Danish Refugee Council, one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, we are excited to invite you to join our team as a Protection Officer – (Mental heath Pyschosocial Support). If you are a skilled and motivated professional ready to make a difference, we want you on board! Together, we’ll work to deliver impactful humanitarian solutions in challenging environments.
About the job
Overall purpose of the role: The Protection Officer– Psychosocial Support is responsible for overseeing the PSS program strategy, in addition to ensuring high impact programming. The Protection Officer – Psychosocial Support will advise on program design and implementation, innovative approaches, staff training and capacity building, with the aim of building a cohesive, well-coordinated and high-quality PSS response across multiple locations.
Your main duties and responsibilities will be:
Program Strategy & Design
- Lead technical design and strategy of PSS programming.
- Assess needs and existing capacities across sites; identify DRC's niche in the psychosocial field.
Technical Oversight & Quality Control
- Conduct field-based quality assessments; recommend improvements.
- Develop PSS manuals and tools, adapted to local context and language.
Capacity Building & Staff Support
- Train and coach PSS staff and partners (e.g., Team Leaders, Case Workers).
- Conduct supervision visits, mentoring, and skill-building.
- Deliver training in self-care, stress management, and resilience to staff.
Coordination & Representation
- Represent DRC in key coordination forums (GBV, PSEA, MHPSS).
- Collaborate with external actors to align approaches and services.
Monitoring, Learning & Proposal Development
- Work with M&E to strengthen data collection, learning, and documentation.
- Contribute to proposal writing for MHPSS-related projects.
Required
Essential Qualifications:
- Master’s in Clinical Psychology (mandatory).
- Licensed Clinical Psychologist.
- Minimum 6 years of experience in PSS programming with vulnerable populations.
Key Skills and Experience:
- Strong grasp of IASC MHPSS Guidelines and psychosocial support tools.
- Demonstrated ability to develop materials, train, and coach staff.
- Field experience in East Africa, preferably with IDPs, returnees, and refugees.
Desirable Attributes:
- Experience with structured group and individual interventions for children, elderly, and persons with specific needs (PSN).
- Strong communication and mentoring skills.
- Cultural sensitivity and experience in remote or insecure field environments.
Working at DRC
Help applying
DRC as an employer
Founded in 1956, DRC Danish Refugee Council is Denmark’s largest, and a leading international NGO. We have continuously been ranked as one of the best NGOs in the world - and are one of the few with a specific expertise in forced displacement. In over 40 countries, we protect, advocate and build sustainable futures for refugees and other displacement-affected people and communities.
By working in DRC, you will be joining a global workforce of around 8000 employees. We pride ourselves on our:
- Professionalism, impact & expertise
- Humanitarian approach & the work we do
- Purpose, meaningfulness & own contribution
- Culture, values & strong leadership
- Fair compensation & continuous development
DRC’s capacity to ensure the protection of and assistance to refugees, IDP’s and other persons of concern depends on the ability of our staff to uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment. DRC conducts thorough and comprehensive background checks as part of the recruitment process.
Danish Refugee Council is an equal opportunity employer and we consider all applicants based on individual merit and qualifications, regardless of personal characteristics or attributes. We are committed to increasing the diversity of our workforce, aiming for a 50% balance of men and women in management roles and ensuring that at least 50% of management roles are filled by national staff. We recognize that a diverse and inclusive team is crucial for achieving our organizational goals and making a positive impact on the communities we serve.