Psychosocial Support Officer

Mission and objectives

UNFPA is the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency. Our mission is to deliver a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled. UNFPA’s goal is to achieve universal access to sexual and reproductive health, realize reproductive rights, and reduce maternal mortality to accelerate progress on the ICPD agenda, to improve the lives of adolescents and youth, and women, enabled by population dynamics, human rights, and gender equality. In 2018, UNFPA launched efforts to achieve three transformative results, ambitions that promise to change the world for every man, woman and young person: 1.) Ending unmet need for family planning 2.) Ending preventable maternal death 3.) Ending gender-based violence and harmful practises UNFPA recognizes that innovation is a key accelerator to achieve these results. UNFPA will harness innovation to meet tomorrow’s challenges and boost its impact, especially in addressing furthest behind populations, and leverage opportunities, social capital, funding and technology by (a) strengthening the corporate innovation architecture and capabilities, (b) scaling up innovations that have proven to be effective and impactful, (c) forming new partnerships and connecting with relevant innovation ecosystems, (d) strengthening and leveraging financing for innovation, and (e) expanding communities and culture for innovation.

Context

UNFPA Moldova Country Office(CO) is currently engaged in supporting the Ukrainian refugees with a special focus on adolescents, youth and women. As part of this support, UNFPA initiated the establishment of the safe and friendly spaces for youth and women that are called “Orange spaces”. The UN Volunteer will mainly have the role of support staff in “Orange Spaces” that will provide a physically, emotionally, and socially protective environment. The ”Orange spaces” are dedicated to adolescents and youth from 10 to 24 years and women of all ages. However, they can also cover children up to 10 years to the extent possible. The”Orange spaces” are offering a combination of protection, psychosocial, and recreation support, and may offer activities aiming at life skills development, building emotional resilience, GBV prevention, access to basic hygienic products, including menstrual hygiene and contraception, as well as referral information for necessary services. The space allows adolescents, youth and women to have social relations with their peers, and dialogue on sensitive issues or issues of common interest but also offers opportunities to have their voices heard or provide feedback on services. UN Volunteers are expected to be available full time and to travel/work outside Chisinau (at the refugee placements, including the border point of Palanca).

Task description

Under direct supervision of the Head of Policy and Liaison Unit Humanitarian Office – Coordinator of humanitarian response in UNFPA Moldova Country Office, the UNV will assist the following tasks: • Provide Psychosocial support to the beneficiaries, • Implement and support life skills development programs that are age-appropriate and include basic knowledge on hygiene, mental health, building relationships, sexuality education, GBV prevention, etc. • Conduct animation activities which may include art therapy, outdoor and sports activities, board games, watching movies, etc. • Provide support to the information and referral to medical or support services (ex. Youth Friendly Health Services, Youth Centers, helplines, etc.) • Support other activities in align with the operations of “Orange Spaces”. • Any other task may be assigned by the supervisor

Eligibility criteria

Age

27 – 80

Nationality

Candidate must be a national or legal resident of the country of assignment.

Requirements

Required experience

3 years of experience in psychosocial support and social work. • Experience working in the Humanitarian context and emergencies is an asset; • Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; • Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel; • Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment; • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines.