Psychosocial Support (PSS) Worker

OVERVIEW

PATH is now hiring for our next project, implementing an integrated, community-based program in the West Hararghe Zone that supports vulnerable children, youth, women, and communities through coordinated education, wellbeing, protection, and economic resilience interventions. The program focuses on expanding equitable access to education by supporting school enrollment, attendance, accelerated learning for out-of-school children, and inclusive school environments, while also strengthening children’s physical, psychosocial, and protective wellbeing through health, nutrition, mental health support, and community-based child protection systems. In parallel, PATH facilitates poverty-targeted women’s Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to strengthen livelihoods, financial inclusion, and climate-resilient economic capacity, complemented by time-bound emergency and recovery support for households facing acute shocks. Through this integrated approach, PATH works alongside schools, communities, and local institutions to promote long-term resilience, dignity, and opportunity for vulnerable populations.

Purpose of the Role

The Psychosocial Support (PSS) Worker provides structured, non-clinical psychosocial support to children and caregivers experiencing vulnerability, emotional distress, or protection risks.

The role promotes resilience, emotional well-being, and positive coping through individual and group-based interventions at community and school levels.

The PSS Worker operates within the organization’s child protection and case management framework, ensuring early identification of risks, appropriate documentation, and timely referral of cases requiring specialized mental health or protection services.

Key Objectives

• Improve psychosocial well-being and resilience of children and caregivers
• Provide safe, child-friendly psychosocial services in schools and communities
• Strengthen early identification of protection and psychosocial risks
• Support child protection case management processes
• Ensure accurate documentation and strict safeguarding compliance

Core Responsibilities

A. Individual and Group Psychosocial Support

• Provide structured, non-clinical psychosocial support sessions (individual and group)
• Facilitate child-friendly activities promoting emotional expression, social skills, and resilience
• Support children facing stress related to education, disability, family issues, or protection concerns
• Promote positive coping strategies among caregivers

Expected Outputs:

• Documented individual and group PSS sessions
• Improved coping, participation, and engagement among supported children

B. School-Based Psychosocial Support

• Conduct psychosocial support sessions within schools
• Support teachers with basic classroom-level psychosocial strategies
• Coordinate with school staff to identify students requiring additional support
• Contribute to safe and inclusive learning environments

Expected Outputs:

• School-based PSS sessions conducted
• Teachers oriented on basic psychosocial approaches
• Students identified and supported appropriately

C. Child Protection Case Management Support

• Identify children at risk of abuse, neglect, exploitation, violence, or severe psychosocial distress
• Conduct basic protection and psychosocial risk screening using approved tools
• Provide psychosocial input into child protection case plans
• Participate in confidential case discussions and review meetings
• Support follow-up visits for community-based child protection cases
• Immediately escalate high-risk or life-threatening cases

Expected Outputs:

• Completed screening forms
• Psychosocial case notes documented
• Protection concerns reported within 24 hours
• Psychosocial components integrated into case plans

D. Referral Pathways and Case Documentation

• Conduct structured psychosocial assessments using approved tools
• Classify cases according to internal risk guidelines
• Refer cases requiring specialized services to:
  • Case Management Worker (formal case handling)
  • PGSI Officer (GBV/safeguarding concerns)
  • Health facilities (clinical mental health)
  • Government child protection/Women & Children Affairs offices where required
• Track and follow up on referrals
• Maintain secure and confidential case files

Expected Outputs:

• Referral forms completed and logged
• Referral tracking sheet updated
• Secure and organized case files maintained

E. Community Child Protection & Awareness

• Conduct awareness sessions on child protection, stress management, and positive parenting
• Strengthen community understanding of reporting and referral mechanisms
• Support community-level child protection monitoring mechanisms
• Coordinate with schools, kebele leaders, and relevant government offices

Expected Outputs:

• Community awareness sessions conducted
• Reporting pathways disseminated
• Coordination meetings documented

F. Documentation, Reporting & Data Management

• Maintain accurate and confidential PSS and case records
• Submit weekly and monthly activity reports
• Ensure data is stored securely in designated systems (e.g., OneDrive)
• Participate in supervision and case review meetings

Expected Outputs:

• Complete and compliant documentation
• Timely submission of reports
• Updated case records

G. Safeguarding, Ethics & Professional Conduct

• Apply safeguarding, confidentiality, and “Do No Harm” principles
• Immediately report safeguarding concerns or ethical violations
• Maintain professional boundaries at all times
• Practice emotional self-care and participate in supervision

Works Closely With

• MEAL Unit, MPSS Unit, Livelihood Unit, PGI Officer

Duty Station

• Field Office West Hararghe, Chiro Town

Employment Type:

• Full-time

Contract Type

• Fixed-term / project-based

Duration

• 6-month contract with the possibility of extension based on performance.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Social Work, Counseling, Sociology, or related field
• Minimum 2-3 years’ experience in psychosocial support or community-based child protection work
• Experience working with children and vulnerable populations
• Strong understanding of safeguarding and confidentiality principles

Preferred Qualifications

• Training in Psychological First Aid (PFA)
• Experience in child-friendly spaces or school-based PSS
• Familiarity with referral pathways and government child protection systems
• Experience in humanitarian or NGO settings

Key Competencies

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to engage children in safe and supportive ways
• Structured documentation and assessment skills
• Emotional resilience and self-awareness
• Ability to handle sensitive information confidentially
• Teamwork and coordination skills

Computer Skills

Basic Office Applications

• Microsoft Word (session notes, reports, case summaries)
• Microsoft Excel (data entry, beneficiary tracking)
• Email communication (Outlook or Gmail)

Digital Documentation & Data Storage

• Ability to use shared cloud systems (OneDrive)
• Upload and organize confidential case files properly
• Follow naming conventions and documentation standards
• Maintain secure digital records

Working Conditions

• Field- and school-based role (60–70%)
• Regular travel within assigned communities
• Standard working hours with flexibility for urgent protection cases
• Project-based position subject to performance and funding

SALARY AND BENEFITS

Gross Salary

• 45,000 – 50,000 ETB, salary is fixed to current USD exchange rate

Phone Communication:

• Unlimited voice and Internet Package

Medical Coverage

• Medical insurance coverage for the employee and eligible dependents.

Transportation Allowance

• Monthly transport allowance