Protection Officer

Under the management of the Protection Team Leader, the Protection Officer (PSS) will provide comprehensive psychosocial support services to targeted individuals and communities. S/he will work closely with individuals, families and community groups to address their emotional, social and mental health needs and promote their recovery and resilience-building processes.

Your main duties and responsibilities will be: 

Under the supervision of the Protection Team Leader, the Protection Officer (PSS) will:

• Facilitate PSS group sessions to promote mutual support, socialization and positive coping strategies
• Provide individual psychosocial support
• Support the development of PSS curricula for different groups
• Support the designing and delivery of psychoeducational awareness sessions (both content and materials) on psychosocial topics, including stress management, available mental health services, and coping skills
• Conduct community consultations on PSS needs
• Collaborate with other service providers, such as healthcare professionals and social workers, and make appropriate referrals and follow-up when needed
• Proactively identify community spaces allowing for privacy for the organization of PSS activities
• Foster community participation and engagement in psychosocial support activities, encouraging the active involvement of individuals, families and community stakeholders
• Identify and support, including through awareness and capacity-building, local resources, such as community-based organizations or volunteers, to enhance the availability of community-based psychosocial support
• Plan and participate in capacity-building sessions as needed and required, including on psychological first aid
• Contribute in developing and continuously updating a service mapping system detailing available services and assistance in DRC’s areas of operation
• Prepare regular reports on activities, achievements, challenges, and recommendations
• Any other duties as may be assigned by the Protection manager, relevant to the achievement of protection objectives
• Familiarity with social work or case management or counselling etc. is preferred but not required.
• Experience or strong interest in working with IDPs and conflict affected populations.
• Experience faciliating group interventions.
• 2+ years of experience in providing individual psychosocial support.
• Comfortable in speaking about sensitive topics and working with people in distress
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to work effectively with vulnerable individuals, staff members, and stakeholders from diverse backgrounds.
• Experience supervising staff is desirable.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple responsibilities.
• Strong sense of personal integrity and understanding of confidentiality and ethics.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Internet Explorer, Outlook/Exchange, Windows operating systems.
• Good English language skills preferred.
• Ukrainian language skills required.
• Familiarity with social work or case management or counselling etc. is preferred but not required.
• Experience or strong interest in working with IDPs and conflict affected populations.
• Experience faciliating group interventions.
• Experience in providing individual psychosocial support.
• Comfortable in speaking about sensitive topics and working with people in distress
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to work effectively with vulnerable individuals, staff members, and stakeholders from diverse backgrounds.
• Experience supervising staff is desirable.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple responsibilities.
• Strong sense of personal integrity and understanding of confidentiality and ethics.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Internet Explorer, Outlook/Exchange, Windows operating systems.
• Good English language skills preferred.
• Ukrainian language skills required.
• Required education: Degree in psychology

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’ five core competencies:   

• Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process. 
• Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback. 
• Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation. 
• Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly. 
• Demonstrating integrity: You uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to our values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

Source:  https://candidate.hr-manager.net/ApplicationInit.aspx?cid=1036&ProjectId=173094&DepartmentId=19100&MediaId=5