TERMS OF REFERENCE
VACANCY: PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT OFFICER (PSS)
INTRODUCTION
The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, working in over 40 countries to provide rights-based assistance to refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced people, returnees and other people on the move, as well as vulnerable local populations/host communities.
DRC is currently seeking a highly qualified individual with experience in providing psychosocial support, ideally in humanitarian contexts and in response to gender-based violence, for the position of Psychosocial Support Officer in Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico. This is a national contract (only for persons with authorization to work in Mexico) to implement activities in the state of Tamaulipas, Mexico from the base in Reynosa.
CONTEXT
Since 2020, DRC has implemented activities in Mexico, to progressively contribute to the humanitarian response to the migration crisis on both borders of the country and to address people affected by internal displacement. In July 2023, DRC opened an office in Reynosa, Tamaulipas to respond to the crisis faced by mixed migration flows on the country’s northern border and to address immediate needs and prevent protection risks for the most vulnerable people.
GENERAL OBJECTIVE OF THE POSITION
- Implement psychosocial support activities with people on the move, in accordance with the objectives of the Protection Program in DRC Mexico, and the indicators and goals of the protection projects.
- Contribute to the design of psychosocial support interventions and associated tools at the base and in country operations.
ABOUT THE POSITION
Under the direction of the Reynosa Protection Manager, the Psychosocial Support Officer will implement psychosocial support activities on the ground, in accordance with the standard operating procedures (SOP) established by DRC, and will support the implementation of other humanitarian assistance modalities, in direct and close contact with persons of interest. This involves field work, in formal and informal accommodation spaces for the population of interest, in compliance with the security and internal coordination guidelines of the base. The officer will work hand in hand with other members of the base’s Protection Team and will be part of the DRC Mexico Protection Unit.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Implementation of Psychosocial Support Activities
- Develop knowledge and management of the IASC guidelines for mental health and psychosocial support in emergencies; the DRC global policy on mental health and psychosocial support; and the DRC Mexico standard operating procedures on psychosocial support.
- Contribute to the planning of the implementation of protection activities at the base and to the contextualization and adaptation of psychosocial support activities.
- Conduct awareness-raising and dissemination activities with the population of interest and other actors at the local level to identify potential beneficiaries of psychosocial support services.
- Provide targeted, non-specialized, structured psychosocial support services to individuals and families in line with SOPs and internal operational guidelines, including the development of psychosocial support plans; the provision of accompaniment to individuals and groups; and the implementation of timely referrals for specialized support, among others.
- Provide structured group psychosocial support sessions and foster unstructured group activities for persons of concern in line with SOPs and internal operation guidelines.
- Alert the Protection Manager and Base Manager of any concerns related to the implementation of DRC psychosocial support activities on base.
- Implement administrative and financial procedures, as required, to make purchases and other processes necessary for the implementation of psychosocial support activities, in accordance with the organization’s guidelines and standards.
- Ensure timely and accurate recording of all psychosocial support activities in the formats and systems established by the operation.
- Participate in technical supervision processes, including at local, national and regional levels.
- Implement all necessary tools to monitor and evaluate the impacts of psychosocial support activities, with the support of the organization’s MEAL staff.
- Carry out any other activity to facilitate the implementation of humanitarian intervention at the base, in accordance with the instructions of the Protection Manager and/or Base Manager.
Part of the DRC Reynosa Team
- Contribute to updating the mapping of mental health and psychosocial support services and to the definition of channeling mechanisms between sectors.
- Support initiatives and processes to ensure that other services offered by DRC Reynosa are accessible and responsive to the needs of people with mental health problems.
- Promote and facilitate the collection of feedback and complaints, in accordance with the tools established by the operation.
- Respect and limit the safety, technical and strategic indications of the operation, including the red lines on the scope of the intervention.
- Maintain good relations with local actors, including relevant public institutions, in accordance with the base’s access strategy, as directed by the Protection Manager and/or Base Manager.
- Participate and contribute in operational and strategic planning and review processes.
- Provide information for regular reporting as required by the Protection Manager and/or Base Manager.
- Participate in the reception of internal and external visitors to the base, including the explanation of psychosocial support activities, if required by the Protection Manager and/or Base Manager.
- Contribute to the implementation of specific activities in other sectors, such as the distribution of multipurpose cash, the delivery of assistance kits, and other forms of direct assistance, in accordance with the needs identified in DRC protection projects at the base.
- Actively participate in team meetings providing input, challenges and lessons learned.
Member of the DRC Mexico Protection Unit
- Contribute to strengthening the knowledge and sensitivity of frontline operation staff in the areas of mental health and psychosocial support.
- Organize and facilitate activities related to psychosocial support, as requested.
- Participate in internal and external training, as requested.
- Participate in protection analysis processes at local and national levels on an ongoing basis to contribute to the understanding of protection risks and needs faced by the population of interest, providing inputs for regular and ad hoc analyses.
EXPERIENCE AND TECHNICAL SKILLS
- Minimum 2 years of experience in protection in international organizations, national organizations and/or in humanitarian settings, specifically including in psychosocial support programs.
- Previous experience or knowledge of mixed migration movements in Mexico.
- Communication skills, both oral and written, in Spanish. Verbal/written fluency in Haitian Creole, English, and/or French is an advantage.
- Excellent computer skills, including MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
- Flexibility to travel internally within the state of Tamaulipas or to other destinations to participate in training and/or exchange activities, and to work after hours if necessary.
- Interpersonal, problem-solving and creativity skills.
- Comfort in a multicultural environment and ability to work under pressure.
- Will and ability to learn.
- High professional ethics.
- Skills to contribute to a good environment for teamwork.
BASIC DRC COMPETENCIES
All DRC roles require the professional to possess the following internal core competencies:
- Striving for excellence: focusing on achieving results while ensuring efficient processes.
- Collaboration: Involving relevant parties and encouraging feedback.
- Taking the initiative: Taking ownership and initiative while pursuing innovation.
- Communication: listening and speaking effectively and honestly.
- Demonstrate integrity: Uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to the DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including protection from sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.
REQUIRED EDUCATION:
Professional degree or license in psychology, any related field, or equivalent professional experience.
WE OFFER:
- Salary: from $21,500 MXN gross according to the candidate’s experience.
- Type of contract: Permanent contract with a 3-month trial period + all legal benefits.
- Major Medical Expenses Insurance and Social Security.
- Hours: Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm
- Place of work: Reynosa, Tamaulipas
APPLICATION PROCESS
All applicants must upload a cover letter and a current CV (no more than four pages). Applications sent by email will not be considered. Deadline for applications is 17/09/2024. To apply for the vacancy, please visit the following link: job.drc.ngo/jobs/job?id=171887 or directly on the www.drc.ngo page under Vacancies. If you have any questions about the vacancy, please contact: andrea.rosales@drc.ngo
How to apply
APPLICATION PROCESS
All applicants must upload a cover letter and a current CV (no more than four pages). Applications sent by email will not be considered. Deadline for applications is 17/09/2024. To apply for the vacancy, please visit the following link: job.drc.ngo/jobs/job?id=171887 or directly on the www.drc.ngo page under Vacancies. If you have any questions about the vacancy, please contact: andrea.rosales@drc.ngo
