Venezuela – Psicólogo/a At COOPI – Cooperazione Internazionale

Since 2019, COOPI has established a presence in Venezuela to assist the local population following the worsening of the country’s socio-economic crisis. As of July 2020, it has launched a regional crisis response program implemented in consortium with Venezuelan organizations for the protection of vulnerable groups. In recent years, COOPI has expanded its interventions and is currently implementing projects in the Capital District, Miranda, Sucre, Bolívar and Delta Amacuro in the sectors: Protection (General Protection and GBV), Sexual and Reproductive Health, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, Livelihoods and Food Security.

Objective/Job Description

Within the framework of the project “Multisectoral assistance and vital protection services for the Venezuelan population in situations of greatest vulnerability and risk affected by the crisis in Venezuela”, the intervention aims to improve protection conditions and increase the security and well-being of the Venezuelan population in situations of greatest vulnerability and at risk through the provision of multisectoral protection and assistance services. The organizations of the Consortium will concentrate their actions in nine (9) states of Venezuela: Amazonas, Apure, Bolívar, Delta Amacuro, Distrito Capital, Falcón, Miranda, Sucre, Táchira and Zulia, carrying out activities with interventions in various subsectors of the Protection Sector, including the response to gender-based violence, child protection and psychosocial support (PSS). In addition, it will also include complementary activities in different subsectors of Food Assistance, Health, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene and Humanitarian Coordination, Information Management and Evaluations.

The Psychologist will be the person in charge of providing psychosocial assistance and follow-up to the population affected by situations of Gender-Based Violence and Human Trafficking, at the individual, group and community levels in accordance with the Inter-Agency Standing Committee Guidelines for interventions in cases of gender-based violence in humanitarian settings, and the psychosocial support needs identified in the communities in which interventions are being developed through cooperation alliances with different settings such as health, communities, etc.

Psychologists are responsible for supporting the implementation of psychosocial support strategies in the context of vulnerable populations, including the direct implementation of targeted individual, group and community interventions, psychoeducational sessions, mapping and networking, and training processes on aspects related to Mental Health and Psychosocial Support.

Areas of Responsibility

Specific Activities

• Provide individual, group and community psychosocial assistance to survivors of Gender-Based Violence and victims of Human Trafficking, as well as their families.
• Ensure the provision of direct services, referrals and follow-up to each of the cases attended to.
• Act as a provider of PAP and Crisis Care services at the community level to promote resilience and learning of coping strategies in the beneficiary population in the face of adversity.
• Provide community awareness and training for the prevention of human trafficking, GBV and other forms of violence in priority states and communities.
• Provide Psychological First Aid in cases of crisis or emergency situations and refer beneficiaries to specialized care services when required.
• Execute the objectives and activities within the framework of the project in accordance with ethical principles (Law on the Practice of Psychology) as well as the COOPI Code of Ethics and Conduct.
• Support awareness-raising activities on the human rights of GBV survivors, TdP, LGBTIQ+ population, people with disabilities, among others.
• Maintain records, statistics, files and reports on all psychosocial support activities and follow-up care provided by COOPI or other support services.
• Participate in facilitating community awareness-raising and training for the prevention of human trafficking, gender-based violence and other forms of violence in priority territories.
• Participate in the processes of strengthening and supporting community networks to support women, together with community leaders and in accordance with the technical guidelines of the COOPI national team.
• Apply confidentiality protocols to reflect the limits of handling case information.
• Apply screening instruments to determine the psychological state of people and their levels of psychosocial impact.
• Facilitate assistance to health and/or protection centres when beneficiaries so require.
• Apply confidentiality protocols to reflect the limits of handling case information.
• Process and share statistical reports on cases handled on a monthly basis under the principle of confidentiality.
• Maintain individual and confidential case files in accordance with data protection guidelines and policy.
• Contribute to the diagnosis of protection risks, as well as access to services, in close collaboration with other members of the case management team.
• Participate in team and supervisory meetings.
• Participate in the training and experience exchange processes to which they are invited.
• Comply with safety guidelines and promote compliance during team field trips.
• Ensure compliance with COOPI’s Code of Ethics and Conduct, Gender Policy, Protection and PEAS Policy.

Desired profile:

ESSENTIALS

• Professional with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, preferably in clinical psychology, with sensitivity and experience in caring for survivors of GBV and/or TdP.
• Postgraduate degree in gender studies and/or human rights approach desirable.
• Duly registered and solvent in the College of Psychologists corresponding to the federal entity in which he/she will practice.
• Registration and solvency in the Federation of Psychologists of Venezuela.
• Registration and solvency at the Social Security Institute (INPREPSI).
• At least three years of work experience in prevention and care for survivors of GBV, TdP, sexual and reproductive health (SRH), gender equality approach, new masculinities and a survivor-centered approach.
• It is desirable to have worked with non-governmental organizations specializing in GBV and/or TdP.
• Excellent knowledge of the institutional structure of comprehensive support for survivors of GBV, TdP and protection routes at the community and institutional levels.
• Availability to work in interdisciplinary teams and under pressure conditions.
• Emotional strengths for working with GBV survivors: good emotional management, stress management, assertiveness, self-care strategies.
• Understanding and knowledge of the local situation and community dynamics.
• Ability to gather information objectively, appropriately and sensitively, observing carefully, listening actively, paying full attention to the situation and information from various sources.
• Know and apply the guiding principles of care for GBV survivors and TdP victims, including: safety, confidentiality, respect and non-discrimination.
• Know and apply the principles of humanitarian action: neutrality, humanity, impartiality and independence.
• Respect for COOPI’s Vision and Mission.
• Know, adapt and apply key GBV tools to the context, including: Inter-agency Guidelines for Case Management in GBV and TdP; Psychosocial Support for GBV Survivors and TdP Victims; IASC Guidelines for GBV Interventions in Humanitarian Settings, Minimum Standards for GBV Interventions, GBV Standard Operating Procedures, among others.
• Availability to travel within the designated area.
• Sensitivity to gender and diversity.
• Handling of computer tools (Microsoft Windows operating system) and office automation (Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).