The Danish Refugee Council (DRC), an international non-governmental organization (NGO), has been providing relief and development services in the Horn of Africa since 1997. DRC promotes and supports solutions to the problems faced by refugees, internally displaced people (IDPs), and migrants. The organization has offices across the region, and has been operational in Ethiopia since 2009. With funding from bilateral and multilateral donors, DRC is currently implementing a range of activities across Ethiopia and Djibouti, including WASH and shelter provision, child and youth protection, gender based violence response, awareness-raising of migration risks, protection monitoring of migration routes, and livelihoods support for returning migrants or those at-risk of migration.
The overall purpose of the role:
The Protection officer (PSS) under the direct supervision of Protection Team Leader in Somali region will be responsible for organizing and supervising all l, psychosocial support (PSS) including awareness creation, and awareness activities for children, youth and adults within DRC integrated Community Centers in different IDP sites in Somali region as well as supervise DRC’ Integrated Community Centre volunteers conducting the activities. The protection officer PSS will develop activity planning and monitor the implementation of a psychosocial program in the Integrated community center. He /she will ensure psychosocial care is integrated as holistic care within the DRC protection Program as well as to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to seek essential supports for the IDPs with psychosocial needs.
Responsibilities: (in bullet points)
Technical Responsibilities:
Develop Community-based outreach programs to promote awareness of appropriate coping strategies in response to psychosocial issues identified
Safely identify and mobilize community members to participate in activities at the community center;
Ensure CB PSS is delivered in line with global minimum standards and DRC guidelines
Ensure DRC ICC are safe spaces to provide community-based PSS (CB PSS) and identify and train community focal points and Community Based Group (CBG) members to deliver CB PSS.
Raise awareness about the activities in the community center with the community including with community leaders and focal points;
Assist the community volunteers (CVs) in the identification of beneficiaries in need of counseling and ensure individual or group support for identified beneficiaries
Promote the use of community-based approaches, including clear involvement of IDPs in PSS programs
Safely identify and refer members of the community who require additional assistance and services to specialized services with defined referral pathways and Standard Operating Procedures, with a particular focus on high risk cases
Train volunteers and/or train trainers in community-based protection and psychosocial support approaches and interventions such as psychological first aid and counseling
Support community initiatives, actively encouraging those that promote community and family support for all affected community members, including people at greatest risk.
Provide coaching, mentoring and training to CB PSS facilitators
Reporting
Participate in activity reporting and lesson learning.
Ensure the proper documentation of data collected (hard and soft copies) during CB PSS (attendance sheets, permission slips, parental consent, referrals, etc.)
Participate in the preparation of accurate reports for all Psycho-social related activities
Collect monthly data and prepare narrative reports to provide updates of the project indicators submit to Protection team leader
Job Requirement
Experience and technical competencies: (include years of experience)
Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, Social Work, , or another related field.
Minimum of 2+ years’ direct experience on PSS
Experience implementing Youth Empowerment Programming, Child-Friendly Spaces, Case Management, Psychosocial programming for people affected by disaster conflicts such as refugees or IDPs
Familiarity with IASC Guidelines on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings
Strong understanding of and working experience with IDP protection (such as community-based protection, child protection, and SGBV prevention and response).
Excellent knowledge of Child Protection standards and basic principles.
Proven experience in facilitating trainings
Excellent knowledge of safe identification and referral principles
Full proficiency in Microsoft Office;
Desirables:
Prior experience of working in Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR) projects
Experience in an NGO environment
At least 1-year of experience in the provision of Psychosocial support activities with children and caregivers
Knowledge of child protection and GBV and PSS basic principles, child development and adult learning techniques
Education:
Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, Social Work,, or another related field.
Languages:
Excellent verbal and written proficiency in Somali, Amharic, and English
All DRC roles require the post-holder to master DRC’s core competencies:
Striving for excellence: Focusing on reaching results while ensuring efficient processes.
Collaborating: Involving relevant parties and encouraging feedback.
Taking the lead: Taking ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.
Communicating: Listening and speaking effectively and honestly.
Demonstrating integrity: Acting in line with DRC's vision and values