Title: Anti-Rape Crisis Cell (ARCC) Coordinator

Organization: Legal Aid Society

Project: Strengthening State’s Response to Sexual Violence 

Location: Karachi

Position Type: Full-Time Contractual Employment

1. Background: 

Legal Aid Society (LAS) is working with the Government of Punjab, KPK, and Sindh, alongside Ministry of Law and Justice, in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to strengthen thestate’s response to instances of sexual violence in the province. The project revolves around the implementation of the Anti-Rape (Investigation & Trial) Act 2021 and the accompanying Rules. LAS has set up four pilot Anti-Rape Crisis Cells (ARCCs) at Bahawal Victoria Hospital (BVH), Bahawalpur, Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center, Karachi, and Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad  under Section 4 of the Anti-Rape (Trial and Investigation) Act, 2021. The pilots have been providing medico-legal examination, police services (through the Special Sexual Offences Investigating Unit – SSOIU), legal and psycho-social support to victims and survivors of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) under one roof. 

As an integral part of the team at ARCC, LAS requires experienced coordinators (day shift – 12 hours) as consultant who can provide psychological first aid, coordination between the first responders, and ensure registration of all cases of SGBV crimes being received at Emergency Departments, where the ARCCs are based. 

2. Key Responsibilities 

The key responsibility of the ARCC Coordinator is to cater to the immediate response needs of the SGBV survivors and victims who are being received at the ARCCs. 

LAS requires the services of sensitized coordinator with demonstrated experience and expertise in working with SGBV victims and survivors. The coordinators are expected to undertake the following tasks:

• Conduct a preliminary needs assessment of the SGBV survivors and victims being received at the ARCCs and maintain the record of observations.

• Coordinate with duty initial medico-legal examiners, consultant doctors, psychologists, SSOIUs, Special Prosecutors under the Anti-Rape Act, 2021, lawyers, social welfare officers, and/or any other actors of the criminal justice and social welfare services as required by the survivors and victims.

• Register the cases and maintain their record and ensure updates/progress of the cases are updated up until the exit of the survivors and victims from the ARCC.

• Conduct exit feedback with the survivors and the persons accompanying the victims to assess user satisfaction and maintain a record of observations.

• Participate in bi-weekly check-ins with the Head of ARCC to report red flags and lessons learnt. 

• Submit a monthly report including the number of cases registered, preliminary psycho-social support provided, details of the emergency response and secondary response services provided, and exit feedback conducted at the ARCC to LAS representatives.

4. Minimum Required Expertise and Qualifications: 

• Bachelors in Psychology/Social Service/other related humanities disciplines. 

• 2 years of demonstrated work experience with victims and survivors of SGBV including rape, sodomy, sexual abuse and domestic violence.

5. Required Documents for Application: 

• Updated CV and Cover Letter.

EEO Statement

Integrated into our shared values is LAS’s commitment to diversity and equal employment opportunity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of sex, age, race, colour, creed, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristics or conduct protected by law. LAS is committed to being an inclusive organization where all people are treated fairly, recognized for their individuality, promoted based on performance and encouraged to strive to reach their full potential. We believe in understanding and respecting differences among all people. Every individual at LAS has an ongoing responsibility to respect and support a diverse environment.

Protection Against Sexual Exploitation and Abuse:

Legal Aid Society (LAS) is committed to the prevention and protection from all forms of sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA). LAS explicitly prohibits its
staff, associates, partners, consultants, or any other representatives associated with the delivery of its work from:

• Engaging in any form of sexual exploitation or abuse;
• Sexual activity with children (persons below the age of (18) irrespective of a mistaken belief of the age of the child which shall not amount to a defense);
• Exchange of money, employment, goods or services for sex, including sexual favors or other forms of humiliating, degrading or exploitative behavior, is prohibited. This includes any exchange of assistance that is due to beneficiaries of assistance;
• Sexual relationships between LAS staff and beneficiaries of assistance, since they are based on inherently unequal power dynamics,undermine the credibility and integrity of the work of LAS and are strongly discouraged.