Social support officer and Protection Officer (PSPO)

About Samaritan's Purse

Samaritans Purse is a nondenominational evangelical Christian organization providing spiritual and physical aid to hurting people around the world. Since 1970, Samaritans Purse has helped meet needs of people who are victims of war, poverty, natural disasters, disease, and famine. Samaritans Purse is privileged to be part of the humanitarian effort in Ethiopia and legally registered as foreign charity to work in Ethiopia since October 08, 2018.

Open Position: 1

Duration of contract: December 31, 2024.

Job Summary

The Psychosocial Support and Protection Officer will assist in supporting the psychosocial, emotional and mental health needs, as well as oversight of the protection program for the patients/beneficiaries entering the Samaritans Purse Tigray, Mobile Medicine and Nutrition Unit. The workload is intensive and requires a team ofdissociatedhealth professionals to meet the ever-increasing demand for specialized. At times the Psychosocial Support Officer may be called upon to fulfill duties not directly involved with this job description.

Key Responsibilities

Psychosocial support officer supports the protection and, psychosocial needs of beneficiaries/patients upon entering for treatment at SPs Mobile Medicine and Nutrition Unit, Northwest Zone, Tigray.

Support the Protection component of a BHA Health and Nutrition in

Provide culturally appropriate social support services to people with protection conditions or experiencing psycho social challenges in accordance with professional ethics and best practices at MMU sites

Conduct recreational activities for children at child friendly spaces ( CFS) and work closely with CFS facilitators of the MMU sites

Mobilize and provide Nonfood items (NFI) to people who need social supports at the MMU sites and arrange referral

Daily meet with beneficiaries/patients/staff to hear their social needs at the MMU sites

Providing psych education to patients about the available social support mechanisms

Participate and provide training in social support and in MHPSS related topics

Provide guidance and support to community-based child protection and GBV response volunteers and other community-based structures for social support

Promote engagement and participation the community and government structures in the social support services

Conduct regular community meetings with leaders of representative groupswomen, youth, and PWDswill be held to receive input and give feedback on the project to the community.

Strengthen referral linkages for the management of cases with protection issues and who needs social, psychological , legal, mental and medical support

Provide guidance and community referral options as necessary

Assist the MHPSS coordinator in the development of MHPSS plan and in providing training and report activities

Undertake proper recording and regular filing of documentation / reports of data collected, creating weekly and monthly reports to meet the reporting requirements and deadlines set by SP

Work with staff to ensure care and communication is culturally sensitive.

Ensure patient confidentiality is respected at all times

Ensures opportunities are in place for safe, confidential reporting and community feedback with mechanisms to ensure accountability

Other duties as assigned and reports to the MHPSS coordinator

Education / Experience Needed

Education to BSc/BA/ level in Social Work, Sociology, psychology, psychiatry or similar field experience

At least 2 years of MHPSS working experience in humanitarian programmers / preferably with experience child protection

Current registration/licensure in social work or counselling

Strong knowledge of standards and guidelines for social support services and counselling, MH GAP,PFA, IPT, Group Problem Management Plus (G-PM+), GBV and child protection programming, coordination, and data management

Language

Tigrigna and English, required

Skills Required

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Demonstrated sensitivity in diverse, cross-cultural settings.

2. Knowledge of Sphere and established international protection and GBV standards, methodology and tools

3. Attention to detail, anticipation and follow up are core values of the job function.

4. Possesses strong organizational and problem-solving skills.

5. Must be a self-starter and internally driven to success and hard work.

6. Possesses strong cross-cultural communication skills, both written and verbal.

7. Must be a humble team player

8. Ability to be flexible and adaptable.

9. Willingness to travel in and out of the field.

10. Must have analytical and report writing skills

11. High level of integrity and stewardship

12. Committed to the SP values and ethics

13. Proficient in making clinical decisions in the care of the patient population serving.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral diagram, or schedule form.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk and run; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but can be exposed to loud noises around the maintenance and construction workshops.

May travel in country with exposure to communicable diseases, hot and humid weather conditions.

Work in a security context that is fluid

SAFEGUARDING COMMITMENT

The employee is required to carry out his/her duties in accordance with Samaritans Purse Safeguarding policy and Code of conduct.

Employee should remain alert and responsive to any child and adult safeguarding risks, acquire relevant knowledge and skills, which will enable him/her to promote strong safeguarding practices, understand the child and adult safeguarding policy and procedures, and conduct his/herself in a manner consistent with the Safeguarding Policy.