Child Protection Psycho-Social Support Worker

This vacancy is open for Ukrainian internal staff only
JOB OVERVIEW

Under the guidance of a Child Protection (CP) Psychosocial Support Officer (PSS), the Psychosocial Support Worker will be responsible for organizing and hosting PSS events for children and their caregivers. PSS activities include social-emotional learning (SEL) for children (6-11 years), (SAFE) Support for adolescents and their families in emergency situations, and life skills for adolescents (12-17 years), creative and other skills development activities for children (6-17 years), (positive parenting), parenting and stress activities for child and adolescent educators. Events are held in the Safe Space for Recovery and Learning (SHLS), which is a safe, comfortable and secure place where children and adolescents living in conflict and crisis can learn, develop and be protected. A CP PSS employee must have good technical and organizational capabilities to ensure that PSS activities are carried out in accordance with IRC program guidelines and CP minimum standards and principles. The employee will be based in Kharkov and will report to Child Protection Psychosocial Support (PSS) Officer.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

PSS for Children and Caregivers

- Assistance in scheduling weekly activities for children/adolescents/caregivers/caregivers.

- Promote socio-emotional, recreational, creative and life skills development activities for children and adolescents through the SHLS program.

- Facilitate parent/guardian sessions to improve their stress management skills, positive parenting practices and support strategies for children and adolescents with psychosocial needs.

- Interact with children/adolescents in a friendly way using a child-centered approach.

- Create a safe environment for games, communication and education of children in accordance with the established plan and schedule.

- Protect children and young people from the threat of harm.

- Monitor children and adolescents with special needs and ensure their proper integration into activities.

- Refer identified and suspected child protection cases to the IRC coordinator.

- Answer questions from community members and parents/guardians about what activities are being held.

- Support on-demand monitoring and evaluation activities to support quality program implementation.Community engagement and risk reduction for children in care

- Identify barriers to access available services for vulnerable/special groups of children and propose measures to reduce/remove these barriers.

- Identify key protection risks and mitigation/mitigation measures.

- Identification of problems in the provision of child protection services available to the community and informing them of leaders, child protection commissioners/within the IRC, protection actors and other stakeholders.

- Ensure wide dissemination of information on rights, obligations and available services.

- Maintain relationships with communities, including local leaders, various organizations and stakeholders, youth groups, children, etc., in order to create an environment of support for children and their families, as well as IRC programs.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Education: junior specialist primary school teacher;

Higher education: in social work, psychology, education, human rights, social sciences, pedagogy, humanities or other related field

Experience: with children from 1 year.
Previous experience in implementing PSS programs for children and demonstrated understanding of working with children, especially vulnerable children and children at risk of violence, exploitation, abuse or neglect.

- Experience working with the community, community engagement and participation, and working with children affected by conflict.

- A clear understanding and interest in the well-being of children and supporting their recovery after experiencing violence.

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:
1. Positive and professional attitude, including the ability to lead and work well in a team.

2.Ability to maintain documentation and write simple and basic reports on activities.

3.Demonstrated understanding and ability to ensure confidentiality and respect for customers/beneficiaries.

4. High degree of flexibility and high ability to organize work, meet deadlines, maintain self-control, prioritize work under pressure, coordinate several tasks and be attentive to details.

Computer literacy including Microsoft Word and Excel.

Language: Fluent in Ukrainian and Russian, basic English skills.

REPORTING STRUCTURE AND TEAM COLLABORATION

- Actively coordinate with workers in other IRC sectors in the field, including the sectors "Protection and Rule of Law," "Protection and Empowerment of Women," "Health," "Economic Assistance and Development.

- Actively develop and maintain effective working relationships with relevant local actors on the ground, including civil society, non-governmental and governmental structures.

- At the request of its leader, take an active part in the relevant coordination meetings on CP issues at the local and national levels (for example, in the national cluster on CP issues).

IRC employees are eligible to the following benefits:

• Competitive salary
• Purposeful job and development opportunities

• English classes and unlimited online training courses
• Life Insurance
• Medical insurance for staff and family members
• Free psychological support to employees and their family members
• 30 calendar days of annual vacation with flexibility beyond the legally set minimum requirements
• Up to 10 days of paid medical leave