WHO ARE WE?
We Danish Refugee Council assists refugees and internally displaced persons across the globe: we provide emergency aid, fight for their rights, and strengthen their opportunity for a brighter future. We work in conflict-affected areas, along the displacement routes, and in the countries where refugees settle. In cooperation with local communities, we strive for responsible and sustainable solutions. We work toward successful integration and – whenever possible – for the fulfillment of the wish to return home. The Danish Refugee Council was founded in Denmark in 1956 and has since grown to become an international humanitarian organization with more than 7,000 staff and 8,000 volunteers. Our vision is a dignified life for all displaced. All of our efforts are based on our value compass: humanity, respect, independence and neutrality, participation, and honesty and transparency.
ABOUT THE JOB
The Protection Officer (Psychosocial Support), under the direct supervision of the Protection Team Leader in Herat, is primarily responsible for providing psychosocial counseling to the project beneficiaries and targeted communities, awareness raising, liaising with government and other key stakeholders, and conducting training.
Responsibilities:
- Establish and maintain positive and efficient relations with target beneficiaries, community members, humanitarian actors and all the other key stakeholders.
- Develop field activities plan in close coordination with Protection Team Leader for target communities
- Provide individual and group psychosocial counselling and awareness sessions to the project beneficiaries in target communities and/or at the urban Hub (community center).
- Builds trustful relationships with communities and maintains respectful and professional attitude towards communities.
- Identify major stressors factors in the community and provide counseling for handling the stress and provide all possible support from technical point of view.
- Provide focused psychosocial counselling to individuals, groups, and communities and ensure confidentiality.
- Support team in facilitating activities at the Child Friendly Space.
- Provide safe and stimulating non-structured as well as structured PSS activities such as recreational activities.
- Provide counselling and assistance to home how suffering from the high level of daily stress, SGBV survivors in addition to taking lead in the facilitation of group therapy sessions for SGBV survivors and women at risk.
- Provide capacity building to protection officers, assistants, focal points, community leaders, and other partners on guiding principles to basic counselling and standard case management practices and SGBV.
- Ensure that all individual case files are opened and closed according to the international standards and that the storage of the survivors’ data is in line with the data protection protocol.
- Conduct interviews, surveys, psychosocial evaluations, home visits, and referrals reporting of incidents or violations.
- Works closely with the MEAL officers in carrying out the client satisfactory surveys to measure the impact of the response services provided in addition to identifying the underlying gaps in the provision of the response services.
- Organize and facilitate regular community-level discussions to strengthen community-based prevention and response to Psychosocial issues and SGBV.
- Actively engage in the provision of psychosocial support and skill building activities at the Community level for
- the SGBV survivors and women at risk.
- Provide support in needs assessment surveys for future protection programming.
- Submit weekly progress reports of the activities to line manager.
- Perform other relevant duties, as needed, or requested.
ABOUT YOU
To be successful in this role you must have:
Experience and technical competencies:
- At least 2-3 years of work experience in psychological/psychosocial counseling, preferably with IDPs/refugees/returnees.
- Demonstrated strong experience working with vulnerable clients, including survivors of SGBV and victims of child abuse.
- Strong knowledge of child-friendly interviewing techniques and communicating with children.
- Familiarity with IASC Guidelines on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings.
- Understanding the psychosocial support needs of IDPs/refugees in Afghanistan
Education/qualifications:
- University degree in Psychology or Social Work, and a valid certificate from the Ministry of Health certifying as professional psychosocial counsellor.
- An understanding of the basic principles of humanitarian work, human rights, protection, and the needs of internally displaced persons and refugees in Afghanistan.
- Interest in humanitarian work and human rights, ability and willingness to learn.
- Ability to clearly express one’s thoughts, to analyze and present information clearly and concisely.
- Ability to set priorities and show initiative, to work independently and as part of a team.
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Good interpersonal and communication skills.
Languages:
- Fluency in Dari and Pashto [ESSENTIAL]. Good knowledge of English is preferred, but not essential.
Key stakeholders: (internal and external)
- BNFs-Hosts, IDPs, Returnees
- Community structures
- Partner Organization
- Government sectors including DoRR, DoE
We Offer:
- Contract length: to 31st of December 2024 with the possibility of Extension.
- Band: NMH
- Designation of Duty Station: Based in Herat with frequent travel to field offices.
- DRC has Flexible working hours for Females staff as per DRC Policy.
- 13th month’s salary Will be paid by end of each month with salary.
- Top-up credit card as per office regulations.
- 1+1 Health Insurance will be provided by DRC.
- Eid Bonus.
- DRC provide Transport allowance/ Transportation Facilities for female and people with disability.
- DRC Provides kindergarten/ Day Care allowance for max 2 children – Applicable to female mothers.
- Per diem allowance for employee and her Mahram – Applicable for female
- Salary and conditions will be in accordance with the DRC salary scale.
Application process:
Interested? Then apply for this position by clicking the Apply button below. All applicants must send a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages), Both must be in the same language as this vacancy note. CV-only applications will not be considered.
Note: Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.