Position: Psychosocial Support Coordinator, Whole of Syria (WoS) (National position)

Location: Amman, Jordan with frequent travel to Syria and Türkiye

Duration: 1 year (renewable) starting from May 2024

Reports: Protection Advisor, Whole of Syria

Direct reports: PSS Senior Officer(s), Whole of Syria

About Relief International

Relief International (RI) partners with communities impacted by conflict, climate change, and disaster to save lives, build greater resilience and promote long-term health and well-being.

Currently, RI is active in 14 countries around the world, including some of the most fragile: Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Myanmar, Pakistan, Philippines, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Turkey, and Yemen.

Relief International includes the four corporate members of the RI Alliance: Relief International Inc., Relief International-UK, Relief International-France and Relief International-Europe. Under our alliance agreement, we operate with a single, shared management structure.

Position Summary:

Under the supervision of the WoS Protection Advisor, the WoS PSS Coordinator will support the Program Managers in implementing and supervising the specialized PSS interventions in Syria. Particularly, s/he will have a key role in assessing the technical needs of the PSS staff and contribute to the capacity building of RI’s and partners’ PSS teams. S/he will oversee the quality of services at the women and girls’ safe spaces (WGSS), protection units, and mobile units in emergencies.

The PSS Coordinator will be supported by the Protection Advisor and will be responsible for ongoing assessment of the capacity and the quality of PSS work inside Syria and will provide technical support and recommend corrective measures, as needed. The PSS coordinator will also ensure that activities are on track and the response is appropriate, relevant, effective, timely, coordinated, and complementary. The PSS Coordinator will also play a key role in integrating PSS under gender-based violence (GBV) and child protection (CP) activities and actively seek synergies with other components of the program. The PSS Coordinator will be responsible to lead the technical development of the sub-sector and for the development and revision of manuals, guidelines, tools and all technical elements related with the PSS programme. When needed, s/he will provide remote therapeutic support to high-risk clients and sensitive cases.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

• Coordinate closely with the Syria-based protection managers, protection coordinators and the Amman-based WoS protection team on overseeing the day-to-day implementation and progress of the PSS program activities.
• Provide direct technical guidance and support and oversight to the PSS Senior Officers/Officers as well as to the PSS team based in Syria in the provision of quality PSS services (including counselling and listening activities) to ensure the needs of target groups are met in a timely and consistent manner, and ensuring safe and ethical data monitoring, and processes are streamlined in the program facilities across all geographical areas.
• In coordination with the protection adviser, lead the development and revision of building PSS activities and services in Syria, including drafting, and revising manuals for safe program delivery by the PSS teams.
• Support the protection adviser in the development and revision of the PSS programme, by providing advice on new innovative activities and services, in line with clients’ needs.
• Contribute to ongoing analyses of program and service delivery data for problem identification, program planning, and advocacy purposes, and help identify trends and gaps in PSS service provision.
• Assess PSS staff needs (RI’s and partners’) for capacity-building and contribute to developing/improving training plans.
• In coordination with the Protection Advisor, develop/utilize the PSS training curricula and materials for PSS under CP/GBV as well as support the linkages between focused PSS and specialized MHPSS services provided under the health program, in line with the training plan and with focus on semi-therapeutic approaches.
• In coordination with the Syria-based teams, organize and lead the training for RI and partners staff in line with the training plans and by using the relevant curricula and materials including training monitoring tools.
• Actively contribute to the integration of PSS into the GBV/CP strategy to meet the needs of the affected populations inside Syria, and lead assessments to inform program priorities for selected geographic locations.
• Support the Protection Advisor and the Protection Program Managers in the development of PSS resources and IEC materials.
• Support the proper use of M&E tools and systems (including feedback mechanisms) and provide input to track indicators.
• Participate in internal and donor reporting on a monthly, semi-annual, and annual basis, following the requirements communicated by the grants and reporting team in Amman.
• Support and supervise the implementation of data security policies according to global standards, respecting confidentiality of survivors’ data.
• Direct remote counselling service provision as needed.
• Coordinate with the WoS GBV and CP Coordinator in Amman for joint activities including capacity building activities.
• In coordination with HR and Syria-based protection coordinators, recruit PSS staff and work with supervisors to ensure Performance Management Plan for all staff is in place and regularly followed up on.
• In coordination with the Protection Advisor, review the function of the PSS staff at the field level and at Amman level and advise on changes/adaptation as needed.
• Support the protection program managers in Syria in ensuring work plans are followed and targets are met.
• Contribute to proposal development as delegated by the Protection Advisor and the grants and reporting unit, when needed.
• Ensure all PSS staff strictly adhere to confidentiality.
• Support the development of RI staff care mechanisms for field teams.

Qualifications & requirements

This position demands a dynamic individual with a demonstrated ability to achieve results in a demanding and fast-paced environment. To perform this job successfully, the individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or competency required.

• Master’s degree psychology or related field with a minimum of 3 years of post-licensure experience particularly in one of the three specializations: Clinical Psychology, Counselling Psychology, Social work (with additional psychological therapy qualification)
• Minimum of four years (4) professional experience in counselling or in clinical supervision of others and treating trauma related problems
• Ability and experience to effectively provide training on PSS/PFA
• Experience with the Syrian context (desirable) and emergency PSS in conflict settings!
• Good analytical and problem-solving skills
• Must be detail oriented.
• Knowledge of global MHPSS guidelines and best practices
• Knowledge of MHPSS approaches in low resource and humanitarian contexts.
• Experience in conducting assessments.
• Experience in designing MHPSS program tools.
• Research and/or monitoring experience preferred.
• Excellent time management skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including patience, diplomacy, willingness to listen and respect for colleagues.
• Must be capable of working both individually and as part of a team.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, stressful environment.
• Demonstrated ability to work across multi-functional units.
• Organized and able to independently manage multiple tasks under strict deadlines.
• Cultural awareness and ability to work well in an international environment with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
• Ability to think critically and creatively.
• Proficiency in MS Office
• Proficiency in Excel, SPSS, or another statistical analysis software (desirable)

Language Skills:

• Fluent Arabic language communication skills required (both oral and written)
• Very good skills in English language (Oral and written)

RI Values:

We uphold the Humanitarian Principles: humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and operational independence. We affirmatively engage the most vulnerable communities. We value:

• Inclusiveness
• Transparency and Accountability
• Agility and Innovation
• Collaboration
• Sustainability

Professional Standards

All Relief International members (staff, volunteers, and interns) are committed to the RI policies such as, RI Code of Conduct, Child Protection Policy, Reporting Conflict of Interest, Reporting Misconduct, Reporting Sexual Exploitation and Abuse. All newcomers are expected to adhere to all these policies.

Disclaimer Clause 

This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skills, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with position.