About US:
Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) is the leading national humanitarian organization in Uganda and a member of the International Red Cross Red Crescent Movement. The ICRC is an International humanitarian institution which has a mandate to protect victims of international and armed conflicts i.e. the wounded, refugees, civilians, prisoners and other non-combatants.
Job Summary: The Psychosocial Support (PSS) Officer will be responsible for developing and implementing a strategy of the psychosocial support interventions for URCS beneficiaries, staff and volunteers. The incumbent will provide day-to-day support and coaching to URCS beneficiaries, staff and volunteers to promote their emotional and social wellbeing. S/He will provide technical support through training, coaching and mentoring to URCS beneficiaries, staff and volunteers to ensure that activities are implemented in accordance with the URCS program/Project Plans and Strategy 2020. The jobholder also coordinates planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of PSS activities within the URCS workplace and emergency contexts. He/she will provide technical guidance to and builds the capacity of the program/project teams to improve quality of service delivery as per URCS standards.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
Prepare a strategy, priorities and a detailed work plan for Psychosocial Support in Emergency (PSSiE) situations and workplace PSS components within the URCS.
Identify community Psychosocial Support needs arising from substance abuse, and design appropriate strategy for URCS interventions.
The jobholder will omplement Psychosocial Support in emergency (PSSiE) situations and workplace PSS components activities.
Develop tools for monitoring and evaluation of PSS interventions and train URCS beneficiaries, staff and volunteers on their utilization
Tasked with mentoring and training all URCS staff (national and refugee) on how to talk with distressed refugees and identifying refugees with PSS problems that are in need of referral.
Serving as the liaison with other psychosocial support services partners.
In charge of planning regular meetings with partners and stakeholders.
Representing URCS in Psychosocial Support Working Group meetings and sharing the key outcomes with other departments.
Ensuring effective communication among partners, organizations and the community and beneficiaries.
Supporting capacity development of psychosocial counsellors.
Identifying training needs of psychosocial volunteers, counsellors, and conducting training based on training plan and module validated by HR & Admin Coordinator, and other technical advisers.
Providing continuous mentorship and coaching for refugee psychosocial counsellors.
Adapt materials on psychosocial support, including PSSiE materials, staff and volunteers’ training/guidance materials, to suit local contexts and priorities
Prepare program/project reports and reports on training outcomes, with recommendations.
Provide requisite psychological first aid (PFA) services to affected URCS beneficiaries, staff and volunteers (precise programming depending on identified needs, existing services and capacities and actions of other agencies)
Train selected staff and volunteers in key aspects of community psychosocial support skills/psychological first aid and relevant aspects of Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) guidelines
Design and establish PSS standard operational procedures (SoPs) and criteria when setting up the PSSiE and URCS workplace PSS components; in line with in IASC Guidelines
Conduct community outreaches and awareness-raising as part of psychosocial support in emergency (PSSiE) interventions
Support the integration of Psychosocial support intervention in all URCS programs and projects
Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
The ideal candidate for Psychosocial Support Officer job opportunity should preferably hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, Mental Health, Counselling, Social work but with Post Graduate qualifications in Counselling or Psychology
A minimum of three years’ experience providing psychological support with vulnerable children, families and communities
Broad knowledge and understanding of the International Mental Health and Psychosocial Support, Child Protection and Gender based violence standards and guidelines.
Previous experience working in INGOs/NGOs an added advantage
Broad knowledge and understanding of emergency response, familiarity of the Sphere Project’s Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response.
High levels of integrity
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with good understanding of relevant cross-cultural issues.
Positive, respectful attitude and collaborative approach to diversity.
Demonstrated attention to detail; ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently as well as cooperatively with team members
Team player, self-motivated and proactive on own initiative to set and achieve goals
Highly motivated, self-starter able to lead a process, engage others and create ownership.
How to Apply:
All candidates who desire to join the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement should send their filled application forms, download here and E-mail to: sgurcs@redcrossug.org or mail via post to: The Secretary General, Uganda Red Cross Society, Plot 551/555 Rubaga Road, P.O. Box 494, Kampala, Uganda.
Deadline: 8th May 2017 by 5:00pm