Protection Assistant (Psychosocial Support)

Job Posting Organization:
The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is an international humanitarian organization founded in Denmark in 195

• With a mission to assist refugees and internally displaced persons globally, DRC provides emergency aid, advocates for their rights, and works to strengthen their opportunities for a brighter future. The organization has grown to employ over 7,000 staff and 8,000 volunteers, operating in numerous countries affected by conflict and displacement. DRC's vision is to ensure a dignified life for all displaced individuals, guided by core values such as humanity, respect, independence, neutrality, participation, honesty, and transparency. In Syria, DRC has been active since 2008, initially addressing the Iraqi refugee crisis and later expanding its efforts to respond to the ongoing Syria crisis from 2011 onwards. DRC Syria employs an area-based approach to support internally displaced persons (IDPs), returnees, and host communities across various sectors, including Economic Recovery and Resilience, Protection, WASH, Shelter and Infrastructure, and Humanitarian Disarmament and Peacebuilding. The organization is committed to providing rapid responses to emerging crises and fostering resilience in fragile communities through sustainable and cost-effective solutions, while also maintaining active portfolios in neighboring countries such as Jordan, Lebanon, Türkiye, and Iraq for a comprehensive regional response to the Syria crisis.

Job Overview:
The Protection Assistant (PSS) role is crucial for the effective delivery of psychosocial-support" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">psychosocial support services in alignment with DRC's protection mandate and program objectives. This position is supervised directly by the Protection Team Leader and focuses on enhancing the psychosocial well-being, resilience, and coping mechanisms of individuals and communities impacted by conflict and displacement. The PSS Assistant is responsible for implementing the PSS workplan, which includes designing and facilitating structured PSS activities, conducting individual and group counseling sessions, and leading unstructured PSS sessions such as awareness-raising and psychoeducational workshops. The role emphasizes a targeted and evidence-based approach, guided by established vulnerability criteria and community-based protection principles. Close coordination with other protection and sectoral teams is essential to ensure holistic support, timely referrals, and the integration of psychosocial components into broader protection interventions. Additionally, the PSS Assistant contributes to data collection, reporting, and continuous learning processes to enhance the quality and impact of DRC's psychosocial support services.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Protection Assistant (PSS) is tasked with ensuring the effective, safe, and appropriate implementation of all assigned psychosocial support activities within their area of responsibility. This includes conducting individual and group counseling sessions, structured PSS interventions, and community-based psychosocial initiatives, all in accordance with DRC's PSS Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and under the technical supervision of the Protection Team Leader. The PSS Assistant must adhere to professional standards and DRC's PSS guidelines to provide high-quality, needs-based, and context-appropriate psychosocial support services. Responsibilities also include facilitating unstructured PSS sessions aimed at strengthening resilience and social cohesion, mapping available protection and psychosocial services, maintaining updated referral pathways, and ensuring safe and timely referrals for individuals with specific needs. The role requires coordination with other DRC protection teams and external actors to provide integrated support, as well as regular reporting on activities, achievements, challenges, and emerging trends. The PSS Assistant must uphold DRC's data protection policies and perform all duties in compliance with DRC's Code of Conduct and safety procedures, while also being open to undertaking additional relevant tasks as assigned by the line manager.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates for the Protection Assistant (PSS) position must possess a minimum of 2 years of relevant professional experience, including at least 1 year of direct experience working with individuals and communities affected by conflict, displacement, or crisis, preferably in psychosocial support or protection programming. They should demonstrate effective communication skills, particularly with individuals in distress, and possess a solid understanding of humanitarian principles and protection programming. Practical knowledge of psychosocial support methodologies, case management, and community-based protection approaches is essential. Strong organizational and time management skills are required, along with the ability to plan, prioritize, and deliver results under pressure while maintaining accuracy. Excellent interpersonal, communication, and problem-solving abilities are necessary, as well as proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and comfort with digital data collection tools.

Educational Background:
The educational requirement for the Protection Assistant (PSS) position is a Bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, sociology, or behavioral sciences. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of psychosocial support and the needs of individuals affected by conflict and displacement.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 2 years of relevant professional experience, with at least 1 year of direct experience in psychosocial support or protection programming. Candidates should have a demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with individuals experiencing trauma or conflict-related challenges, showcasing empathy and professionalism in their interactions.

Languages:
Fluency in written and spoken Arabic is mandatory for this position, while a working knowledge of English is desirable. Proficiency in these languages is crucial for effective communication with beneficiaries and collaboration with team members.

Additional Notes:
The contract for the Protection Assistant (PSS) position is expected to last until the end of December 2026, and the role is classified as Non-Management I

• The position is located in Daraa, Syria, with an expected start date as soon as possible. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply through the provided application link, ensuring that they submit a cover letter and an updated CV, both in the same language as the vacancy note. The application deadline is set for 11 April 2026, and DRC reserves the right to conduct tests and interviews before the closing date, potentially closing the advertisement earlier if a suitable candidate is found.