IFRC recruits 01 Psychosocial Support (PSS) Delegate
Psychosocial Support (PSS) Delegate
Strong candidate identified
Closing date (Geneva time zone):04-07-2019
Duty station:North Kivu – DRC
Country:CONGO, THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE
Duty station status: Non Family Duty Station
Accompanied status: Non-Accompanied
Duration:2,6 months
Category of Staff: Delegate
Grade: C1
Vacancy No:IFRC03164
Background
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with 190 member National Societies. As part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, our work is guided by seven fundamental principles; humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality.
Organizational Context
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC or “the Federation”) is the World’s largest volunteer-based humanitarian network. The Federation is a membership organization established by and comprised of its member National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Along with National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the Federation is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The overall aim of the IFRC is “to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by National Societies with a view to preventing and alleviating human suffering and thereby contributing to the maintenance and promotion of human dignity and peace in the world.” It works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises. The Federation is served by a Secretariat based in Geneva, with regional and country offices throughout the world. The Secretariat is led by the IFRC Secretary General and provides the central capacity of the International Federation to serve, connect, and represent National Societies. Ebola is endemic to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). In May 2018, the DRC Ministry of Health (MoH) officially declared the 9th epidemic of the Ebola virus disease (EVD) in Equateur province. This was the ninth Ebola outbreak in the country, and the first in the province. The humanitarian community, including the Red Cross and Red Cross Crescent partners, quickly mobilized resources to face this new EVD outbreak and on 25 July the outbreak was officially declared over. This epidemic caused a total of 33 deaths for 54 cases reported (38 confirmed and 16 probable) in three affected health zones of Wangata (Mbandaka), Bikoro and Itipo. One of the key Red Cross response during the active outbreak phase was SDBs. Over 100 RC volunteers were trained in SDB and teams responded to over 80 SDB alerts. On the 1st August the MoH officially declared a new EVD outbreak in Mabalako Health Zone, Beni territory. Following an alert from the North Kivu Provincial Health authority about a cluster of cases in Mangina end of July 2018, four samples out of six tested positive for EVD. On 6 August 2018, the Institut National de Recherche Biomédicale (INRB) confirmed by genetic sequencing that this latest outbreak is caused by the Zaire ebolavirus species and is not connected to the recent outbreak in Equateur Province. As of 26 April 2019, a total of 1,396 EVD cases have been reported in the region, 1,330 of which have been confirmed and 66 which are probable. Confirmed or probable cases are localized to five health zones in North Kivu, and one neighboring health zone in Ituri Province.
Job Purpose
The PSS Delegate is in charge of developing, leading and managing the PSS program led by the IFRC and DRC RC in North Kivu in response to the EVD outbreak.
The main focus is to support the RC Volunteers in order to support them in their tasks and train them as needed. Other activities with communities will be assessed and analyzed for further implementation. The PSS delegate will also support preparedness activities in neighboring provinces.
Job Duties and Responsibilities
The PS Delegate is responsible for:
providing the DRC RC with guidance in the strategic planning of its PS activities planned under the EVD recovery programme and leading to the development and implementation of a Strategic Plan that will guide future PS interventions. A draft document has been prepared and needs to be discussed with the SLRCS to ensure ownership and integration with other plans and strategies. (20%)
supporting the DRC RC PS Officer in a mentoring capacity, on program direction and implementation including the Community Based Psychosocial Support Programme initiative that has been introduced to the DRC RC through training of trainers. The Delegate will encourage/promote DRC RC ownership and leadership over its PS programme honouring the DRC RC PS Officer responsibility over program direction and implementation. (30%)
support to the oversight and implementation of the PSP component of the revised appeal and DRC RC PSS planned programme to support communities affected by Ebola, with the DRC RC PS Officer and will ensure the building of strong linkages between PSP and other programme activities such as community health, SDB, livelihoods, disaster management and DRR. (30%)
Advise DRC RC PSS teams in the development of interventions to assist the members of the SDB teams who due to the nature of their work have suffered considerable stress and stigmatization. Training has already taken place to form a cadre of volunteers trained as trainers in Psychological First Aid. The PS Delegate will lead with cascading this training to every member of the SDB teams and carrying our follow-up and referrals as required. (10%)
Support as needed the preparedness activities in the neighbouring provinces of North Kivu (10%)
Other job Duties:
Mentor the DRC RC PS Officer providing training and guidance in standard RC PS tools and activities.
Implement with the SLRCS PS Officer the PS part of the IFRC Recovery Appeal and the development of the SLRCS PS Strategy and Action Plan.
Assess current PS capacities and needs for support to SLRCS staff and volunteers in the field and advise on programme direction.
Build upon PS capacities of DRC RC volunteers and staff using IFRC tools and approaches such as Psychological First Aid (PFA) and Community Based Psychosocial Support Programming (CBPSP).
Work with DRC RC staff and volunteers developing and implementing coping and support strategies for staff and volunteers in relation to the Ebola crisis and beyond.
Support NLRCS PSS team in the development of funding proposals.
6. Work with DRC RC PS Officer to implement a programme to increase access to psychosocial support for communities affected by EVD
Education
Relevant degree in social science, public health, psychology or related discipline
Masters in social work, social sciences, community development or in institutional development and executive management
IMPACT, Basic Delegates Training Course or equivalent knowledge
Experience
At least 5 years of experience with planning and managing community based interventions.
Experience of working within the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement.
Experience in National Society / local partner organisational PSS capacity building and institutional development.
Experience in staff and volunteer managerial and technical support.
Experience of drafting and managing a budget.
Experience of developing Plan of Action for PS activities and monitoring and reporting of PS activities
Experience of working for a humanitarian aid organisation in a developing country.
Technical knowledge and experience in the implementation of participatory approach methods.
Knowledge of the IFRC PS approach and material/tools
Experience in working in both emergency (epidemics) and developmental contexts and engaging effectively with beneficiaries who are stigmatised and marginalised
Knowledge, skills and languages
Self-supporting in computers (Windows, spreadsheets, word-processing).
Skills in capacity building and organisational development.
Skills in training and developing staff.
Valid international driving license (manual gears).
Fluently spoken and written English and French
Competencies and values
Teamwork; commitment to the International Red Cross & Red Crescent Movement; integrity & personal conduct; sensitivity to diversity; flexibility & adaptability; initiative & direction; interpersonal skills; resilience
Planning; management of budgets; management of resources; monitoring; reporting; communication; networking; management of self
Comments
The Federation is an equal opportunity employer.