Psychosocial Support (PSS) Officer (Temporary)

FH Culture

All we do, and how we do it, seeks to promote God’s beauty, goodness, and truth in a broken world. As such, we are defined by our ability to make people’s lives measurably better; our ability to deliver impact is the measure of our collective success. For we know that we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God has already prepared in advance for us to do. At Food for the Hungry, we operate under a set of values called Heartbeat Values.

Position:                          Psychosocial Support(PSS) Officer

Duty Station:                 Asgede, Tigray

Duration of Contract:  Contract Ends on December 31, 2025

Closing date:                January 5, 2025

Job Summary

The psychosocial (PSS) officer will be based in Asgede under the direct supervision of the GAC Emergency responses coordinator. She will be responsible for supporting the GAC Project in Tsimbla, Asgede and West Tselemti Woredas to increase the capacity of the project and implementing staff to deliver services in compliance with IASC Guidelines for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings.

Principal Responsibilities

⮚ Oversee the integration of mental health and psychosocial support within the GBV programming.

⮚ Support the caseworker case of survivors to achieve their psychosocial needs as well as other related needs.

⮚ Conduct individual and group counseling sessions, manage self-help groups, and be accountable for all psychosocial support (follow and implement culturally appropriate therapeutical techniques).

⮚ Conduct referrals to relevant services when needed while implementing the action plan and ensuring appropriate follow-up and case closure when appropriate.

⮚ Equipped and managed recreation activities catering to individuals requiring counseling and psychosocial support.

⮚ Delivered psychological first aid, particularly to survivors of GBV or trauma. Also provided training in psychological first aid for non-professional counseling staff.

⮚ Evaluated caseworker skill assessments, identifying areas for capacity development regarding MHPSS.

⮚ Ensure adherence to guiding principles, including the IASC Guidelines for mental health and psychosocial support in humanitarian settings.

⮚ Ensure the quality of PSS activities undertaken by the site WGFS team.

⮚ Collaborate with various stakeholders and UNFPA under the supervisor of the supervisor in the domains of mental health, GBV, and care practices.

⮚ Responsible for structural PSS activity implementation, reporting, and assessing the effectiveness of the session accordingly.

⮚ Responsible for the implementation and following of the community-based MHPSS service and providing direction and coaching to the community incentive workers.

⮚ Lead on the collection of needs and gaps in gender-based violence PSS programming by engaging community and community representatives.

⮚ Conduct an equal field visit in the responsible operational area of the sites.

⮚ Ensuring to incorporate a survivor-centred approach in all GBV case management activities.

⮚ Participate in community services and other sector meetings in the community to advocate for gender inclusion, representation, and consideration of other potential risk factors for women and girls as identified during safety audits and women’s and girls’ centre discussions.

⮚ With the support of the center manager, prepare individual, monthly, quarterly, and annual GBV PSS work plans for responsible operation areas.

⮚ Prepare and submit accurate and quality (weekly, monthly, and activity) reports as well success stories on GBV PSS activities within set deadlines.

⮚ Conduct community-based recreational activities (games, festivals, competitions, cultural celebrations, etc).

⮚ Ensure strict adherence to confidentiality for all case-related information; protect the identities of survivors in the design and implementation of all activities.

⮚ Lead on providing emotional support group sessions to women, men, boys, and girls at risk of or survivors of gender-based violence in compliance with best practices and FH’s guidelines.

⮚ Ensure updated filing and documentation of gender-based violence cases in line with FH tools.

⮚ Participate in the development of weekly outreach plans with case workers, and community incentive workers based on case trends and ongoing needs of women and girls, including strategies to reach women and girls who are more isolated or have special needs.

⮚ Perform additional activities assigned by the supervisor.

Safeguarding Policy

FH strives to provide an environment free from sexual exploitation and abuse and harassment in all places where relief and development programs are implemented. FH holds a zero-tolerance policy against sexual exploitation and abuse and harassment. FH expects its employees to maintain high ethical standards, protect organizational integrity and reputation, and ensure that FH work is carried out with honest and fair methods, in alignment with the FH Heartbeat and safeguarding and associated policies. Violations of stated policies will be subject to corrective action up to and including termination of employment.

Gender Responsibility

• Be aware of the stereotypes about women’s and men’s capacities, and discuss how they influence staff, in assigning responsibility, and in managing resources at unit and organization levels.
• Be able to describe how gender issues relate to one’s job responsibilities and how gender equity can be promoted through the execution of those responsibilities.
• Be familiar with the local Gender Focal Point(s), and go to her/him to learn more about gender issues, or when there is a gender grievance or harassment issue to resolve
• Within each project and department, discuss FH’s Gender & Diversity and Sexual Harassment and sexual exploitation Policies, so that all staff is conversant with them.
• Refrain from any comments or gestures that indicate prejudicial views of female staff, especially female supervisors.

Safety & Security Responsibility

• Each FHE staff member should adhere to all pertinent policies concerning the safety and security policy of FH. Lapses in safe conduct can jeopardize the health and welfare of all staff.
• Every FHE staff member must learn and understand the security situation where they are located.
• Each FHE staff member should adhere to all pertinent policies concerning safety and security. This includes but is not limited to, personal safety, road safety, etc.
• He/she has a responsibility to become familiar with social, cultural, and other associated features of their duty stations;
• Abstains from inappropriate or offensive behavior that can put FHE in a difficult position, impair operations, and jeopardize the health and welfare of all staff of FHE.
• All FHE staff should promote safe conduct and exercises caution in all work activities; staff should be accountable for their own personal and professional actions and conduct;