Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a leading protection agency with a mandate to protect, advocate and promote durable solutions for displacement affected populations.

DRC has been operating in Ukraine since 2014, currently DRC employs over 400 staff in Ukraine and will continue significant scale-up in 2023 to implement emergency response in the Protection, Livelihoods, Shelter/NFIs and Humanitarian Disarmament and Peacebuilding (humanitarian mine action) sectors, using direct interventions, support to duty bearers and civil society organizations (CSOs), and partnerships with CSOs. DRC will continue and adapt its durable solutions portfolio to the evolving context.

Overall purpose of the role:

Under the supersivion of the Protection Officer, the Protection Assistant (PSS) will provide comprehensive psychosocial support services to targeted individuals and communities. S/he will work closely with individuals, families and community groups to address their emotional, social and mental health needs and promote their recovery and resilience-building processes. Under the supersivion of the Protection Officer, the Protection Assistant (PSS) will provide comprehensive psychosocial support services to targeted individuals and communities. S/he will work closely with individuals, families and community groups to address their emotional, social and mental health needs and promote their recovery and resilience-building processes.

Main Responsibilities:

• Facilitate PSS group sessions to promote mutual support, socialization and positive coping strategies
• Support the designing and delivery of psychoeducational awareness sessions (both content and materials) on psychosocial topics, including stress management, available mental health services, and coping skills
• Collaborate with other service providers, such as healthcare professionals and social workers, and make appropriate referrals and follow-up when needed
• Foster community participation and engagement in psychosocial support activities, encouraging the active involvement of individuals, families and community stakeholders
• Identify and support, including through awareness and capacity-building, local resources, such as community-based organizations or volunteers, to enhance the availability of community-based psychosocial support
• Participate in capacity-building sessions as needed and required
• Contribute in developing and continuously updating a service mapping system detailing available services and assistance in DRC’s areas of operation
• Any other duties as may be assigned by the Protection manager, relevant to the achievement of protection objectives

DRC’s core competencies:

• Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process;
• Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback;
• Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation;
• Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly;
• Demonstrating integrity: You act in line with our vision and values.

Required experience and competencies:

• Degree in psychology or social work is an asset
• Familiarity with social work or case management or counselling etc. is preferred but not required.
• Comfortable in speaking about sensitive topics and working with people in distress
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to work effectively with vulnerable individuals, staff members, and stakeholders from diverse backgrounds.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple responsibilities.
• Strong sense of personal integrity and understanding of confidentiality and ethics.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Internet Explorer, Outlook/Exchange, Windows operating systems.
• Good English language skills preferred.
• Ukrainian language skills required.

Required education:

• Degree in psychology or social work is an asset

We offer:
Contract length: 3 month renewable after satisfactory probation period.
Level: I non Manager
Designation of Duty Station: Mykolaiv – Full time based
Start date: As soon as possible.

Application process:
All applicants must upload a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages in English).

Applications are open until 16th October 2023

Applications sent by email will not be considered.

We reserve the right to conduct further interviews before the deadline for submission of applications.

DRC as an employer
By working in DRC, you will be joining a global workforce of around 8000 employees in 40 countries. We pride ourselves on our:

• Professionalism, impact & expertise.
• Humanitarian approach & the work we do.
• Purpose, meaningfulness & own contribution.
• Culture, values & strong leadership.
• Fair compensation & continuous development
• Taking the lead: Taking ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.
• Communicating: Listening and speaking effectively and honestly.
• Demonstrating integrity: Upholding and promoting the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.