Psychosocial Support Officer /PSSO 53 views2 applications

Job Description

About Innovative Humanitarian Solutions

 IHS is non-profit humanitarian organization working to discover and meet humanitarian needs in ways that build an individual’s personal dignity and worth. IHS works through partnerships with individuals, organizations and government agencies whose desire is  to make a genuine difference in the lives of people at risk. IHS is working with UNHCR, RRS, UNICEF, IOM, BHA/IRC. IHS works in the areas of Child Protection and Youth, Protection Monitoring, NFI, Livelihoods, Emergency Education and WASH in both IDP and refugee programs in Afar, Amhara and Tigray in Ethiopia.

About the Country Program in Ethiopia

 IHS’s Current Areas of Engagement includes, Protection Monitoring and Monitoring by Presence; Integrated Child Protection; (Case Management, PSS and FTR) (IDP/refugee); CRI/NFI Distribution for IDPs; WASH service (for refugee) and Pre-Primary Education in area of Tigray Refugee Camps, and Tigray IDP Response Program covering areas of Mekelle, Adigrat, Axum and Adwa, Shire, Shiraro, Adi Daero, Endabaguna and Mai-Tsebri. In Amhara as part of the IDP Response Program IHS works in Debrebirhan, Mekeneslam, Dessie and its surrounding area, North Gondar (Debarek, Debat, Alemwach) and Wagehimra area and Afar Refugee Response Program in Serdo and Aysaita.

Summary of the position

  •  The PSS role’s purpose, engagement and delivery are:
  • The main responsibility of this position is to carry out an array of age and gender appropriate psychosocial support activities for the most vulnerable and at-risk children, adolescents, caregivers, and persons with specific needs with respect to their culture and contextual sensitivities.
  • The position demands working towards meeting the minimum standards of humanitarian coordination practices and guidelines.

Essential job duties

Psychosocial Support:

  • Conduct specific child-focused activities for psychosocial well-being and building resilience of most vulnerable and at-risk children and adolescents by ensuring a variety of activities that include active games, sports, expressive/creative activities, life skills, educational activities.
  • Mobilize and empower adolescent boys and girls through different activities that suit their interest, promote their psychosocial well-being and create an opportunity for their direct social engagement at community level.
  • Conduct emotional group support sessions for caregivers and Persons with specific needs/PSNs.
  • Conduct awareness sessions on issues affecting the protection and well-being of children, women at risk, old age and persons with disabilities.
  • Provide basic counselling sessions to support children, women at risk, old age and persons with disabilities to better cope with difficulties, distress and enhance their resilience.
  • Identify vulnerable children and adults in a need of protection or support and conduct referral to the case management team.
  • Establish and maintain positive and efficient relations with target beneficiaries, community members, humanitarian actors and all the other key stakeholders.
  • Ensure availability of the PSS materials and safe storage and maintenance of the PSS materials.
  • Prepare weekly activity schedule, keep record of newly registered beneficiaries, fill beneficiaries daily’s attendance lists and other reports as required by the line manager and ensure accuracy and timely submission.
  • Under the guidance of the coordinator, conduct participatory monitoring activities to collect beneficiaries’ feedback and opinions on the quality and satisfaction of activities.
  • Provide supervision, mentorship, and guidance to PSS volunteers.
  • Perform any other job-related duties as requested by the line manager.

Child Protection and Persons with Specific Needs/PSNs:

  • Promote inclusion and equal access for children and PSNs, paying particular attention to the most vulnerable and at-risk.
  • Identify potential cases of children victims and PSNs /or at heightened risk of violence, abuse, exploitation and neglect and any other protection concern or threat and report to the CP coordinator.
  • Always maintain strict confidentiality regarding information and data of beneficiaries.
  • Ensure IHS Child Safeguarding Policy and Child Protection Minimum Standards are mainstreamed through all the programmatic activities.
  • Report serious cases of abuse committed against children to the Child Protection Project Manager. Strict confidentiality must be respected.

Coordination & Representation

  • Coordinates with other IHS staff to ensure implementation of standardized activities and with other departments (programme and support) of IHS as necessary.
  • Represent IHS project in coordination meetings held at site level in her/his field of expertise.
  • Fully comply with IHS Code of Conduct and ensure Child Safeguarding Policy is always upheld.
  • Ensure adherence to IHS standards and quality requirements in all the project activities.
  • Adhere to and ensure the team under her/his responsibility follows IHS administrative and logistical regulations and procedures.
  • Creating and maintaining an environment free from abuse and exploitation, obligation to report any concerns, participation in mandatory PSEA trainings, and work with respect the code of conduct to protect beneficiaries. He/she is responsible to keep all information confidential regarding with the beneficiary’s data and organizational rules and regulations.    

Safeguarding Commitments

  •  IHS has a zero tolerance to violations of Child and Adult Safeguarding, Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and the Code of Conduct. In the process of recruitment, selection, and appointment IHS implement a range of procedures and actions including Criminal Background Checks/ International vetting/Certificate of good conduct to ensure children and vulnerable adults are safeguarded and abuse is prevented.
  •  IHS holds strict child safeguarding principles and a zero-tolerance policy for conducts of sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse in the workplace and other places where the organization’s activities are rendered. Parallel to technical competence, recruitment, selection and hiring decisions will give due emphasize to assessing candidates value congruence and thorough background checks, reference check processes.

 Gender Equality Commitments  

  • Foster an environment that supports values of women and men, and equal access to information.
  • Provide a work environment where women and men must be evaluated and promoted based on their skills and performance.
  • Respect beneficiaries’ women, men, children (boys and girls) regardless of gender, sex orientation, disability, religion. race, color, ancestry, national origin, age, or marital status.
  • Value and respect all cultures.

Country Office: Innovative Humanitarian Solutions /IHS Ethiopia

Base/Duty place: Dabat and Adierkay; North Gondar; and Debrebirhan

Availability:  Immediately

Contract Duration:         11 months (with possibility for extension)

Job Requirements

Required Qualifications and Professional Experience

  • Education: University degree in Social Work, Social Studies, Psychology, Education or any other related discipline.
  • Work experience: Minimum 2-year experience in the field of child protection / protection/SGBV/ PSS.

Required Skills & Competencies

  • Language Skills: Fluent in local languages and in English (speaking/reading/writing).
  • Knowledge & skills: Excellent analytical and writing skills, creative thinking.
  • Computer skills: Good knowledge of the MS office software.

All applicants must upload a cover letter and an updated resume where the latter must include three professional referees, and both must be in the same language as this vacancy note. mealto [email protected] Opening and Closing date for applications is 30/01/2023- 05/02/2023.

Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply!

More Information

  • This job has expired!

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