Staff Counselor – consultancy

The Danish Refugee Council assists refugees and internally displaced persons across the globe: we provide emergency aid, fight for their rights, and strengthen their opportunity for a brighter future. We work in conflict-affected areas, along the displacement rotes, and in the countries where refugees settle. In cooperation with local communities, we strive for responsible and sustainable solutions. We work toward successful integration and – whenever possible – for the fulfilment of the wish to return home.

The Danish Refugee Council was founded in Denmark in 1956, and has since grown to become an international humanitarian organization with more than 7,000 staff and 8,000 volunteers. Our vision is a dignified life for all displaced.

All of our efforts are based on our value compass: humanity, respect, independence and neutrality, participation, and honesty and transparency.

Operating since 2004 in Lebanon, DRC has addressed the needs and rights of vulnerable populations, working initially with Palestinian refugees (since 2004), Iraqi refugees (2007-2010), Lebanese IDPs (during the 2006 conflict), migrant domestic workers (since 2009) and, since 2011, responding to the Syrian refugee crisis.

DRC Lebanon is currently delivering programming in protection, housing, infrastructure, basic assistance, livelihoods, and community development interventions. This myriad programming seeks to address the immediate needs of displaced populations and concurrently support vulnerable host populations. DRC has five offices spread throughout Lebanon in, Beirut, the Bekaa, Saida, Tripoli and Qobayat.

Responsibilities:

• Conduct group support sessions with DRC staff on effectively dealing with secondary traumatic stress inherent in the nature of case management and emergency work as well as current context and exploring ways they can enhance their self-care and psycho-social wellbeing;

• Conduct individual counselling sessions with protection (and other staff when requested during field visits or remotely) to support them in processing difficult emotions linked to challenging cases and develop individualized self-care plans.

• Remain available for remote consultation by phone or skype, in matters related to his/her technical expertise in the following fields: - Staff counselling - Technical supervision of psychologist in the North, and where else as necessary. - Treat urgent/high risks cases of staff going through a sudden trauma

• Provide periodic and anonymized feedback to supervisors, HR or Protection Specialist accordingly on issues that may require their intervention or guidance.

• Flag urgent or high risk staff care issues that may affect the safety or wellbeing of any staff to the CD and HR manager and advise on actions to be taken, in line with the principle of consent and in the best interest of the concerned staff member.

• To produce monthly progress reports to the protection specialist to highlight needs and gaps in liaison with national interagency guidelines of the MHPSS working group.

• To meet monthly with Protection Coordinator for coordination and feedback opportunities.

Experience and technical competencies:

• 5+ years of experience in staff care including in the provision of clinical supervision and debriefing

• Ability to maintain confidentiality, respect, non-discrimination and safety of client

• Excellent interpersonal and problem-solving skills, creativity and flexibility

• Experience in working on secondary traumatic stress in humanitarian settings and/or refugee crisis

• Good understanding of Syrian refugees’ context and protection concerns

• Experience working in GBV and child protection programmes and with caseworkers is an advantage.