Protection Assistant- PSS

The Protection Assistant- PSS supports the implementation of psychosocial support activities in Sanja, Ethiopia, focusing on non-specialized individual and group counselling, trauma healing sessions, capacity building trainings, and inclusion of vulnerable groups. The role involves working closely with local communities, authorities, and partners to strengthen psychosocial support interventions and enhance the safety and dignity of affected populations.

Responsibilities

• Support the delivery of structured and non-structured PSS activities for children, adolescents, women, men, and caregivers.
• Facilitate group sessions such as life skills, peer support groups, child-friendly space activities, and community-based PSS sessions.
• Provide basic individual psychosocial support in accordance with PSS principles.
• Plan and organize awareness sessions on stress management, coping mechanisms, and positive parenting.
• Organize community dialogues and psychoeducation sessions.
• Plan and conduct community sensitization on stress, trauma, and coping mechanisms.
• Plan and provide capacity building training for community leaders and structures on PFA, basic psychosocial support principles etc.
• Identify individuals showing signs of distress, provide psychological first aid- PFA for individuals who face stressful situations and refer them to the appropriate focused specialized MHPSS service providers.
• Support safe and confidential referral of cases to health, protection, legal, and other relevant services using the referral pathway.
• Maintain confidentiality and adhere to survivor-centered approaches at all times.
• Work closely with community leaders, caregivers, volunteers, and facilitators to promote psychosocial wellbeing.
• Mobilize community members to participate in PSS activities.
• Maintain accurate attendance records, activity reports, and basic MOVs and monitoring tools.
• Support data collection while ensuring confidentiality and data protection standards.
• Provide regular updates on activities, challenges, and progress.
• Plan and conduct trainings and orientations for community volunteers, facilitators, and caregivers on basic PSS concepts.
• Coordinate with other protection team members to ensure integrated service delivery.
• Participate in team meetings, supervision sessions, and capacity-building activities.
• Plan and coordinate proactively logistics and movements of staff from and to different operational areas.
• Initiate procurements and ensure their execution under the PSS activities.
• Perform any other duties as may be assigned by the Emergency Response Manager, relevant to the achievement of protection objectives.

Requirements

• Diploma or Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Social Work, Sociology or a related field.
• Minimum 1 year of experience in psychosocial support, protection, child protection, or community-based programs.
• Experience working with vulnerable populations, including children and survivors of violence, is an asset.
• Excellent skills in speaking, reading and writing English and Amharic.

Skills

• Psychosocial Support
• Child Protection
• Community-Based Programs
• Counselling
• Group Counselling
• Trauma healing
• Capacity Building
• Work with Vulnerable Populations
• Protection Interventions
• English Language
• Amharic Language

Languages

English, Amharic