Psychosocial Support (PSS) Assistant – Jere, Borno State

Introduction

The 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. Based in Copenhagen (Denmark) and present in forty countries, the Danish Refugee Council is a non-profit-making, politically independent, non-governmental and non-denominational relief organization.

Our vision is a dignified life for all displaced. All our efforts are based on our value compass: humanity, respect, independence and neutrality, participation, and honesty and transparency.

Background

Danish Refugee Council (DRC), and its safety unit, has had an operational presence in Nigeria since 2015. DRC Nigeria is the largest DRC country mission in the West Africa region and one of the largest DRC country missions globally. Currently, DRC delivers life-saving assistance and protection to vulnerable, conflict-affected populations including internally displaced persons, returnees and host communities in the areas of armed violence reduction, humanitarian mine action, livelihoods, nutrition and food security, protection, shelter and non-food items (NFI) and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in 30+ Local Government Areas (LGAs) across Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states in northeast Nigeria.

Purpose/objective of the position:

The PSS Worker implements structured and unstructured psycho-social support activities and trainings for beneficiary groups.

Generic Duties:

• Conduct a variety of structured and unstructured activities (recreational, psycho-social and informal skills training) for beneficiaries, catering to the various psycho-social needs and interests of different beneficiary groups (adults, adolescents, children if required in the proposal although as DRC is a general protection agency in Nigeria, often children will be referred to CP actors for structured PSS);
• Prepare for structured psycho-social support activities by carefully reading the PSS SOPs and Curriculum Manuals and preparing all required material and equipment in advance;
• Conduct recreational activities with children and adults such as sports activities, arts and crafts, dance music, drama etc;
• Support community resource persons in the implementation of vocational and skill trainings; 
• Facilitate the participation of all segments of the target population in the planned activities ensuring the inclusion of the most vulnerable groups;
• Ensure that during all activities proper attention is paid to specific emotional and physical needs;
• Monitor beneficiaries’ progress during psychosocial support activities and identify persons with unusual changes in behavior or other signs of psychosocial distress for referral to a Case Management/PSS officer or PSS TL; 
• Carry out all tasks respecting key protection principles including but not limited to: do no harm, non-discrimination, confidentiality and accountability;
• Conduct focus group discussions and other participatory activities to engage community members in protection activities and to better understand their needs and interests;
• Engage community volunteers in planned recreational activities and awareness sessions held at the community center according to a planned activity schedule ensuring they work in pairs and under your supervision
• Maintain daily attendance registers and monthly inventory sheets for each activity conducted. 
• Ensure a safe, friendly and non-discriminatory environment is upheld during all activities;
• Participate in meetings and trainings in and outside the centers and/or in DRC offices when requested;
• Complete additional tasks assigned by Supervisor.

Specific Duties:

(Can be adapted to the particularities of the job location and the requirement of the specific project, but should be approved by the Protection Coordinator before advertising the vacancy).

Person Specification:

Education and professional experience:

• University Degree in a related field (Social Work, Psychology, etc); 
• Two years relevant work experience;
• Strong knowledge of psycho-social programming in the humanitarian context.

Competencies: (Knowledge, Skills & Abilities)

• Computer literacy (Word, Excel) 
• Confidentiality, respect and non-discriminatory attitude
• Strong technical knowledge in protection and psycho-social support
• Ability to train people, facilitate trainings and build participants’ knowledge and skills
• Good interpersonal and communication skills
• Good analytical and reporting skills
• Ability to show empathy
• Ability to work under pressure
• Fluency in Hausa and another language spoken in Borno state/Adamawa state (written and spoken)
• Working knowledge in English (written and spoken)

General Regulations

• The employee shall follow DRC instructions on safety, confidentiality and ethical guidelines, including the Code of Conduct and the Humanitarian Accountability Framework.
• Employee should not engage in any other paid activity during the DRC contract period without prior authorization.
• Employee should not engage in any activity that could harm DRC or the implementation of any project during the DRC contract period.
• Employee should not give interviews to the media or publish project-related photos or other material without prior authorization.
• Employee shall return all borrowed equipment for the project to DRC after the end of the contract period or upon request.

Application Process

Are you interested? Then apply for this position on line: www.drc.dk/about-drc/vacancies/current-vacancies. All applicants must send a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages). Both must be in English.

DRC provides equal opportunity in employment and prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability.

DRC encourages all applicants to apply and does not practice any discrimination in any recruitment process.

However, all applicants shall take into consideration that DRC cannot offer an international work contract to a citizen of the country of assignment (in this specific case, Nigeria)

This job advertisement closes on 29th July 2024.  Applications submitted after this date will not be considered.