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 Mykolaiv.

This position will be line managed by the Protection Team Leader (Psycho-Social Support Team Leader).

About the job
Under the supersivion of the Protection Officer (Psycho-Social Support Officer) and lime management of Protection Team Leader (Psycho-Social Support Team Leader), the Protection Assistant (Psycho-Social Support) will provide comprehensive psychosocial support services to targeted individuals and communities. S/he 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:

• Facilitate PSS group sessions to promote mutual support, socialization and positive coping strategies.
• 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 in developing and continuously updating a service mapping system detailing available services and assistance in DRC’s areas of operation.
• Any other duties as may be assigned by the Protection Team Leader (Psycho-Social Support Team Leader) or Protection Manager, relevant to the achievement of protection objectives.

About you
To be successful in the role of Protection Assistant (Psycho-Social Support Assistant), we expect you to have at least 1 year of working experience in any relevant field, experience in NGO will be an advantage. Moreover, we also expect the following:

• Degree in psychology or social work will be an advantage.
• Familiarity with social work, 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.
• Good English language skills preferred.
• Ukrainian language skills required.

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 3 month probation period.

Level: I – Non-Management

Designation of Duty Station: Mykolaiv - Full time based

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 are open until 20th January 2025

Applications sent by email will not be considered.

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

Department:

Location: Mykolaiv