Psycho-social support Officer

JOB DESCRIPTION
Job title: Psycho-social support Officer
Employment category: H
Reporting to: Child Protection Team leader    
Unit/department: Protection
Location: Kibondo/Kasulu

Overall purpose of the role: 
The Psycho-social support officer works as part of DRC’s team under the direct supervision of the Protection team leader and guidance support of the Protection coordinator. The role is based in Kasulu/Kibondo and shall conduct regular field visits to the host villages near by Nyarugusu and Nduta refugee camp. 
Psycho-social support officer work closely with local implementing partners, Education staff, and members of the child protection sector working Group, UNHCR and other UN agencies, to ensure that the programme goals are achieved. Specific areas of concern are the provision of Child friendly space activities in refugee camps. S/he will ensure that DRC vision and overall program goals related to the sector are met. S/he is responsible for providing technical support to staff during the PSS implementation. The officer will actively participate in child protection-related activities and meetings in designated refugee camps.

Program Responsibilities 
•    Support the CP program to develop, implement and monitor quarterly, monthly and weekly activity plans to achieve expected results. This includes planning of activities, budgets and procurement.
•    Provide daily supervision and support to the CFS in the Camps and ensure the PSS activities are implemented in a quality and timely manner and ensure that the standards at the CFS are met.
•    Plan, organize, coordinate and monitor child protection and PSS outreach activities at community level. Activities may include meetings and discussions with members of the community, parent meetings.  
•    Ensure proper documentation, registration and attendance of children and young people at the CFS is in place. 
•     Facilitate contacts with community-based child protection structures in the camp.
•    Ensure the community based protection mechanism interventions and activities are implemented, supported and documented.
•    Plan, organize, coordinate and monitor community events to disseminate messages about child protection in the camps.
•    Closely working together with parents to ensure a holistic approach to child protection, supporting regular parent’s meetings.
•    Immediately lead on and regularly update a map existing service to which children and families can be referred to.
•    Supervise and coach social workers on the identification, assessment, documentation, referral (to relevant services) and follow-up of at-risk children and families 
•    Ensure that social workers respect confidentiality and follow ethical guidelines.
•    Review the follow up of cases, and ensure all cases are managed within acceptable timelines.

Program management 
•    Provide supervision and monitoring of the CFS Animators, guards and Cleaners and ensure proper performance Management.
•    In collaboration with the project monitoring and evaluation to ensure the documentation of interventions DRC in community mobilization (reports, weekly reports, monthly reports, interim reports, annual reports).
•    Work in close collaboration with the child protection team to strengthen role of child protection networks/committees, Animators, teachers, caregivers in case management.
•    Support and strengthen CBCP and child-led groups / clubs, animators.
•    Report any violation of the child safe guarding policy of DRC 
•    Represent DRC and the program with relevant government and coordinating agencies on programme, secure their support and follow up with them on progress.
•    Coordinate with other agencies offering case management services to children on referral and transfer of cases.
•    Ensure constant and transparent communication and collaboration with relevant stakeholders, including community members, community leaders and families
•    Share information on field-level successes and challenges with the Child Protection team and other agencies as appropriate.

Logistics Duties 
•    Take care of equipment’s and supplies for the job 
•    Ensure working equipment’s are in good condition and replenish/repairs when out of order 
•    Reports immediately any security incidence/issue detected in the DRC premises 

Experience and technical competencies: 
•    At least 2 years of professional experience in PSS, Protection, Social work in humanitarian or development programming.
•    Demonstrates good understanding of mental health and psychosocial support practices in similar position Experience in designing, managing, monitoring and evaluating child protection programs in emergency, transition and development contexts 
•    Ability to identify the main gaps in child protection in the given context to inform a holistic response for children. 
•    Good knowledge of and experience in using established inter-agency standards and guidelines in child protection, such as the Inter-Agency Guidelines on Separated and Unaccompanied Children, Minimum Standards on Child Protection 
•    Self-awareness and proven ability to operate successfully in different cultural environments 
•    Good team leader and team member skills, including the ability to be part of and organize, support, manage and develop a small team. 
•    Ability to manage stress, be flexible and accommodating in difficult and frustrating working circumstance. 

Education: 
•    Bachelor’s degree Social Sciences or related technical field in well recognized college or university (preferred)    

Languages:
•    Good proficiency in written and spoken English, and Swahili. Kirundi an added advantage    

Key stakeholders: 
•    DRC programme staff (protection and others)
•    Refugees and donors
•    Local Government and host Community representatives.
•    Referral partners

Core competencies       Basic    Advanced    Expert
Striving for excellence    ☐            ☒               ☐

Collaborating                  ☐            ☒               ☐

Taking the lead               ☐            ☒               ☐

Communicating              ☐            ☒               ☐

Demonstrating integrity  ☐            ☒               ☐

•Basic: I master the essentials, but may at times need help from others
•Advanced: I can work independently at full professional level.
•Expert: I am the go-to person when others need help.