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) Senior CP 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 childrens and adolescents caregivers. Activities are implemented in IRCs 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 IRCs program guidelines and according to CP minimum standards and principles. The CP PSS Worker will be based in Mykolaiv and report to the Senior CP Officer.

Major 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 Senior CP 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 IRCs 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 & 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 Senior CP Officer

Coordination & Representation:

Actively coordinate with staff from other IRC sectors in the field, including Protection & Rule of Law, Womens Protection and Empowerment, Health.

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

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Position reports to: Senior Child Protection Officer

Direct reports: N/A

Other internal contacts: Protection & Rule of Law (ProL), WPE, MEAL, Health, Finance, Supply, Grants, HR and other relevant departments

Requirements

The Child Protection PSS Worker will need to meet the requirements below:

Degree desired in Social Work, Psychology, Education, Human Rights, Social Science, Humanities or other related field

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

Experience with community work, community mobilization and engagement, and working with children affected by conflict

Clear understanding of and interest in the well-being of children and supporting their healing after the experience of violence

Positive and professional attitude, including ability to lead and work well in a team setting

Ability to keep records and write simple and basic reports of activities

Comfortable speaking about sensitive topics in an honest, professional, and thoughtful manner

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

High degree of flexibility and strong ability to organize work, meet deadlines, maintain composure, prioritize work under pressure, coordinate multiple tasks and maintain attention to detail

Computer literate, including Microsoft Word and Excel

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

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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