Child Protection PSS Worker

Child Protection PSS Worker
Duty station: Odessa, Mykolaiv.

Key working relationships:
Position Reports to: CP Senior Officer
Position directly supervises: N/A
Internal collaborations within IRC: Women’s Protection and Empowerment team; Protection team; Economic Recovery and Development team; Health team.
External collaborations to IRC: CP actors, organizations and agencies

The Child Protection PSS Worker will be leading all information provision, outreach, risk mitigation and community mobilization efforts to prevent and respond to violence against children. Core activities include the implementation, organization and facilitation of PSS programs for children, adolescents and parents. Other important tasks will include the dissemination of information, assessment of risks faced by children and their families in the targeted communities and development of response strategies, capacity building of community members. Specifically, the PSS Worker will be responsible for:

Implementation of PSS programs:
Help in setting schedules for weekly activities for children / adolescents / parents
Facilitate social-emotional, recreational, creative and life-skills activities for children/adolescents based on the SHLS schedule
Facilitate guided sessions for parents / caregivers to help improve their stress management skills, positive parenting practices, and strategies to support children and adolescents with psychosocial needs
Engage with children / adolescents in a positive way, using a child-centred approach
Create a safe environment for children to play, socialize and learn according to established schedules and routines
Observe children/adolescents with special needs and ensure they are well integrated into activities
Refer identified and suspected child protection cases to the IRC focal point
Answer questions from community members and parents / caregivers about what activities are taking place
Take attendance, report material needs and support other administrative tasks, as required
Adhere to the Code of Conduct

Community mobilization and outreach:
Through regular community outreach build and maintain relationships with communities, including local leaders, different groups, and stakeholders, youth groups, children etc. in order to foster an environment of support to children and their families and IRC programming
Identify key protection risks and mitigation/reduction measures
Identify gaps in CP response services available to the community and share concerns with the CP Senior Officer / CP Manager within IRC, protection actors and other relevant stakeholders
Safely refer children and families in need of protection services to IRC or other relevant actors, according to the individual needs of the child and available services
Ensure broad dissemination of information on rights, duties, and services available
Identify barriers to accessing available services for vulnerable/specific groups of children and propose measures to reduce/eliminate those barriers
Organize community meetings as needed, for information dissemination or other purposes
Ensure, to the extent possible, that children and adolescents actively participate and help shape IRC’s activities
Monitor for any changes and child protection, GBV and general protection trends in the community
Encourage and foster social cohesion among host and IDP community
Work with protection team to ensure IRC protection (child protection, WPE, Protection and rule of law) is responding to the evolving needs of communities
Support distributions of risk reduction items (inc. PSS kits) and follow-on monitoring
Complete relevant activity tracker and contribute to monthly activity reports, according to guidance provided by the CP Officer, and provide information on a weekly basis to the CP Senior Officer in-line with deadlines
Maintain positive coordination and relationships with partner and other sector staff.

Requirements:
Language: Fluent in Ukrainian, advanced / intermediary skills in English
Bachelor of Arts or Science in Social Work, Human Rights, Social Science, Public Health, Humanities or other related field, desirable
Demonstrated experience with community work, community mobilization and engagement, and working with children affected by conflict
Clear understanding of and interest in the well-being of children and supporting their healing after the experience of violence
Ability to respond to emergencies when needed and support CP team in providing any kind of support and distributing kits when needed
Experience facilitating group activities, trainings and workshops and mentoring others
Excellent communication skills
Demonstrated understanding of and ability to maintain confidentiality and respect for clients/beneficiaries
Positive and professional attitude, including ability to lead and work well in a team setting
Computer literate, including Microsoft Word and Excel