Protection Assistant (Psycho-Social Support Assistant)

Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a leading protection agency with a mandate to protect, advocate and promote durable solutions for displacement affected populations.

DRC has been operating in Ukraine since 2014, currently DRC employs over 800 staff in Ukraine and will continue significant scale-up in 2024 to implement emergency response in the Protection, Livelihoods, Shelter/NFIs and Humanitarian Disarmament and Peacebuilding (humanitarian mine action) sectors, using direct interventions, support to duty bearers and civil society organizations (CSOs), and partnerships with CSOs. DRC will continue and adapt its durable solutions portfolio to the evolving context.

DRC is currently looking for a Protection Assistant (Psycho-Social Support Assistant) for its activities in Chernihiv.

This position will be supervised by the Protection Officer (PSS) and line managed by the Protection Team Leader.

About the job
Under the supersivion of the Protection Team Leader, the Protection Assistant (PSS) will provide comprehensive psychosocial support services (PSS) to targeted individuals and communities. They 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 Assistant (PSS) will:

• Facilitate PSS group sessions to promote mutual support, resilience, mental well-being, and positive coping strategies.
• Provide individual psychosocial support.
• 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.
• Collaborate with other service providers, such as healthcare professionals and social workers, and make appropriate referrals and follow-up when needed.
• 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
• Participate in capacity-building sessions as needed and required.
• Contribute to developing and continuously updating a service mapping system detailing available services and assistance in DRC’s areas of operation.
• Any other duties that may be assigned by the Protection Manager and Team Leader are relevant to achieving protection objectives.

About you

• Experience or strong interest in working with IDPs and conflict affected populations.
• 1+ year of experience in providing individual psychosocial support.
• Familiarity with social work or case management or counselling etc. is preferred but not required.
• 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.
• 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.
• English language skills is an advantage.
• Ukrainian language skills are 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.

We offer:
Contract length: Open-ended contract after successful completion of a 3-month probationary period. Extendable depending on performance and funding.
Level: I
Designation of Duty Station: Chernihiv
Start date: As soon as possible
Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for national staff.

Application process
All applicants must upload a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages) in English
Applications sent by email will not be considered.
Closing date for applications: 29.01.2025.*

*We reserve the right to conduct further interviews before the deadline for submission of applications.

Department:

Location: Chernihiv