Protection Assistant-Psychosocial Support - (7 positions)

Protection Assistant-Psychosocial Support - (7 positions)

Overall purpose of the role:
The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) has enshrined localisation in its Strategy 2025 through its “Go Local” principle, which aims to engage local partners through “principled, equitable and collaborative partnerships in pursuit of a relevant, effective and sustainable response.” DRC’s Kenya programme has articulated broader localisation objectives through its strategic priorities for 2023, which include the aims to strengthen DRC Kenya’s collaboration with local actors, foster synergies around programming and advocacy, and promote the protection of rights and peaceful coexistence in displacement-affected areas.

Under the supervision of the Protection Officer – Psychosocial Support (PSS), the Protection Assistant – Psychosocial Support (PSS) 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. S/he will work and liaise closely with the Protection Officer (LGBTIQ+), Protection Officer GBV Response (Psychosocial Counsellor), Protection Officer – PSN, Protection Assistants – PSN, Protection Assistant GBV Response-(Psychosocial Counsellors (LGBTIQ+), Protection Assistants GBV Response (Psychosocial Counsellors), Protection Officer GBV Prevention, Protection Assistant GBV Prevention, Protection Officer – Protection Monitoring (PM) and Refugee Led Organizations (RLOs) on documentation of program activities as per the donor requirements.

Responsibilities:
R1. Psychosocial support:

• Provide individual psychosocial support sessions to targeted individuals.
• 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 support topics and coping skills including stress management, behavioral activation, problem solving and available mental health services.
• 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 the referral system detailing available services and assistance in DRC’s areas of operation.
• Any other duties as may be assigned by the Protection Team Leader – GBV/PM/PSN and Protection Officer – Psychosocial Support (PSS), relevant to the achievement of protection objectives.
• Participate in the preparation of accurate reports for all Psychosocial support related activities.
• Participate in the design of psychosocial Support projects.

R2. Coordination and Networking:

• Maintain and strengthen existing networks through other service providers at the camp level, to ensure that individuals and groups receive quality services and support both at the agency levels.
• Actively participate in scheduled meetings such as the Case Conferences, safe haven inter-agency meetings and as assigned.
• Strengthen existing referral systems and identify new networks to work with to ensure holistic support to the clients.
• Work in close collaboration with the prevention team to ensure ongoing needs of at-risk groups, women and girls, Persons with specific needs are being met in the prevention related activities.
• In collaboration with other partners, design psychosocial interventions within the refugee community focusing on the psychosocial needs of adults and youth.
• Participate in conducting trainings for partners on relevant organizational development areas and support peer learning between DRC and other partner agencies.

R3. Community Engagement and Outreach:

• Conduct sensitization, dialogue and mediation sessions with the wider population about issues of trauma.
• Facilitate formation of support groups for targeted individuals and other vulnerable groups.
• Identify and strengthen Community structures through engaging community leaders, camp management and other stakeholders to ensure that persons who have undergone adversity receive adequate support at the community level.
• Support the Protection Officer – Psychosocial Support and RLOs in dissemination of relevant information during the Community forums and meetings.

R4. Monitoring and Evaluation:

• Assist in preparing daily, monthly, quarterly and annual reports, progress notes, and case plans on time.
• Use appropriate data collection tools and submit assessments and reports in a timely and accurate manner.
• Work closely with the refugee staff to ensure quality reporting.
• Assist in the designing, planning, implementing and facilitating of external trainings for numerous target groups.
• Ensure Core Humanitarian Standards are mainstreamed in the day to day project implementation.
• Attend relevant training forums relevant to the job.
• Assist with any other related activities as deemed necessary by the supervisor.

R5. Staff Management and Development:

• Provide supervision to the Community Workers – PSS and ensure effective provision of Psycho-social services.
• Conduct continuous performance/evaluation for the Community Workers – PSS working under her/him.
• Engage in quality self-care through supervision, debriefings, and other shared sessions.
• Conduct regular formal and on-job training and mentorship to Community Workers – PSS on areas related to PFA, counselling skills, coping skills and other related topics to enhance professionalism.
• Conduct regular case conference meetings with the Community Workers - PSS both at individual and group levels.
• Organize for external capacity building forums on Mental Health and Psychosocial support.

Experience and technical competencies:

• 2 years’ experience in providing psychosocial counseling.
• Good team player; able to take direction and work collaboratively with others.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including empathic listening.
• Ability to communicate in a highly professional manner with clients, community members and professional partners.
• Able to complete required reporting and documentation within the set deadlines.
• Highly motivated, creative, and compassionate person who is dedicated to ensuring that models of best practice are utilized.
• Able to uphold high ethical and professional standards.
• Able to maintain the highest levels of confidentiality.
• Problem solving and conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to work in a challenging environment.
• Ability to promote the values of equality, non-discrimination, and human rights for all.
• Experience working in a refugee context is highly desirable.

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology.
• Fluent in written and spoken English and Swahili.

DRC’s Core competencies:
All DRC roles require the post-holder to master the below DRC’s 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 DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

Conditions:
Contract duration: 5-months contract with possibility of extension, subject to funding and performance. Salary and conditions will be in accordance with the Danish Refugee Council terms of employment for National staff.
Employment Category: Band I2
Reporting to: Team Leader- Protection
Direct reports: Community Workers - PSS
Availability: March 2025
Location: Kakuma (does not qualify for accommodation)
Key stakeholders:
Internal: Protection, DRC Kakuma Staff.
External: Refugee and Host Community, Local government authorities, Other NGOs, Implementing partners

General
Commitments:
DRC has a Humanitarian Accountability Framework, outlining its global accountability commitments. All staff are required to contribute to the achievement of this framework (http://www.drc.dk/HAF.4265.0.html)

Application Process:
Qualified candidates are invited to submit their applications, which should include a 1-page cover letter clearly stating their motivation, and qualifications and a CV. Applications should include contact details of three professional referees who have supervised the candidate in the last five years. One referee must be the applicant’s most recent manager. Only applications that address the stipulated duties and meet the required qualifications will be considered.

We only accept applications sent via our online-application form on www.drc.ngo under Vacancies. Applications should be sent no later than: 12th November 2024. Interviews will begin in January 2025.

Gender Equality:
DRC is committed to achieving gender parity in staffing at all levels. In light of this, female candidates and those from minority groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

Department: , Nairobi

Location: Kakuma