PSS Officer

The PSS Officer will be responsible for implementing structured psychosocial support and play-based activities for displaced children in targeted collective shelters. The role will support children’s emotional well-being, social interaction, and resilience through age-appropriate group activities, while identifying and referring children requiring additional mental health or protection support.
Responsibilities and Essential Functions

• Develop age-appropriate PSS session plans and conduct structured psychosocial support sessions for displaced children aged 3–14 in collective shelters.
• Conduct and facilitate group-based psychosocial and play-based activities for children, including art-based activities, storytelling, guided discussions, games, music, theatre-based activities, relaxation techniques, and other child-friendly activities, in coordination with facilitators and animators where applicable.
• Organize children into age groups and ensure activities are adapted to their developmental stage, specific needs, and the shelter context.
• Observe children during sessions to identify signs of psychosocial distress, protection concerns, or the need for additional support.
• Ensure timely and confidential referrals of children requiring individual mental health support or specialized services through established Child Protection and MHPSS referral pathways.
• Coordinate with relevant team members regarding children identified for individual counselling sessions or specialized support services and follow up on referrals as needed.
• Coordinate with shelter focal points, community members, and caregivers to support participation and ensure the safe implementation of activities.
• Maintain attendance sheets, activity tracking tools, referral records, and other required documentation.
• Ensure timely reporting of activities to the Project Manager.
• Participate in regular team meetings, case discussions, coordination meetings, and relevant Child Protection and MHPSS working groups and trainings.
• Ensure all activities are implemented in line with IOCC safeguarding, Child Protection, and PSEA policies.
• Support the preparation and adaptation of play-based kits, session materials, games, tools, and other age-appropriate resources for psychosocial support and child-friendly activities.
• Perform any other duties assigned by the supervisor.

Qualifications

Knowledge, skills and abilities:

• Good organizational and coordination skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Self-motivated and initiative taker.
• Good report writing and documentation skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with children and vulnerable populations.
• Good knowledge of PSS, Child Protection, safeguarding, PSEA, and referral pathways.
• Experience in facilitating age-appropriate activities for children.
• Ability to work compassionately and effectively with children and multidisciplinary teams.
• Dynamic personality and ability to work in challenging environments.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office.
• Fluency in written and spoken Arabic and English; French is a plus.

Experience:

• Minimum 2–3 years of relevant work experience.
• Previous experience in NGO and humanitarian field is an advantage.
• Previous experience in working with children and vulnerable populations is required.
• Previous experience in implementing psychosocial support activities for displaced children is an advantage.

 

Working Conditions

• Based in the field, with regular travel to collective shelters and activity locations in North Lebanon, Akkar, and/or Beirut/Mount Lebanon, depending on assignment.
• Frequent visits to the IOCC office may be required.