The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.
JOB OVERVIEW
The PSS Facilitator implements structured activities aimed at addressing the psychosocial needs of women and girls affected by GBV or at risk of GBV, particularly those at heightened risk of vulnerability, social isolation, or exposure to gender-based violence. The role is fundamentally oriented toward promoting psychosocial wellbeing, strengthening social connections, and fostering empowerment and agency among women and girls. Activities are delivered both within Women and Girls Safe Spaces (WGSS) and through community-based outreach and mobile modalities, ensuring accessibility of services for diverse population groups.
Within the WGSS approach, PSS activities include both structured and non-structured interventions, which together contribute to improved emotional wellbeing, peer support, social cohesion, and increased sense of safety and belonging.
Within this role, the Facilitator delivers both structured and non-structured psychosocial support activities, as well as information and awareness-raising interventions aimed at prevention, mitigation, and response to psychosocial challenges. This includes supporting women and girls affected by GBV or at risk of GBV in developing coping strategies, emotional self-regulation, strengthening social connections, and enhancing their sense of safety and agency. These activities are designed not only to respond to psychosocial needs, but to actively build resilience, reinforce social networks, and support women and girls in regaining a sense of control, confidence, and participation in their communities.
The Facilitator possesses the knowledge and practical skills required to design and deliver targeted non-clinical psychosocial support activities using participatory and creative approaches. A strong emphasis is placed on creating enabling environments where women and girls affected by GBV or at risk of GBV can connect, share experiences, support one another, and exercise their voice and agency.
All activities are implemented in line with organizational standards and interagency MHPSS guidelines, ensuring strict adherence to the principles of safety, confidentiality, non-discrimination, and a survivor-centered approach. The Facilitator maintains clear boundaries of the role, does not provide specialized therapeutic services, and ensures timely and safe referrals to appropriate services when specialized support is required.
The role contributes to WGSS as a platform for social connection, mutual support, and empowerment, where women and girls can build relationships, access information, and strengthen their capacity to cope
with challenges in a safe and inclusive environment. Through this work, the Facilitator supports the creation of a space that enhances dignity, trust, resilience, and a sense of belonging.
The PSS Facilitator contributes to the achievement of key program results related to participation in psychosocial support activities, including:
planning and facilitating regular, structured and non-structured PSS activities that respond to the needs and preferences of women and girls affected by GBV or at risk of GBV;
ensuring that participation in activities contributes to improved psychosocial wellbeing, strengthened peer support networks, and increased confidence and agency among participants;
promoting inclusive access and participation, including outreach to underrepresented groups (e.g. adolescent girls, women with disabilities, socially isolated women);
maintaining accurate attendance records using WGSS tools and templates;
ensuring proper data disaggregation (age, population group, disability status);
contributing to routine data collection and reporting processes;
using participation data and feedback to improve activities and to better understand changes in wellbeing, social connectedness, and empowerment outcomes.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Facilitate structured and non-structured PSS activities, including facilitator-led group sessions and informal supportive activities, ensuring that all interventions are culturally appropriate, age-sensitive, and responsive to the needs of women and girls affected by GBV or at risk of GBV.
Ensure that all activities are purposefully designed, with clear psychosocial objectives linked to emotional wellbeing, social connection, and coping capacity (without entering therapeutic scope);
Use structured and non-structured creative and expressive approaches (e.g. guided drawing, storytelling, group reflection, participatory exercises) as tools to support emotional expression and stress relief;
Facilitate safe and inclusive group dynamics that encourage trust-building, relationship development, and collective support;
Support the meaningful participation and leadership of women and girls affected by GBV or at risk of GBV, including encouraging peer-led activities and engagement in shaping WGSS programming;
Monitor participants’ wellbeing and observe positive and negative changes in emotional state, social engagement, and coping capacity according to referral SOPs;
Coordinate closely with case management officer to ensure effective referral pathways and follow-up support and participate in technical supervision if needed;
Maintain accurate attendance tracking and activity documentation using WGSS monitoring tools;
Contribute to MEAL processes, including capturing qualitative changes related to wellbeing, social cohesion, and empowerment;
Regularly adapt session content and facilitation approaches based on participant feedback, observed needs, and contextual changes;
Support outreach activities aimed at increasing access to WPE services, particularly for hard-to-reach or underserved groups;
Contribute to maintaining a safe, welcoming, and confidential environment that promotes trust, dignity, and empowerment;
Establish or promote the formal feedback mechanism – aligned with organizational best practice – to capture, monitor, respond to and act on feedback and complaints from communities.
JOB REQUIREMENTS
Education: University degree in a relevant field (e.g. psychology, social work, education, art etc.).
Experience:
Minimum 3 years of relevant work experience in psychology, social work, counseling, etc.
Minimum 1 year of relevant experience working with INGOs, NGOs and/or local authorities.
Experience in group facilitation with art therapy or creative approaches is a strong asset.
Experience working with survivors of gender-based violence.
Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:
Basic level of computer literacy
Excellent facilitation and communication skills;
Ability to work with vulnerable populations.
Creativity and flexibility in session delivery.
Understanding of trauma-informed approaches.
Ability to work both independently and in a team.
Knowledge of Ukrainian and Russian languages, English will be an advantage.
REPORTING STRUCTURE AND TEAM COLLABORATION
Position Reports to: Protection Senior Officer – Case Management and Community-Based Protection (Women’s Protection and Empowerment).
Internal collaborations within IRC: Women's Protection and Empowerment team; Child Protection team, Protection and Rule of Law team, Health team, Economic Recovery and Development team.
External collaborations to IRC: WPE actors, organizations and agencies.
WORK ENVIRONMENT AND OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION
• This role requires part-time work in the office or hybrid type of work is possible after probation period
• Travel to other locations is needed up to 30% of time
• Exempt from overtime
• Work in the matrix organization
• Fast pace of working, multitasking and stressful work
• The organization cares about staff and provides flexible working options (start early-finish early, start later-finish later, remote work) IRC employees are eligible to the following benefits:
• Competitive salary
• Purposeful job and development opportunities
• English classes and unlimited online training courses
• Life Insurance
• Medical insurance for staff and family members
• Free psychological support to employees and their family members
• 30 calendar days of annual vacation with flexibility beyond the legally set minimum requirements
• Up to 10 days of paid medical leave
PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS
All International Rescue Committee workers must adhere to the core values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. Our Standards are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Safeguarding, Conflicts of Interest, Fiscal Integrity, and Reporting Wrongdoing and Protection from Retaliation. IRC is committed to take all necessary preventive measures and create an environment where people feel safe, and to take all necessary actions and corrective measures when harm occurs. IRC builds teams of professionals who promote critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity to deliver the best possible services to our clients.
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