The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, working in over 40 countries to provide appropriate assistance and protection to refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced persons, returnees, people on the move, and vulnerable local populations/host communities. DRC is currently seeking a highly qualified Psychosocial Support Officer based in Santa Bárbara del Zulia, Venezuela.
About the job:
DRC is managing its operations in Venezuela, under the direction of the country office in Caracas and three field offices located in the states of Sucre, Apure, and Zulia. DRC Venezuela is implementing activities such as protection monitoring, legal assistance, individual protection assistance for people with disabilities, information sessions for proof of identity (PoC), prevention of human trafficking, rehabilitation of health infrastructure, and food security.
Job description:
Under the supervision of the Protection Case Management Leader, the PSS will support the implementation in the intervention municipalities of the activities established in the individual and group psychosocial support program, fulfilling all its objectives, as well as activities from other sectors that involve specific psychosocial interventions, under the age, gender, and diversity approach. Additionally, the PSS will also participate in other Protection activities within the framework of the Unit’s joint actions, as required. The PSS will develop and maintain appropriate relationships, based on respect for and compliance with the IASC’s core principles and humanitarian principles, with persons of concern, relevant stakeholders, institutional actors, and humanitarian actors, to ensure the fulfillment of the Psychosocial Support Program activities. The PSS will contribute to ensuring the quality of the planning, implementation, and monitoring of the psychosocial support program activities in the intervention municipalities.
Responsibilities:
- To provide psychosocial support at the individual and/or group level to the population of interest, mainly to those people exposed to protection risks in contexts of crisis and vulnerability.
- To properly monitor cases under care, implementing psychosocial strategies that mitigate impacts on mental health.
- Maintain a continuous record of the psychosocial needs of persons of interest, with emphasis on those related to mental health and psychosocial well-being, identifying the main impacts.
- Support the development and updating of mapping of actors and available services, to complement the response to identified cases in mental health and psychosocial support, especially for cases that require specialized care (level 4 according to the IASC guide).
- Identify and ensure the safe care pathway for mental health cases, guaranteeing that persons of concern receive appropriate care.
- Identify and stay up-to-date on new specialized services available, maintaining adequate communication with humanitarian, community-based organizations and local authorities.
- Participate in the development of methodologies for group sessions on topics related to mental health and psychosocial support, as well as the development of awareness materials.
- Implement group activities aimed at preventing serious mental health problems and promoting emotional well-being.
- Provide guidance and training to base teams on relevant psychosocial strategies and tools, in order to ensure appropriate intervention in protection and well-being contexts (e.g., strengthening psychological first aid strategies).
- Provide the information required for the preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual reports.
- Contribute to ensuring the quality and consistency of psychosocial support interventions, aligning them with the overall protection strategy and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
- Comply with the established work plans and follow the guidelines on the implementation strategy for psychosocial support and protection activities.
- Maintain appropriate relationships with persons of interest, stakeholders and other external actors to support and facilitate the proper implementation of psychosocial support activities.
- Ensure that the principles of protection and the age, gender, diversity and intersectionality approach are applied across all activities, including confidentiality and informed consent.
- Support the administrative, support, document management, and verification processes necessary for the development of activities and reports to the MEAL Unit, in accordance with DRC’s internal procedures.
- Maintain constant communication and coordination with the Case Management Leader and PSS; and the rest of the team for efficient and high-quality planning of the activities to be carried out.
- Participate in technical supervision sessions with the Case Management Team Leader and PSS; and the Protection Management.
- Other assigned functions that are considered necessary for the performance of the duties.
Experience and technical skills:
- Minimum two (2) years of relevant experience in the area of psychology, community work, human rights, management of therapeutic groups
- Minimum two (2) years of experience in mental health interventions and individual and group psychosocial support with people in humanitarian emergency contexts.
- Experience working with people facing internal displacement, migration, or natural disasters will be valued.
- Knowledge of the minimum standards for mental health and psychosocial support in emergencies (IASC).
- Knowledge of the context and humanitarian situation in Venezuela.
- Knowledge of differential approaches (EGD) and work with indigenous communities
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Excellent skills in MS Word and Excel
- Willingness and availability to learn
Desirable:
- Work experience in individual and group psychosocial intervention with people who present the profile of refugees, migrants, internally displaced persons and ethnic communities.
- Experience in crisis intervention.
- Experience in providing technical support to implementing partners.
- Of a calm and diplomatic nature (relational skills: assertive communication, active listening, empathy and diplomacy)
- Ability to work in a team.
- Fluency in English is an advantage.
We offer:
- The opportunity to belong to one of the best NGOs worldwide.
- Access to over 1,000 free online training courses and certificates.
- Contract duration: subject to budget availability.
- Salary: Band H.
- HCM insurance fully covered by the organization.
DRC Core Competencies:
- Achieving excellence : focusing on achieving results and ensuring efficient processes.
- Collaboration: involve relevant parties and encourage feedback.
- Taking the initiative : taking ownership and initiative while seeking innovation.
- Communicate: listen and speak effectively and honestly.
- Demonstration of integrity : Act in accordance with DRC’s vision and values.
Application process: All applicants must upload a cover letter (max. 1 page) and an updated CV ( max. 2 pages, no supporting documents ) in Spanish to the DRC job platform. Applications submitted by email will not be considered.
Application deadline : Sunday, April 5th at 11:59 pm local time. Please note that applications will be reviewed continuously and interviews will be scheduled as soon as a suitable candidate is identified. DRC reserves the right to close the position before the deadline once a suitable candidate is identified.
Start date: April 2026
How to apply
Link to Application Form
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