Protection Officer for Psychosocial Care – Caracas (National Personnel) At Danish Refugee Council

Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, working in more than 40 countries to provide adequate assistance and protection to refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced persons, returnees, people on the move and vulnerable local people/host communities. Currently, within the framework of the emergency response to the earthquake, DRC is seeking a highly qualified Psychosocial Care Protection Officer based in Caracas, Venezuela.

About work:

DRC manages 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 implements protection monitoring activities, legal assistance, individual protection assistance for people with specific needs (PWSN), information sessions for people of interest (PoC), prevention of human trafficking and food security.

Within the framework of the emergency response to the earthquake that occurred in June 2026, DRC is opening a new implementation office in Caracas, independent of the country office, to meet the needs of the affected populations. To this end, it seeks to incorporate a DRC and is looking for a Protection Officer specialized in Psychosocial Support (PSS) to support the implementation of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support activities within the framework of the earthquake response, based in Caracas and operational coverage in the prioritized communities of the state of La Guaira.

General objective of the position:

DRC Venezuela implements protection programs aimed at strengthening the self-protection, resilience and well-being capacities of populations in vulnerable situations, through comprehensive interventions that promote access to protection services, community strengthening and psychosocial support.

As part of its protection approach, DRC develops Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (SMAPS/MHPSS) activities aimed at strengthening the emotional well-being, positive coping strategies and recovery of people affected by various situations. of vulnerability and risk. These interventions are implemented in accordance with the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) Guidelines on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support and institutional technical guidelines.

In the context of the humanitarian response to the earthquake, DRC has adapted and expanded its protection interventions to address the emerging needs of affected people and communities in the state of La Guaira. Recognizing that emergencies can exacerbate pre-existing protection risks and generate new effects on mental health and psychosocial well-being, the organization integrates psychosocial support actions within its protection response, in order to accompany affected people and contribute to the recovery of communities impacted by the emergency.

Psychosocial support activities include group and community interventions aimed at strengthening emotional well-being, resilience and positive community coping strategies, as well as individual care with a crisis intervention approach in order to identify protection or specialized service needs. of mental health requiring safe referrals to specialized services where appropriate.

General purpose of the position:

DRC is seeking a Protection Officer specialized in Psychosocial Support (PSS) to support the implementation of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support activities within the framework of the earthquake response, based in Caracas and operational coverage in prioritized communities from the state of La Guaira.

The selected person will be responsible for implementing psychosocial interventions based on community mobilization, aimed at strengthening the emotional well-being, collective coping capacities and community support networks of people affected by the emergency. The activities will be carried out in accordance with the international standards of the IASC in Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) and the technical guidelines of DRC Venezuela.

The position will have a key role in facilitating group and community activities aimed at promoting participation, social cohesion and community recovery after the emergency, contributing to the identification of protection and psychosocial support needs, as well as the activation of mechanisms reference for people with specific needs.

The exercise of the function involves the application of validated methodologies adapted to the emergency context, close support to the affected communities and monitoring of the implemented activities, guaranteeing at all times the principles of protection, safeguarding, accountability towards the populations. affected and high standards of technical quality.

Responsibilities:

The Protection Officer (Psychosocial Support in Emergencies) will be responsible for:

• Carry out community outreach, awareness and dissemination activities to promote access to protection and psychosocial support services by the affected population.
• Carry out visits to communities and intervention spaces to identify key actors, community resources and needs for protection and psychosocial support.
• Implement group and community psychosocial support activities based on community mobilization methodologies, strengthening support networks, community participation and recovery.
• Provide brief individual psychosocial support to people affected by the emergency, through crisis interventions aimed at emotional containment, stabilization, strengthening coping strategies and recovering the feeling of control and security.
• Identify individuals with specific mental health or protection needs and ensure their safe and timely referral to specialized services where appropriate.
• Support the development and updating of the mapping of available actors and services.
• Participate in the development and adaptation of methodologies, tools and materials for psychosocial support and awareness activities in emergency contexts.
• Guarantee the timely and quality registration of the implemented activities, as well as the application of monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning (MEAL) tools.
• Ensure the technical quality of interventions and the transversal application of the principles of protection, safeguarding, confidentiality, informed consent, action without harm and differential approach.
• Provide information for internal and external reports, promptly alert about operational challenges or identified risks and maintain permanent coordination with the protection team and other relevant actors.
• Organize and facilitate events, community activities and other actions related to the psychosocial protection and support response.
• Participate in training, technical meetings and other activities required to meet the project objectives.
• Carry out other activities related to their functions that are required by supervision or Protection Management.

Experience and technical skills:

• At least 2 years of experience in protection programs in humanitarian organizations, international organizations or contexts of care for populations in vulnerable situations, including experience in group and community psychosocial support activities.
• Experience in the design and facilitation of psychosocial support activities, community mobilization and strengthening of support networks.
• Knowledge of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (SMAPS/MHPSS), including crisis intervention and brief individual psychosocial care.
• Experience facilitating training, workshops or capacity building activities.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and guarantee the safety and dignity of the people served.
• Knowledge of using the Microsoft Office package (Word, Excel and PowerPoint).
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and inter-institutional relationship skills. Creative skills for community work will be considered an advantage.
• Problem-solving ability, adaptability, work under pressure and availability to travel to intervention areas when required.
• It will be considered an advantage:
• Training, knowledge or interest in Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergencies (SMAPS/MHPSS), Psychological First Aid (PAP) and humanitarian response.
• Experience working with communities affected by situations of vulnerability, human mobility or other humanitarian response in Venezuela.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and/or social work.

Language:

• Spanish

We offer:

• The opportunity to belong to one of the best NGOs in the world.
• Access to more than 1,000 free online trainings and certificates.
• Contract duration: 6 months with extension availability according to budget availability.
• Salary: H band.
• HCM insurance covered entirely by the organization.
• National contracting.

DRC Basic Competencies:

• Achieve excellence: focus on achieving results and ensuring efficient processes.
• Collaboration: involve relevant parties and encourage feedback.
• Take the initiative: take 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, without supports) in Spanish, on the DRC employment platform. Requests sent by email will not be considered.

Application closing date: Tuesday, July 21 at 11:59 pm Local Time. Please note that applications will be continually reviewed and interviews will be planned as soon as a suitable candidate is identified. DRC reserves the right to close the vacancy before the deadline once a suitable candidate is identified.

Start date: August 2026

Note:

• We reserve the right to close the vacancy before the indicated application closing date
• The vacancy is subject to project approval and availability of funds
• Due to emergency hiring, DRC is not required to send rejection notifications to candidates who are not considered in the process