WHO ARE WE?
The Danish Refugee Council assists refugees and internally displaced persons across the globe: we provide emergency aid, fight for their rights, and strengthen their opportunity for a brighter future. We work in conflict-affected areas, along the displacement routes, and in the countries where refugees settle. In cooperation with local communities, we strive for responsible and sustainable solutions. We work toward successful integration and โ whenever possible โ for the fulfillment of the wish to return home. The Danish Refugee Council was founded in Denmark in 1956, and has since grown to become an international humanitarian organization with more than 7,000 staff and 8,000 volunteers. Our vision is a dignified life for all displaced. All of our efforts are based on our value compass: humanity, respect, independence and neutrality, participation, and honesty and transparency.
ABOUT THE JOB
Under the technical supervision of the Protection Coordinator (PC), the Psychosocial Support (PSS) Protection Specialist contributes to the development and implementation of DRCโs sector strategy in Afghanistan and is responsible for supporting the delivery of high-quality protection services across DRC Afghanistanโs areas of operation, in close collaboration with field management and Protection Managers and Team Leaders. To this aim, the PSS Specialist will support the harmonization and rollout of tools and guidelines, analysis, and reporting; implementation of DRC Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), particularly for psychological support; support advocacy initiatives; strengthen referral pathway mechanisms; and ensure standard donor and data reporting methods. The PSS Specialist is expected to actively participate in MHPSS WG as well as development of further MHPSS related technical documents, including different scopes of the implementation from planning to information management, and delivery capacity-building.
Responsibilities:
General Programming & Technical Support
Stay abreast of developments that have an impact on the protection environment in Afghanistan and provide ongoing analysis on key issues on a regular basis. In collaboration with Protection Coordinator, develop program tools, SOPs, and guidance to support and reinforce the quality of programs and ensure quality protection deliverables. Lead the coaching, mentorship, and training required for implementation. Ensure close follow-up with protection field teams to ensure SOPs and guidance tools are adhered to. Support the Protection Coordinator with the development and rollout of the country-wide protection analysis and strategy. Undertake field visits to monitor the quality of implementation and provide technical advice and customized and need-based capacity building to protection staff, with specific regard to PSS. Conduct regular quality checks and support the Protection Coordinator improving the overall quality of protection programming by identifying gaps and enacting solutions. Identify priorities for PSS activities and strategies across the Area Offices. In coordination with the Protection Managers or Team Leaders, assess training and development needs within the Protection team, develop a capacity-building plan, and implement the plan with support from the Protection Coordinator. This includes the development of related materials and delivery of training. Support the development of PSS toolkits (i.e. forms, data tracker tools, assessment and evaluation tools) with appropriate guidelines for the provision of scalable and non-scalable interventions for women and girls, men and boys, elderly community members and persons with special needs. Provide technical guidance and support for all PSS activities, including all layers of service provision from low intensified interventions to Focused non-specialized interventions in accordance with global standards. Through regular visits to area of responsibilities, ensure coherence and harmony of PSS services (including individual and group psychosocial support activities, information sharing and awareness raising sessions and outreach activities) across the mission. Closely work with the Protection Coordinator to ensure that the PSS activities are designed in consideration of the age, gender and disability sensitivity and to identify specific criteria for enhancing the inclusiveness of the PSS implementation. Support integration of Protection interventions with other core sectors, ensuring close collaboration between field teams. Provide support to the protection field teams on how to strengthen referral pathways. Support in updating and developing guidance on how to strengthen internal referrals. Support teams with updating service mapping and referral pathways.Protection Information Management
Support in the broader information management needs of the protection program through ensuring data/information consistency and integrity. Conduct analysis of protection issues and trends at the national level, and compile high-quality protection monitoring reporting at country level. Support in design standard indicators and tools to monitor and measure the quality, impact and effectiveness of MHPSS programming and ensure piloting and revision of those tools are in place of practice. Support the Protection teams with the establishment and regular update of the MEAL plan, including (a) ensuring appropriate indicator and quality tracking (both quantitative and qualitative) and (b) working closely with MEAL to put in place accountability.Coordination and representation
Active participation in, contribution to, and representation of DRC in MHPSS WG and different Area of Responsibilities as well as with other relevant bodies, including working groups and other meetings related to protection. Contribute to providing key inputs to MHPSS WG on DRC PSS activities and other feedback they may require. Active participation in internal coordination meetings and support in disseminating key trends/ findings on protection risks to relevant DRC sectors. Support DRC sub-national Protection Cluster Co-coordinators with guidance, and information sharing as required. Support the Protection Coordinator in coordination with external stakeholders, including partner organizations and local authorities.Project/Programme Development
Support the Protection teams with the preparation of high-quality and timely narrative reporting for donors, and in reviewing and inputting into concept notes and proposals. Participate in, and support with, project review meetings, Grant Kick Off and Close Out meetings, and other relevant project management meetings from a technical protection perspective. Support preparation of weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual reports to relevant authorities as per need.Other
ABOUT YOU
To be successful in this role you must have:
Experience and technical competencies:
Excellent knowledge of Human Rights, International Humanitarian Law, and experience working directly with displacement-affected communities. Documented skills in project planning and design, drafting, and technical writing. Experience in producing high-quality technical material (training material, programme tools, guidelines). Experience working with national partners, local/government authorities, and UN organizations. Excellent skills in MS Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint). Willingness to travel to the field and within Kabul on a regular basis. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.Education/qualifications:
Minimum bachelorโs degree in Social Psychology or Psychological Counseling. Relevant professional experience of at least 4 years in implementing or overseeing PSS activities. Trained on and able to provide supervision on scalable MHPSS interventions (including PFA, PM+ individual or group, Self Help +, Interpersonal Group Therapy, Thinking Healthy) and referral.Languages:
Good knowledge of English Fluency in Pashto and/or DariWe Offer:
Salary and conditions will be in accordance with DRC salary scaleApplication process:
Application process: Interested? Then apply for this position by clicking on the below link. All applicants must send a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages). Both must be in the same language.
Note. only applications ( CV) will not be considered.