Victim Services Manager (SWG/PS 3) - St. Catherine & Kingston

Strategic Objectives of the Division (in which the position is located):

To provide a social component to the delivery of justice through Alternative Justice Services and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) services - Restorative Justice, Child Diversion and Victim Services Programmes, to support the overall priorities of the Ministry. 

Job Purpose

The incumbent is required to provide high level victim services including emotional, technical support to victims of crime. In addition, the incumbent is responsible for ensuring effective management of the parish office and its resources including high quality management of the staff and volunteers and the relationships with stakeholders. 

Key Outputs:

• Victim services policies and programmes implemented; 
• Number of cases processed 
• Counselling sessions conducted 
• Promotional meetings attended 
• Inventories and standard procedures implemented according to guidelines; 
• Relationships with stakeholders developed and enhanced; 
• Effective client service delivered; 
• Victim Services parish activities planned organized and directed; 
• Victim Services programmes tracked and monitored; 
• Reports collated, prepared; 
• Parish Office operated efficiently; 
• Operational plan and budget prepared; 
• Work-plans and performance reports developed; 
• Staff trained and motivated and Parish managed 

Key Responsibility Areas:

To execute/deliver victim support services at the parish level and establish systems to effectively track and monitor their implementation. 

• Liaises with the Regional Director to participate in the development of appropriate plans for victim services in the parish; 
• Implements various forms of inventories and procedures developed in the delivery of client services;
• Leads the implementation of victim support strategies and planning capabilities within assigned parish;
• Manages the implementation of policies and procedures to ensure the delivery of high-quality client service; 
• Ensures proper case management of victim files; 
• Receives, interviews and records referral of crime victims from the Police, Courts and other Institutions;
• Arranges contacts with victims such as home visits; 
• Provides support for clients by arranging specialised groups and individual counselling sessions;
• Prepares and accompanies victims or relatives to court; enabling them to function psychologically;
• Prepares reports on clients for presentation at court; psycho-social and emotional rehabilitation;
• Monitors clients/victims at home, school and work in order to facilitate psycho-social and emotional rehabilitation; 
• Solicits the provision of emergency shelters for victims as well as pharmaceutical and medicinal assistance; 
• Administers programmes geared towards assisting children; 
• Provides counselling service to members of the security forces as the need arises;
• Act as mediator in domestic disputes; 
• Maintains integrity of the programme by creating an atmosphere of confidentiality for the clients;
• Receives, monitors, develops and maintains accurate and confidential records including reports of visits to victims and statistical reports; 
• Fosters crime prevention initiatives through the provision of Public Education on victim issues;
• Collates monthly report and other relevant data from technical staff; 
• Participates in the coordination of workshops at the parish. 

To engage stakeholders at the parish levels and promote the work of the Division.

• Maintains and enhances where appropriate, relationships with volunteers and other relevant stakeholders; 
• Ensures appropriate engagement of stakeholders in victim services promotional meetings;
• Monitors the impact of the victim services on stakeholders; 
• Participates in the conduct of promotional meetings to showcase the work of the VSB;
• Seeks feedback from internal and external stakeholders with regard to their satisfaction with the level of service provided. 
• Makes presentations on victim services issues at events, seminars, conferences, symposiums. 

To lead and manage the Parish Office in the achievement of the objectives. 

• Plans, organises and directs the work of the parish; 
• Recommends to the Regional Director the travel itinerary for staff. 
• Co-ordinates and supervises activities of staff to ensure completion of assignments as well as compliance with established systems and procedures; 
• Conducts regular meetings; 
• Develops and manages the performance of the staff with particular emphasis on transferring skills, motivating staff, setting performance targets, providing feedback to staff and arranging for training;
• Evaluates staff performance recommends training, leave, promotion and other benefits for staff;
• Manages the operations of the parish office and ensure that the physical assets and property including buildings are secured and properly maintained; 
• Attends meetings with the Regional Director; 
• Collaborates with the Regional Director to coordinate workshops and group meetings for general staff development; 
• Participates in the recruitment and orientation of staff; 
• Performs other duties that may be assigned including serving on various committees 

Performance Standards:

• Levels of satisfaction with policies and programmes implemented; 
• Levels of satisfaction with victim services interventions developed and implemented;
• Levels of satisfaction with reports prepared; 
• Timeliness and accuracy of reports prepared; 
• Quality of the relationships with the stakeholders; 
• Level/quality of Parish staff management including: transferring skills, motivating staff, setting performance targets, monitoring performance and providing feed-back to staff and arranging for training; 
• Corporate/operational plans and budget prepared within specified timeframe; 
• Work plans and performance reports developed within specified timeframe;

Required Competencies:

Core Competencies 

• Adaptability 
• Compliance 
• Customer and Quality Focus 
• Initiative 
• Integrity 
• Interpersonal 
• Oral Communication 
• Team Work & Cooperation 
• Time Management 
• Written Communication 

Technical/Functional Competencies

• Accountability 
• Analytical thinking 
• Attention to Detail 
• Coaching and Mentoring 
• Conflict Management 
• Goal/Results Oriented 
• Leadership 
• Methodical 
• Planning and Organizing 
• Presentation and Reporting 
• Problem Solving and Decision-making 
• Resilience 
• Stress Tolerance 
• Technical Skills 
• Use and Application of Technology 

Other Competencies

• Ability to cope with trauma
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and conviction of purpose in unfavourable or unpopular situations;
• Demonstrates sound personal and professional integrity, reflecting high ethical and moral values;
• High security awareness

Minimum Required Education and Experience

Specific knowledge (however acquired) required to start: 

• Counselling skills and theories 

Qualifications and Experience 

• First Degree in the Social Science with emphasis on Social Work/Counselling 
• Certificate in Supervisory Management; 
• Five (5) years’ Social Work work experience; 

Continuous Professional Development 

• Attend relevant training on emerging trends and practices within the field. 
• Network within the profession and relevant associationsto keep abreast with the industry 

Authority:

• Make recommendations 

Specific Conditions associated with the job

• Work will be conducted in an office outfitted with standard office equipment and specialized software.
• The environment is fast paced with on-going interactions with critical stakeholders
• Meeting tight deadlines which will result in high degrees of pressure, on occasions.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and clear driving record

The Ministry of Justice thanks all applicants for their interest, however only those shortlisted will be contacted.