Pychosocial Support Officer, Nyarugusu, Tanzania

Pychosocial Support Officer, Nyarugusu, Tanzania

The Organisation

Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organisation that advances children’s rights and equality for girls.

We believe in the power and potential of every child. But this is often suppressed by poverty, violence, exclusion and discrimination. And it’s girls who are most affected.

Working together with children, young people, our supporters and partners, we strive for a just world, tackling the root causes of the challenges facing girls and all vulnerable children.

We support children’s rights from birth until they reach adulthood. And we enable children to prepare for – and respond to – crises and adversity. We drive changes in practice and policy at local, national and global levels using our reach, experience and knowledge.

We have been building powerful partnerships for children for over 80 years, and are now active in more than 70 countries.

The Psychosocial Support officer will be responsible for the establishment and implementation of PSS activities for children and adolescents in the camp at either static Child and Adolescent Friendly Spaces, mobile or integrating them into other sectors and activities. This also include one to one and group sessions for children with distress identified at PSS activities or referred by the Case Management or other teams. The PSS officer will also support the work engaging caregivers and parents and facilitating positive parenting programs and psychoeducation.

The PSS officer coordinates all PSS activities delivered by PSS facilitators/incentive workers, including a programme of age appropriate recreational clubs, non-formal education opportunities for adolescents and caregivers, adolescent peer clubs, life skills and positive parenting programmes, counselling and practical skills (i.e. tailoring, breadmaking etc.).

The position holder will work in close coordination with the case management, CBCP teams to ensure the prevention and response CP issues in the camp. He/she will also ensure to strengthen the linkages between the services providers and community mechanism for referral of cases to appropriate services and safe access to protection services

Accountabilities

Coordinate and manage all activities in CFS/AFS and mobile CFS/AFS (Child-Friendly Spaces and Adolescent-Friendly Spaces)
Regularly collaborate with the Centre Management Team (CMT) of static spaces and facilitate regular CMT meetings, to enable effective planning and monitoring of Centre activities
Ensure set up and execution of structured activities in line with CPMS and project documents
Convene integrated programming meetings between all programme sector staff, including social workers from PSS, education and youth technical teams
Regularly communicate with community and CMT on scheduling changes, updates to offered activities, etc.
Ensure compliance of child protection and safeguarding policies, including volunteers signing and adhering to Child Safeguarding Policy and Code of Conduct
Responsible for executing all emergency procedures
Regularly liaise with MEAL team to seek feedback from the community, and provide leadership to the Centre Team in acting on all complaints and feedback
Regularly update and report to CPIE Manager and CPIE Specialist on progress, challenges, and successes
Work closely with the child psychologist for one to one and group sessions for children, adolescents and caregivers.
Responsible for mobilizing the refugee communities to play an effective role in protecting
Actively contribute to the capacity building of PSS staff on CFS management, PFA, PSS, communication with childrenchild based CP structures on Community mobilization, PRA techniques, identification and responding to child protection issues, and administration and management of CPCs and child clubs etc.
Ensure Community based structures are supported to conduct community-based awareness raising activities on CP issues
Responsible to ensure that all community-based structures are coordinating with each other effectively for timely achievement of common objective and results for protection of children
Ensure that CBCPM promote linkages with the Service Centres, youth centers, case management services, peer educators and other Committees in the camp.
Support CBCPM members to promote the inclusion of marginalized and minority groups and ensure meaningful child participation in PSS and CBCPM activities
Support CPCs in planning, implementing and managing routine activities, i.e., conducting / attending meetings and recording minutes of the meetings and follow up on action plans
Responsible to monitor, identify and refer child protection issues as per the agreed interagency protocols and procedures
Compile weekly, monthly reports on describing activities, indicators, case studies and lesson learned and share with the team leader as per agreed timelines
Ensures adherence to the Child protection Policy and reporting procedures
Represent Plan in zone leader meetings and other coordination meeting in the camps
Undertakes any other task assigned by supervisor
Ensures that Plan International’s global policies for Child Protection (CPP) and Gender Equality and Inclusion (GEI) are fully embedded in accordance with the principles and requirements of the policy including relevant Implementation Standards and Guidelines as applicable to their area of responsibility. This includes, but is not limited to, ensuring staff and associates are aware of and understand their responsibilities under these policies and Plan International’s Code of Conduct (CoC), their relevance to their area of work, and that concerns are reported and managed in accordance with the appropriate procedures.
Key relationships

The Psychosocial Support Officer will have significant contact with Plan’s Child Protection team and will liaise closely with the CPIE Coordinator (superviser), CPIE Manager, CPIE Specialist, PSS staff (supervised by PSS officer), and MEAL team.

Technical expertise, skills and knowledge

Essential

Bachelor degree in Community Development, Social Work, Development Studies, Social Sciences, Psychology, or similar field
Experience working with refugee community for at least 1 year
Proven capacity to lead teams
Demonstrate good understanding of PSS and impact on children and adolescents

Desirable

Experience with refugees will be an added advantage
Interpersonal, problem solving and decision-making skills
Patience and stress management
Good knowledge of computer applications
Good training abilities
Capacity to work under pressure
Key Behaviours:

Relates to people in a friendly, open and accepting manner
Ability to explore emotional issues with beneficiaries and sensitive approach to deal with
Cultural awareness and sensitivity
Timely and accurate in executing his/her duty
Excellent verbal and written communication skills and representation
Critical thinking and strategic planning
Has a positive impact on those around them
Demonstrate the ability to solve problems, be creative while providing support.

Plan International’s Values in Practice

We are open and accountable

Promotes a culture of openness and transparency, including with sponsors and donors.
Holds self and others accountable to achieve the highest standards of integrity.
Consistent and fair in the treatment of people.
Open about mistakes and keen to learn from them.
Accountable for ensuring we are a safe organisation for all children, girls & young people
We strive for lasting impact

Articulates a clear purpose for staff and sets high expectations.
Creates a climate of continuous improvement, open to challenge and new ideas.
Focuses resources to drive change and maximise long-term impact, responsive to changed priorities or crises.
Evidence-based and evaluates effectiveness.
We work well together

Seeks constructive outcomes, listens to others, willing to compromise when appropriate.
Builds constructive relationships across Plan International to support our shared goals.
Develops trusting and ‘win-win’ relationships with funders, partners and communities.
Engages and works well with others outside the organization to build a better world for girls and all children.

We are inclusive and empowering

Seeks constructive outcomes, listens to others, willing to compromise when appropriate.
Builds constructive relationships across Plan International to support our shared goals.
Develops trusting and ‘win-win’ relationships with funders, partners and communities.
Engages and works well with others outside the organization to build a better world for girls and all children.

Physical Environment

Based in the camp with limited stay in the office

Level of contact with children

High level: Frequent interaction with children

Location: Nyarugusu

Reports to: CPiE Coordinator

Closing Date: 11th December, 2019

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