. This will include sharing evidence using Open-Source Intelligence software. The Case Manager, Europe will work with the OSINT software, provide child centered and trauma informed case management in the Hub alongside a KIND Legal Counsel who will provide legal assistance, leveraging KIND expertise in holistic trauma-informed case management in providing legal, social and psychological services to protect children while pursuing accountability efforts, access to justice and safeguarding.

The incumbent will also support the KIND Child Protection Specialist, Europe in developing and delivering multi-disciplinary interagency trainings for staff of the local civil society partner organization, and national stakeholders (law enforcement, child protection, legal, social, prosecutorial, interpreters and medical) on protection of children who are witnesses/victims of conflict-related crimes including human trafficking related crimes, on collecting and analyzing open source information to support investigations and victims accounts and on child friendly multi-agency modalities of work when information is shared to support investigations where child victims/witnesses of serious crimes are involved from the first contact, through the entire process. The incumbent will also contribute to broader systems strengthening activities that the Hub in Slovakia will undertake to further the objectives of the project, including adapting information and resources produced at a regional level for the Slovakian context.

This position will be based remotely from Slovakia, with frequent visit to the offices of our local civil society partner, Human Rights League in Bratislava, Slovakia.

The candidate must possess legal authorization to work in the country of residence.

This role is full-time, but we will consider candidates who are available part-time.

Travel required within Europe and specifically Slovakia, Czechia, Poland, and Romania.

