Protection Assistant (Psychosocial Support) job at Danish Refugee Council (DRC)

About the Job

The PSS Facilitator will support the implementation of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) activities integrated within Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Child Protection (CP) programming under the Mobile Response Team (MRT) across hard-to-reach and emergency-affected locations in South Sudan.

The position will work closely with GBV and Child Protection Officers to deliver structured psychosocial support services, including group-based and individual PSS interventions, in line with IASC MHPSS Guidelines and DRC standards. The PSS Facilitator will ensure safe, confidential, and culturally appropriate delivery of MHPSS activities while contributing to emergency protection response efforts.

Responsibilities:

• Support the implementation of structured psychosocial support (PSS) activities integrated within GBV and Child Protection programming during mobile missions.
• Facilitate group-based PSS sessions for women, girls, boys, and caregivers in line with approved MHPSS curricula and activity plans.
• Provide Psychological First Aid (PFA) to individuals in distress in accordance with inter-agency standards and DRC guidelines.
• Support GBV and CP Officers in delivering safe, age-appropriate, and culturally sensitive MHPSS interventions for survivors of violence and children at risk.
• Assist in organizing and facilitating expressive, recreational, and structured psychosocial activities aimed at strengthening coping mechanisms and emotional wellbeing.
• Identify individuals requiring specialized mental health or protection services and refer them safely to GBV/CP Officers or relevant service providers in line with referral pathways.
• Contribute to rapid protection assessments and community consultations with a focus on psychosocial stressors, coping mechanisms, and community resilience.
• Support safe documentation of MHPSS activities and ensure confidentiality and proper handling of sensitive information.
• Assist in developing weekly activity plans in coordination with the Protection Team Leader and MHPSS Officer.
• Participate in daily mission planning and debriefing sessions to adapt MHPSS interventions to evolving needs.
• Support community sensitization on stress management, positive coping strategies, child wellbeing, and available protection services.
• Maintain strict adherence to safeguarding principles, confidentiality, humanitarian standards, and DRC Code of Conduct.

Experience and Technical Competencies:

• Minimum 1–2 years of experience in MHPSS, community-based psychosocial activities, or protection programming in humanitarian settings.
• Diploma or degree in Psychology, Social Work, Social Sciences, Education, or related field is preferred.
• Completion of secondary education with relevant MHPSS or protection training is acceptable (include certificates, licenses etc.).
• Basic knowledge of IASC MHPSS Guidelines and Psychological First Aid principles.
• Experience facilitating group-based activities with women, children, and vulnerable groups.
• Strong interpersonal and facilitation skills.
• Ability to work in emergency and hard-to-reach environments.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive situations with professionalism.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.
• Fluency in English (written and spoken); knowledge of local languages is an added advantage.

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC' five 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 uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to our values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

• Support the implementation of structured psychosocial support (PSS) activities integrated within GBV and Child Protection programming during mobile missions.
• Facilitate group-based PSS sessions for women, girls, boys, and caregivers in line with approved MHPSS curricula and activity plans.
• Provide Psychological First Aid (PFA) to individuals in distress in accordance with inter-agency standards and DRC guidelines.
• Support GBV and CP Officers in delivering safe, age-appropriate, and culturally sensitive MHPSS interventions for survivors of violence and children at risk.
• Assist in organizing and facilitating expressive, recreational, and structured psychosocial activities aimed at strengthening coping mechanisms and emotional wellbeing.
• Identify individuals requiring specialized mental health or protection services and refer them safely to GBV/CP Officers or relevant service providers in line with referral pathways.
• Contribute to rapid protection assessments and community consultations with a focus on psychosocial stressors, coping mechanisms, and community resilience.
• Support safe documentation of MHPSS activities and ensure confidentiality and proper handling of sensitive information.
• Assist in developing weekly activity plans in coordination with the Protection Team Leader and MHPSS Officer.
• Participate in daily mission planning and debriefing sessions to adapt MHPSS interventions to evolving needs.
• Support community sensitization on stress management, positive coping strategies, child wellbeing, and available protection services.
• Maintain strict adherence to safeguarding principles, confidentiality, humanitarian standards, and DRC Code of Conduct.

• Strong interpersonal and facilitation skills.
• Ability to work in emergency and hard-to-reach environments.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive situations with professionalism.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.
• Fluency in English (written and spoken); knowledge of local languages is an added advantage.

• Diploma or degree in Psychology, Social Work, Social Sciences, Education, or related field is preferred.
• Completion of secondary education with relevant MHPSS or protection training is acceptable (include certificates, licenses etc.).
• Basic knowledge of IASC MHPSS Guidelines and Psychological First Aid principles.
• Experience facilitating group-based activities with women, children, and vulnerable groups.