PSS Worker – Mosul / Rabiaa – (NWA/053)

Position           Psycho-Social Support (PSS) Worker
Reports to       Psycho-Social Support (PSS) Team Leader
Supervise        Community Outreach Volunteers
Duty Station    Rabia

All INTERSOS employees are expected to perform their roles and responsibilities according to the INTERSOS charter of values, code of ethics, PSEA and Child Protection policies. The job description is
mandatory for all positions within INTERSOS and shall be signed by the employee within the first week of employment.

Purpose/objective of the position:

The PSS Worker implements structured and unstructured psycho-social support activities and trainings for beneficiary groups with a primary focus on children.

Generic Duties:

• Conduct a variety of structured and unstructured activities (recreational, psycho-social and informal skills training) for beneficiaries, catering to the various psycho-social needs and interests of various beneficiary groups (adults, adolescents, children);
• Prepare structured psycho-social support activities and the required materials and equipment in advance, as guided by the PSS SOPs and Curriculum Manuals;
• Conduct recreational activities with children, adolescents and adults such as sports activities, arts and crafts, dance, music, drama etc.;
• Support community resource persons in the implementation of vocational and skill trainings;
• Facilitate the engagement and participation of beneficiaries in planned activities ensuring the inclusion of the most vulnerable groups;
• Ensure that during all activities proper attention is paid to specific emotional, cognitive and physical needs of children and adolescents;
• Monitor beneficiaries’ progress during psychosocial support activities and identify persons with unusual changes in behavior or other signs of psychosocial distress for referral to a Case Worker or Psychologist;
• Carry out all tasks respecting key protection principles including but not limited to: do no harm, non-discrimination, confidentiality and accountability;
• Engage community outreach volunteers in planned activities held at the community center according to a planned activity schedule;
• Maintain daily attendance registers and monthly inventory sheets for each activity conducted;
• Maintain confidential beneficiary case files, recording incidents requiring urgent interventions relating to protection needs of beneficiaries, as guided by the INTERSOS SOPs;
• Ensure a safe, friendly and non-discriminatory environment is upheld during all activities;
• Participate in meetings and trainings in and outside the centers and/or in INTERSOS offices when requested;
• Supervise and provide debriefing mechanisms for community outreach volunteers;
• Complete additional tasks as assigned by the Supervisor.

Specific Duties:

• Utilize the Adolescent Girls Toolkit for Iraq curriculum, and work with COVs to identify and prioritize out-of-school girls in developing skills and knowledge in topics of life skills, reproductive health and GBV;
• Support and collaborate with the Case Workers and supervisors to develop external referral pathways for identified vulnerable beneficiaries enabling long-term sustainability of support;
• Follow-up and support beneficiaries that have been identified as needing protection and
  psychosocial intervention;
• Coordinate with Case Worker and other relevant staff in providing interventions to vulnerable beneficiaries identified;
• Conduct focus group discussions and other participatory activities to engage community members in protection activities and to better understand their needs and interests;
• Collaborate and conduct parenting program sessions with education monitors and community outreach volunteers aimed at supporting caregivers in strengthening child protective measures, child development and prevention of violence towards children and adolescents;
• Examine gaps in PSS services being provided and
• Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Competencies: (Knowledge, Skills & Abilities)

• A minimum of 1-year experience in a relevant position.
• Previous working experience with camp and out of camp settings with IDPs, returnees, refugees and host- communities.
• Bachelor’s degree in Humanities or social fields.

Computer Skills:

• Data entry and presentation.
• MS Offices (Excel and word).
• PowerPoint is an asset.

Skills:

• Ability in analyzing data and issue timely structured reports;
• Knowledge of the context and of the Education system;
• Knowledge of Child Safeguarding policy and PSEA;
• Ability to work in a multicultural context as a flexible and respectful team;
• High record keeping, information analysis and entry proficiency;
• Pro-activity and independency;
• Flexibility and ability to cope with stressful situations;

Languages :

• Fluency in Arabic and Kurdish, English is an asset.