Protection Assistant - PSS

The Protection Assistant - PSS is responsible for implementing psychosocial support activities in Debark, Ethiopia, focusing on non-specialized individual and group counselling, trauma healing sessions, capacity building trainings, and ensuring inclusion of vulnerable groups. The role supports community-based and individual psychosocial support activities and works closely with local communities, authorities, and partners to strengthen PSS interventions and enhance safety and dignity of affected populations.

Responsibilities

• Support the delivery of structured and non-structured PSS activities for children, adolescents, women, men, and caregivers.
• Facilitate group sessions such as life skills, peer support groups, child-friendly space activities, and community-based PSS sessions.
• Provide basic individual psychosocial support in accordance with PSS principles.
• Plan and organize awareness sessions on stress management, coping mechanisms, and positive parenting.
• Organize community dialogues and psychoeducation sessions.
• Plan and conduct community sensitization on stress, trauma, and coping mechanisms.
• Plan and provide capacity building training for community leaders and structures on PFA, basic psychosocial support principles etc.
• Identify individuals showing signs of distress, provide psychological first aid (PFA) and refer them to appropriate specialized MHPSS service providers.
• Support safe and confidential referral of cases to health, protection, legal, and other relevant services using the referral pathway.
• Maintain confidentiality and adhere to survivor-centered approaches at all times.
• Work closely with community leaders, caregivers, volunteers, and facilitators to promote psychosocial wellbeing.
• Mobilize community members to participate in PSS activities.
• Maintain accurate attendance records, activity reports, and basic MOVs and monitoring tools.
• Support data collection while ensuring confidentiality and data protection standards.
• Provide regular updates on activities, challenges, and progress.
• Plan and conduct trainings and orientations for community volunteers, facilitators, and caregivers on basic PSS concepts.
• Coordinate with other protection team members to ensure integrated service delivery.
• Participate in team meetings, supervision sessions, and capacity-building activities.
• Plan and coordinate logistics and movements of staff from and to different operational areas.
• Initiate procurements and ensure their execution under the PSS activities.
• Perform any other duties as assigned by the Protection manager/Emergency Response Manager relevant to protection objectives.

Requirements

• Diploma or Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Social Work, Sociology or a related field.
• Minimum 1 year of experience in psychosocial support, protection, child protection, or community-based programs.
• Experience working with vulnerable populations, including children and survivors of violence, is an asset.
• Excellent skills in speaking, reading and writing English and Amharic.

Skills

• Psychosocial Support
• Child Protection
• Community-Based Programs
• Counselling
• Group Counselling
• Trauma healing
• Capacity Building
• Protection Programming
• Work with Vulnerable Populations
• Safety and Dignity Promotion
• English Language Proficiency
• Amharic Language Proficiency

Languages

English, Amharic