The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

JOB OVERVIEW

Under the supervision of the Child Protection (CP) Psychosocial Support Officer (PSS) Officer, the CP Psychosocial Support (PSS) Worker will be responsible for leading and implementing PSS activities for children and their caregivers. CP PSS activities include social-emotional learning (SEL) activities for children (6 – 11 years), SEL and life skills activities for adolescents (12 – 17 years), arts-based and other skills-building activities for children (2 – 17 years), as well as parenting and stress management activities for children’s and adolescents’ caregivers. Activities are implemented in IRC’s Safe Healing and Learning Spaces (SHLS), which are secure, caring and predictable places where children and adolescents living in conflict and crisis settings can learn, develop and be protected. The CP PSS Worker will have good technical and organisational capabilities to ensure that PSS activities are implemented in line with IRC’s program guidelines and according to CP minimum standards and principles. The CP PSS Worker will be based in Dnipro and report to the CP Sn Officer.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

PSS for children and caregivers

• Help in setting schedules for weekly activities for children / adolescents / caregivers
• Facilitate social-emotional, recreational, creative and life-skills activities for children and adolescents based on the SHLS schedule
• Facilitate 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
• Ensure that children and youth are safe from harm
• Observe children and 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
• Support M&E activities as requested to support quality programming

Community Engagement & CP Risk Reduction

• Identify barriers to accessing available services for vulnerable/specific groups of children and propose measures to reduce/eliminate those barriers
• Identify key protection risks and mitigation/reduction measures
• Identify gaps in CP response services available to the community and share concerns with the CP PSS Officer / within IRC, protection actors and other relevant stakeholders
• Ensure broad dissemination of information on rights, duties, and services available
• Maintain relationships with communities, including local leaders, different groups, and stakeholders, youth groups, children etc. to foster an environment of support to children and their families and IRC programming
• As needed, organize community meetings for information dissemination or other purposes
• Ensure, to the extent possible, that children and adolescents actively participate and help shape IRC’s activities
• Encourage and foster social cohesion among host and IDP community
• Support distributions of risk reduction items (inc. PSS kits) and follow-up monitoring

Administration and reporting:

• Take attendance, report material needs and support other administrative tasks as required
• Report supply/material needs to the supervisor
• Complete relevant activity tracker and contribute to activity reports, according to guidance provided by the CP PSS Officer
• Provide information on a weekly basis to the CP Officer

Coordination and representation:

• Actively coordinate with staff from other IRC sectors in the field, including Protection & Rule of Law, Women’s Protection and Empowerment, Health, Economic Relief and Development
• Actively develop and maintain effective working relationships with relevant local actors in the field, including community, non-governmental and governmental actors
• Upon request by his/her supervisor, actively take part in relevant CP coordination meetings at the local and national level (e.g. national CP Cluster)

 Other: 

• Attend trainings organised by the IRC
• Stay informed about the child protection situation and developments within the communities and surrounding areas
• Consistently and proactively monitor the safety and security of field teams, promptly reporting concerns or incidents to IRC management and liaising with other external parties as required to maintain/enhance the security environment
• Promote and adhere to the principles, objectives and code of conduct of the IRC
• Act both professionally and personally in a manner that brings credit to the IRC and does not compromise its humanitarian mission
• If necessary, provide translation and interpretation at meetings, training sessions and/or documents for a better understanding of all staff
• Conduct any other task requested by his/her supervisor to enable and develop IRC programs

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Education: Higher education in social work, psychology, education, human rights, social sciences, humanities, or another related field is desirable.

Experience: Minimum 1 year of experience in implementing child protection programs, preferably in social work, case management, or psychosocial programs for children, in humanitarian or development organizations.

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

• Demonstrated understanding of working with children, especially vulnerable children and children who have been or are at risk of harm.

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

• Ability to maintain documentation and write simple and basic activity 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 self-control, prioritize work under pressure, coordinate multiple tasks, and maintain attention to detail.

• Computer literacy, including Microsoft Word and Excel.

Language: Fluency in Ukrainian and Russian, basic English skills are an advantage.

PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS

All International Rescue Committee workers must adhere to the core values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. Our Standards are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Safeguarding, Conflicts of Interest, Fiscal Integrity, and Reporting Wrongdoing and Protection from Retaliation. IRC is committed to take all necessary preventive measures and create an environment where people feel safe, and to take all necessary actions and corrective measures when harm occurs. IRC builds teams of professionals who promote critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity to deliver the best possible services to our clients.

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