Psychosocial support specialist at the Department of Child Protection in International rescue committee

Organization Description:

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the worst humanitarian crises around the world and helps people whose lives and livelihoods have been destroyed by conflict and disaster to survive, recover and regain control of their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC works with people who have been forced to flee war, conflict and disaster, with the host communities that support them, and with those who remain in their homes and communities. Working today in more than 40 countries around the world and 22 US cities, we improve living conditions in the areas of health, safety, economic well-being, education and energy. Given the inequalities faced by women and girls, the IRC aims to reduce gender inequality and ensure the social inclusion of all vulnerable groups in the overall processes and actions that affect their lives. In Ukraine, the IRC launched emergency programs in April 2022 in the areas of child protection (CP), protection and rule of law (ProL), women's protection and empowerment (WPE) (i.e. gender-based violence), health, monetary and basic needs.

Job description:

Under the guidance of a senior specialist in child protection (CP), a specialist in questions Psychosocial Support (PSS) will be responsible for overseeing and coordinating PSS activities offered to children and their carers, implemented by the child protection team in Odesa. PSS activities include social-emotional learning (SEL) for children (ages 6-11), SEL and life skills for adolescents (ages 12-17), arts and other skills development activities for children (ages 2-17), and parenting and stress management activities for caregivers of children and adolescents. Activities are implemented in the Safe Recovery and Learning Space (SHLS), which is a safe, caring and predictable place where children and adolescents living in conflict and crisis can learn, develop and be protected. The professional must possess good technical and organizational skills to ensure the implementation of PSS activities in accordance with IRC program directives and CP minimum standards and principles. The PSS specialist will be based in Odesa and will manage a group of PSS employees in Odesa.

Main responsibilities:

Technical quality

- Based on the work plans of the care department, monitor and coordinate the implementation of PSS activities for children and their carers in the Recovery and Learning Safe Space (SHLS).

- Carry out weekly visits to support and supervise each SHLS. 

- Ensure regular interaction between IRC and community members. 

- Ensure accurate accounting and reporting of children, adolescents, carers and community facilitators.

- Monitor the referral system and provide support to PSS staff regarding the proper transreferral and registration of potential child protection cases to IRC social workers.

- Receive referrals from the Child Protection Case Managers team for PSS activities and ensure proper integration of children/adolescents/carers into IRC activities in the field PSS.

- Facilitate and ensure close collaboration and coordination between teams from CP PSS, MHPSS and of IRC case management.

- Review comments received in suggestion boxes and other feedback mechanisms with PSS staff. 

- Actively assist in the training and recruitment of community facilitators in coordination with community representatives, social workers and the senior specialist of the child protection department.

- Ensure regular communication with the senior specialist of the protection department children to communicate achievements and difficulties.

- Ensure respect for children's participation in all activities, including regular and proactive consultation with them to maintain quality and relevance of relevant interventions.

- Support monitoring and activities (M&O) aimed at supporting the quality implementation of programs.

Control and development of personnel

- Direct supervision of 3 child protection staff members.

- Maintain professional relationships with team members, promote team spirit and provide oversight and guidance to enable staff members to successfully carry out their duties responsibilities.

- Ensure timely completion and submission of monthly time sheets, probationary reports and annual performance evaluations.

- Provide support and ongoing opportunities for capacity development PSS employees in the field of technical and management skills.

- Ensure regular communication with the head of the child protection department to integrate relevant technical criteria into the development of the program with the aim making suggestions for program adjustments based on achievements and challenges faced by employees.

 Administration and Reporting:

- Lead all planning and reporting activities, related to PSS activities.

- Timely prepare and submit weekly work plans and reports by agreed deadlines.

- Contribute to the preparation of monthly reports.

- Complete all relevant tools for activities carried out (e.g. indicator trackers for PSS activities).

- Maintain and archive all important documents and correspondence related to PSS activities.< /p>

- Support the implementation and compliance of work plans, expenditure plans and M&O plans.

- As requested, facilitate the collection of monitoring and evaluation data to support the development of defense project proposals children.

Other:

- To be informed about the situation with the protection of children and developments in communities and nearby territories.

- Consistently and proactively monitor the safety and security of field teams, promptly reporting issues or incidents to IRC management and liaising with other external parties as necessary to maintain/enhance safe environment.

- Promotesyou and adhere to the principles, values ​​and code of conduct of the IRC.

- Act both professionally and personally in a way that benefits the IRC and does not jeopardize its humanitarian mission.

p>- If necessary, provide written and oral translation at meetings, trainings and/or documentation for a better understanding of all employees.

Requirements:

A Child Protection Specialist at PSS must meet the following requirements:

- Higher education in the field of social work, psychology, education, human rights, social sciences, humanities or other related field is preferred.

- Minimum of 2 years of experience in implementing protection programs children, preferably in the field of social work, psychosocial programs for children or education, in humanitarian or development organizations.

- Previous experience implementing PSS programs for children and a demonstrated understanding of working with children, particularly vulnerable children and children at risk of violence , exploitation, abuse or neglect.

- Positive and professional attitude, including the ability to lead and work well in a team.

- Ability to keep records and write simple and basic performance reports.

- Ability to speak honestly, professionally and thoughtfully on sensitive topics.

- Demonstrated understanding and ability to maintain confidentiality and respect for clients/beneficiaries

- High degree of flexibility and strong ability to organize work, meet deadlines, maintain poise, prioritize under pressure, coordinate multiple tasks and maintain focus on details.

- Computer literacy, including Microsoft Word and Excel.

- Language: Fluent in Ukrainian and Russian, advanced English skills.

This position will be based in Odesa with frequent travel to field locations.

Standards of Professional Conduct

IRC and IRC employees must adhere to the values ​​and principles outlined in the "IRC Way - Code of Conduct". It is integrity, service and accountability. In line with these values, the IRC develops and implements policies to protect beneficiaries from exploitation and abuse, child protection, freedom from harassment in the workplace, financial integrity, anti-retaliation, anti-trafficking and others.

Gender equality and equal opportunities

We strive to reduce the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer generous benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce, including parental leave, gender-sensitive safety protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances. We welcome and strongly encourage qualified female professionals to apply.

IRC is an equal opportunity employer. The IRC considers all applicants based on their merit, without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, orany other characteristic protected by applicable law.