Essential Functions

• Works side-by-side with the KIND lawyer and the Project Manager, Europe, through outreach and referrals, to screen, identify and connect with cases of children and youth from Ukraine who may be witnesses/victims of conflict related crimes.
• Follows the guidance developed by KIND’s Child Protection Specialist, Europe and Project Director, Europe conducts risk assessments and assesses initial legal, social and medical needs, responds to these needs by referring to appropriate services regarding psychological/medical, accommodation and other needs if/when appropriate and with the necessary consents.
• Reports to the Project Director, Europe, conducts initial intake interviews with children and youth, their caregivers, relatives or legal guardians, case managers of other organizations (in case of incoming referrals), lawyers, interpreters and psychologists and records all data, in a given format to plan for evidentiary interviews by law enforcement when applicable to take place fully in line with trauma-informed methods of work.
• Leads the management of a case responding to the legal and social needs of the child witnesses/victims to ensure they are accessing child friendly information, assistance and wider rights and protection with a view to also enable children and youth from Ukraine to be better prepared to cooperate with law enforcement and other agencies.
• Accompanies and assists children, their caregivers, and relatives as applicable in all contacts with institutions such as immigration police, child protection, school, job, medical, psychological and humanitarian assistance, etc., under the direction of the KIND Legal Counsel as needed.
• Follows the initial intake, following the guidance of the Child Protection Specialist, Europe and works in inter-disciplinary teams led by the Project Manager, Europe and the KIND lawyer engaging interpreters, psychologists, law enforcement and the prosecutorial authority to coordinate all logistical aspects linked to hearing/evidentiary interviews of child witnesses by investigating authorities to take place in child friendly manner, including taking all practical arrangements related to the organization of such hearings in child friendly way.
• Collects and analyzes information establishing reasonable grounds to believe that conflict-related crimes may be committed and use Open-Source Intelligence software as a tool to analyze data pertaining to the possible commission of such crimes, including trafficking-related offences where children and youth displaced from Ukraine may be victims and witnesses, for accountability purposes.
• Collects and analyzes information provided by clients, cross checking it with information available in open sources including by using Open-Source Software tools provided by KIND to support pre-investigative efforts in gathering evidence pertaining to the possible commission of conflict related crimes, including any digital data provided by clients for later investigative purposes.
• Alongside the Project Manager, Europe, and KIND Legal Counsel, records all relevant case information for safeguarding, and case management, in line with the case management needs, while using the KIND Legal Case Management Database and any other tools provided by KIND.
• Writes case summaries, records, and inputs all data for analysis using all applicable technological tools, provides follow up and reports on case management regularly to the Project Manager, Europe and Project Director, Europe.
• Together with the KIND Legal Counsel, provides regular follow-up on cases to the Project Manager, Europe, and Project Director, Europe.
• When applicable, conducts case-review with partner organizations with the KIND Legal Counsel, Project Manager, Europe Child Protection Specialist, Europe and Project Director, Europe.
• With the KIND lawyer, liaises with partner organizations and partner lawyers on data collection, sharing, data protection and/or monitoring of cases under the direction of the Project Manager, Europe and Project Director, Europe.
• Documentation, Analysis and Reporting: maintaining accurate and up-to-date documentation, identification, referral, analysis, reports such as case files, progress reports, and statistical data, in addition to, reporting to stakeholders and/or funders/donors.
• Training and Professional Development: Attends training, professional development, and staying abreast of developments in the field of child protection, identification of red signs/vulnerabilities/issues, analysis of information and use of Open-Source data to support case building, trauma-informed care, and relevant legal and social services; assists the Child Protection Specialist, Europe in trainings delivering.
• Cultural Competency and Sensitivity: Include expectations for cultural competency, sensitivity, and awareness of the diverse backgrounds and experiences of children and families, especially considering the context of working with displaced populations.
• Supports the Project Director, Europe, the Project Manager, Europe, Child Protection Specialist, Europe and the KIND Legal Counsel to carry out capacity building and systems strengthening activities within Slovakia linked to the aims of the project.
• Maps services for areas where new partnerships need to be established.
• Any other relevant tasks.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in criminology, social work, psychology, forensic interviewing, investigative journalism, anthropology, in combination with law or any other inter-disciplinary field of behavioral science, a Master’s degree is a plus.
• Minimum of 3 years case management or similar experience preferably working with children and/or families. Experience working with migrant children is a strong asset.
• Spoken and written fluency in Slovak and English. Ukrainian and Russian are strong assets.
• Strong analytical thinking. Proficiency with the use of technologies and online tools is a strong asset.
• A strong record of cultural competence, cross-cultural communication skills, and cross-sectoral relationship development. Passion for KIND’s mission of supporting unaccompanied and separated migrant and refugee children, and an ability to communicate this to others.
• Soft skills in establishing trust and connecting with clients on a human level is essential.
• Proven knowledge of application of trauma-informed principles in working with children who are witnesses and victims of crime and severe human rights violations is a strong asset.
• Having worked as a paralegal or having experience working side by side with law enforcement/prosecutorial authorities, lawyers, attorneys, social work, and child protection is a strong asset.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze information, think out of the box and learn new technologies is essential.
• Experience in working with open-source intelligence and attention to detail is a strong asset.
• Strong communication skills, open mindedness, discreteness, and cultural sensitivity
• Ability to work collaboratively and effectively within and across multi-disciplinary teams.
• Demonstrated ability to manage time and cases effectively.
• Competency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint), ability to quickly learn new databases and new technologies.
• Experience working in the region, and familiarity with service providers, procedures and processes is an asset.
• Ability to travel nationally and within the region.
• Ability to work collaboratively and multi-task in our KIND environment, managing numerous priorities and emerging opportunities.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to work on multiple projects in a deadline-oriented environment; ability to prioritize tasks and delegate as appropriate.
• Ability to work effectively with people of diverse backgrounds, lived experiences, and communication styles.
• Commitment to prioritizing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, as well as embracing transparency and authenticity in daily work life.
• Be disciplined and nimble to ensure delivery on our core mission of access to justice and protection of children’s wellbeing and rights.
• Ability to multitask and work with a sense of urgency in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
• Committed to practicing and supporting wellbeing and a work-home life balance.
• Experience working and communicating in a remote environment.

€39,200 – €49,000 a year

KIND requires all staff be COVID vaccinated except for those who have medical or religious beliefs exemptions.