Psychosocial Support (PSS) Officer at Danish Refugee Council (DRC)

Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a Danish international non-governmental organisation, which promotes and supports durable solutions to the problems faced by refugees and internally displaced people all over the world. DRC is present in more than 30 conflict territories around the world assisting displaced people with shelter, food, income-generating activities, and a wide range of other assistance. It is of utmost importance for DRC to work in compliance with the DRC Accountability and Quality Management system and national legislation. Smooth, reliable and effective operational systems are preconditions for DRC to maintain its position as a trustworthy and reliable partner for our donors and an accountable organisation towards our beneficiaries.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Psychosocial Support (PSS) Officer

Location: Monguno, Borno
Reporting and Supervised by: PSS Team Leader
Employment Period: 12 months with the possibility of extension.

Background

• Danish Refugee Council (DRC), and its safety unit, have 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

• All DRC employees are expected to perform their roles and responsibilities according to the DRC charter of values, code of ethics, PSEA and Child Protection policies.
• The job description is mandatory for all positions within DRC and shall be signed by the employee within the first week of employment.

Purpose / Objective of the Position

• The PSS Officer is responsible for the technical supervision and coordination of all MHPSS activities under the supervision of the PSS TL.
• S/he will ensure that supervision and coaching and any capacity building at LGA level of operations, needs of LGA field protection staff are timely addressed and that the protection services and activities meet quality standards in the sector.

Responsibilities
Generic Duties:

• Provide technical guidance and support to MHPSS staff (PSS workers/outreach volunteers), ensuring quality in the implementation of activities and services as well as the adherence to protection standards;
• Support the field teams with the development of technically sound (monthly & weekly) work plans, consistent with the goals and objectives of the project as per the requirements of the PSS TL;
• Maintain regular and positive collaboration with colleagues to enhance synergies and ensure that intervention between the different project components is harmonized and that protection is mainstreamed into the other sectors of intervention; 
• Identify capacity building needs of MHPSS staff by assessing their knowledge and skills and flag it to the PSS TL and ensure continuous on-the-job coaching and mentoring using necessary tools
• Support the PSS TL in updating protection tools and training material in order to meet the project’s requirement ensuring it is adapted to the LGA of operations’ context
• Contribute to the development of quality internal/external reports and project proposals, providing relevant protection data, insights, and analysis.
• Ensure that DRC data protection policies are shared, understood, and upheld by all staff in compliance with the highest standards of privacy and confidentiality.
• Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with relevant partners and other project stakeholders working in the project areas;
• Contribute to the maintenance of an up-to-date service mapping of the service providers operating in the area and take proactive steps to remain informed about the available services;
• Other duties as assigned by the PSS Team Leader.

Specific Duties:

• Manage and supervise a team of XX PSS assistants and outreach volunteers at the LGA level and report to the overall PSS TL ;
• Use coaching and technical techniques and tools to the field staff to ensure quality and timely implementation of PSS activities including (i) outreach activities to identify PWSN, children, adolescents and caregivers in need; (ii) PSS activities for children/youth and adults following the cluster-adopted PSS curricula; (iii) Informal Skills Training with boys and girls, men and women inside and outside the community centres; (iv) Awareness raising sessions targeting children, adolescents, adults and PWSN; (v) provision of lay counselling;
• Monitor and evaluate the impact of PSS activities/toolkits on beneficiaries;
• Ensure that vulnerable/at-risk individuals are promptly and safely identified and referred. Maintain and update a database of internal and external referrals;
• Monitor that progress on individual cases is documented by the PSS assistants, maintaining strict protocols for confidentiality and consent and respecting all data protection policies;
• In collaboration with the PSS PTL, plan and facilitate internal training to PSS assistants and outreach volunteers on the provision of PFA and referrals and provide training on PSS-related issues for internal staff;
• Provide lay counselling and supervise structured PSS activities in collaboration with 1 PSS assistant
• Plan and facilitate the induction process for all newly recruited PSS assistants on protection principles, safe identification and referral procedures, PSS curricula, MHPSS SOPs and other relevant topics in collaboration with the PSS TL
• Ensure compliance with the financial plan as oriented by PSS TL/Ensure to inform PSS PTL for needed items in each LGA etc to ensure smooth procurement etc 
• Coordinate with field staff and with the PSS TL for materials and services needed to implement activities in the field. 

Person Specification
Education and professional experience:

• University Degree in Social Sciences or related field (Psychology preferred)
• Minimum of three years relevant professional experience in the protection sector (of which at least one year in a supervisory role)
• Previous working experience with IDPs, refugees and returnees;
• Strong knowledge of international protection and psycho-social programming in the humanitarian context.

Competencies: (Knowledge, Skills & Abilities):

• Computer literacy (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) 
• Good leadership skills
• Strong technical knowledge in protection and psycho-social support
• High confidentiality, respect and non-discriminatory attitude
• Good interpersonal and communication skills
• Strong analytical and report-writing skills
• Strong training and facilitation skills
• Strong planning and organizational skills
• Ability to work under pressure and as part of a team
• Fluency in Hausa and any other language spoken in Borno/Adamawa (written and spoken)
• Proficiency 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.
• Employees should not engage in any other paid activity during the DRC contract period without prior authorization.
• Employees should not engage in any activity that could harm DRC or the implementation of any project during the DRC contract period.
• Employees 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 Closing Date
29th July, 2024.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Important Information

• 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)
• Applications submitted after the closing date stated above will not be considered.