Psychosocial Support Officer
Posted
Psychosocial Support Officer
Summary
The Psychosocial Support (PSS) Officer plays a vital role in designing, executing, tracking, and documenting initiatives that foster mental well-being and resilience among vulnerable populations impacted by conflict, displacement, or crisis. This position focuses on enhancing social inclusion and promoting adaptive coping strategies by delivering direct psychosocial assistance, organizing supportive group and individual engagements, recognizing those requiring specialized care, and facilitating prompt connections to essential service providers.
Responsibilities
- Service Delivery: Execute comprehensive assessments to determine the emotional, social, and psychological needs of individuals and communities; lead and facilitate both individual and group support sessions; and coordinate recreational, educational, and creative activities designed to build resilience. Provide foundational Psychological First Aid (PFA) within established competencies and encourage healthy self-care, stress management, and positive relationship building. Offer targeted support to diverse vulnerable groups, including children, women, the elderly, persons with disabilities, and displaced persons.
- Community Engagement: Lead awareness campaigns regarding mental health, stress management, and available support resources; mobilize community participation in support activities; and collaborate with leaders, caregivers, and educators to fortify local support networks. Champion principles of inclusion, dignity, and non-discrimination across all initiatives.
- Case Management and Referrals: Detect individuals requiring specialized medical, protection, or social interventions; arrange secure and confidential referrals to qualified health facilities and professionals; and monitor follow-up processes to ensure service access. Maintain strict professional boundaries by avoiding clinical diagnoses outside one's scope and promptly escalate safeguarding issues per organizational protocols.
- Protection and Safeguarding: Guarantee that all activities adhere to safeguarding, child protection, and confidentiality standards while applying a survivor-centered methodology for those affected by abuse or violence. Securely manage beneficiary records and report any suspected exploitation or harassment through designated channels. Ensure all program environments are safe and accessible to everyone.
- Collaboration and Coordination: Liaise with health staff, protection teams, case managers, and partner organizations; actively participate in coordination meetings and technical working groups; and keep current databases of available support services. Contribute to capacity-building efforts for community volunteers and frontline staff.
- Monitoring and Reporting: Accurately document activity details, attendance, referrals, and feedback; generate periodic reports on a weekly, monthly, or quarterly basis; and evaluate the quality and impact of interventions. Gather beneficiary insights to suggest program enhancements while ensuring all data handling complies with privacy regulations.