Background/IRC Summary:  The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is a leading global relief and development organization, working in 42 countries worldwide. Established in Pakistan for over 30 years, IRC manages and delivers large, complex programs to meet needs in health, education, protection and livelihoods for displaced, poor and conflict-affected communities. IRC works in partnership with local government and non-governmental organizations and currently works in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Job Overview/Summary:  The Psychosocial officer, under the supervision of the Senior Service Delivery Officer, will assess opportunities to bring IDP women and girls together, through psycho-educational activities, vocational and skills trainings, and ensure their inputs are key to the design of activities. The officer is responsible for developing and implementing life skills programs based on inputs from IDP women and girls, mapping of needs and the referral system, and providing guidance and support to trainees in the Vocational Training Service. The officer will work closely with the rest of the WPE team to mobilize IDPs, strengthen self-reliance and self-management, and ensure women and girls are provided with a safe space to learn key skills.

Job Responsibilities:

·         Conduct needs assessments through consultations with IDP women and adolescent girls on skills activities to conduct both in camp and off camp with IRC’s partner organizations.

·         Design psychosocial and lifeskills activities in close collaboration with the other psychosocial officer and the Vocational training officer.

·         Lead implementation of lifeskills activities with women and adolescent girls in close collaboration with partner organizations

·         Set up age-appropriate group activities for women and adolescent girls in a safe and confidential manner.

·         Work closely with the Senior Case Officer, WPE coordinator and the Vocational training officer to ensure all trainings are appropriately planned, resourced and implemented.

·         Ensure all information sessions and lifeskills trainings are implemented according to times appropriate for participants, are of quality and completed in a timely manner;

·         Ensure activities are implemented in a safe and comfortable environment for participants;

·         Create opportunities for information sharing on key topics as determined with the IDP women, IRC partners and the WPE coordinator;

·         Carry out mapping of referral system and support development of GBV referral pathway

·         Refer women who desire it to case managers.

·         Collect information on specific issues of concern among IDP women and girls (i.e. information related to access to better living, shelter, food, healthcare, clean water and hygiene, education, and safety).

·         Support the rest of the team and the information officer to conduct and organize various activities in and off camp such as 16 Days of Activism, International Women Day, and any other relevant events.

·         Carry out outreach activities to inform women and girls about available services and how to access them.

·         Participate in development of GBV impact assessment surveys, data collection through survey, interviews, and focus groups, and data analysis.

·         Participate in the development of lessons learned and best practices

·         Monitoring and quality assurance

o   Ensure all psychosocial activities are informed by IDP women and adolescent girls, and that their concerns remain at the centre of all these activities;

o   Work closely with partner organizations, and with the M&E team to ensure systems and tools are in place to monitor activities

o   Ensure timely and accurate reporting against indicators relevant to the position;

o   Responsible for accountability towards women and adolescent girls participating in activities through regular consultations and feedback on the psychosocial activities taking place;

o   Document all program activities in a timely and appropriate manner.

o   Report weekly on activities taking place, progress made, and challenges identified

o   linked to psychosocial activities in close collaboration with the WPE coordinator.

·         Other:

o   Participate in trainings organized by the IRC

o   Adhere to the IRC Way

o   Undertake all other tasks as requested by the supervisor

Job Requirements:

Part 1: Essential Criteria:

a)         Education:

University degree in, social science, human rights

b)         Work Experience:

Minimum 02 years of working on skills-building working on projects related to women’s empowerment

c)         Languages:

             Must be fluent in Urdu & Pashto languages both written and spoken, must speak basic English.

           Part 2: Desirable Criteria:

a)      Previous experience working on projects specific to women

b)      Previous experience working with internally Displaced Populations (IDP)

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

o   Excellent communication and analytical skills

o   Ability to communicate sensitively and without judgment

o   Ability to use good judgment when making decisions and to take accountability for decisions made

o   Emotional maturity and stability to resolve conflicts in non-violent way and maintain appropriate boundaries

o   Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, ethnicity, and age sensitivity and adaptability

o   Computer skills

o   Ability to handle multiple tasks; proven self-initiative and problem solving abilities;

o   Willingness to travel to program sites within Pakistan;

o   A commitment to protecting human rights.

Working Environment:  Field work at Women Community Centres