Psycho-social support (PSS) Facilitator (Ops)

TEAM/PROGRAMME: Child Protection (Ops)

CHILD SAFEGUARDING: 

Level 3:  the role holder will have contact with children and/or young people either frequently (e.g. once a week or more) or intensively (e.g. four days in one month or more or overnight) because they work in country programs; or are visiting country programs; or because they are responsible for implementing the police checking/vetting process staff.

ROLE PURPOSE: 

The PSS Facilitator will be responsible from implementing quality psychosocial support activities within CFSs an in a mobile modality in align with IA global and regional PSS standards/guidelines to provide structure and safety for children, as well as contributing to the child’s emotional security and positive cognitive and physical development.

SCOPE OF ROLE: 

Reports to: PSS Officer

Staff reporting to this post: None

Budget Responsibilities: None

Role Dimensions: (e.g. complexity, relationships, communication with stakeholders) Coordination with stakeholders to set up an effective system in a highly complex and dynamic country.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY: 

• Supervise and support children’s play activities 
• Ensure a variety of structured games and activities within the Child Friendly Space and outside, catering to the needs of children of different ages, genders, and abilities
• Implement a daily/weekly activity schedule which includes play and recreational activities; sports; expressive activities like drama, singing, and drawing; communicative activities like storytelling; and time for small group/large group activities
• Implement PSS activities based on SCI’ Common Approaches and evidence-based programmes (Parenting without Violence, Child Resilience, HEART, etc.) to improve and strengthen the psychosocial wellbeing of the children. 
• Plan activities for the coming week with a variety of programs and activities for each age group, and that engage girls’ active participation
• Post the activity schedule at the beginning of each week so children know what to expect
• Ensure that children’s participation and input form the basis of the activities
• Promote equal participation by girls and boys
• Promote participation by children who have mental or physical disabilities
• Provide positive parenting sessions with the parents/caregivers of children
• Ensure a safe and child-friendly atmosphere within the Child Friendly Space - an area where no physical discipline or fighting occurs
• Screen for and monitor protection needs and gaps in and around the Child Friendly Space
• Ensure that children feel comfortable, safe, and respected
• Be a positive role model and demonstrate conflict-solving behaviours
• Take accurate attendance on a daily basis so we can know who is coming and who is not
• Conduct a daily visual assessment of the children each day to see if any children have child protection concerns
• Identify children who are malnourished, or who have health or psychosocial risks and refer accordingly
• Assure that children have a break so they can drink water and go to the toilet
• Assure that water is delivered and there is an appropriate quantity for children to drink
• Ensure that all games and equipment are accounted for and stored securely at the end of the day
• Liaise with parents and the community regularly to keep them informed of any developments or problems within the Child Friendly Space and surrounding areas

BEHAVIOURS (Values in Practice)

Accountability:

• holds self accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values
• holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities - giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved.

Ambition:

• sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves and their team, takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages their team to do the same
• widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others
• future orientated, thinks strategically and on a global scale.

Collaboration:

• builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, Members and external partners and supporters
• values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength
• approachable, good listener, easy to talk to.

Creativity:

• develops and encourages new and innovative solutions
• willing to take disciplined risks.

Integrity:

• honest, encourages openness and transparency; demonstrates highest levels of integrity

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Required

• Minimum of Bachelors in Counseling Psychology, MHPSS or relevant discipline. 
• Minimum 2 years of professional experience working with children. 
• Excellent writing, facilitation, and organizational skills.
• Excellent command of the local language of the affected population.
• Strong drive for results and ensuring timely delivery of quality products.
• Work experience in humanitarian emergencies or protracted-conflict settings.
• Sound knowledge of IASC Guidelines on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings, human rights, and protection in humanitarian contexts.
• Excellent communication and engagement skills with children and their caregivers.
• Able to empathize with children and families that have been impacted by the humanitarian emergency.
• Ability to work individually and within a team. 
• Good analytical, problem solving and project planning skills.
• Able to communicate clearly and strategically with internal and external stakeholders as a representative. This includes effective negotiation and representation skills.
• Computer knowledge - Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook.
• Advocates for children’s rights and child participation in all decisions that affect them.
• Strongly drives performance forward in area of the business for which they are responsible together with the team.
• Sets a strong learning culture in their part of the organisation.
• Remains calm and positive under pressure and in difficult situations.
• Aware of impact on others and adjusting own behaviour accordingly.
• Commitment to Save the Children values and Child Safeguarding.

Desired

• Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-cultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships.
• Experience or knowledge of working and living in relevant regions/contexts.
• Experience working with IDPs, refugees and returnees.
• Competent spoken English language.
• Experience or knowledge of working and living in relevant regions/contexts.
• Strong skills in monitoring, evaluation, research and conducting participatory, community-led assessments.
• Politically and culturally sensitive with qualities of patience, tact and diplomacy

Additional job responsibilities

The job duties and responsibilities as set out above are not exhaustive and the post holder may be required to carry out additional duties within reasonableness of their level of skills and experience.

Equal Opportunities 

The post holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with the SCI Equal Opportunities and Diversity policies and procedures.

Health and Safety

The post holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with SCI Health and Safety policies and procedures.