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Background:
ABOUT RI Relief International (RI) is a leading nonprofit organization working in 20 countries to relieve poverty, ensure well-being and advance dignity. We specialize in fragile settings, responding to natural disasters, humanitarian crises, and chronic poverty. Relief International combines humanitarian and development approaches to provide immediate services while laying the groundwork for long-term impact. Our signature approach — which we call the RI Way—emphasizes local participation, an integration of services, strategic partnerships, and a focus on civic skills. In this way, we empower communities to find, design, and implement the best solutions for them. Job Summary The Community-Based GBV PSS Worker provides essential psychosocial support to survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) directly within their communities. The role centers on strengthening the resilience and emotional well-being of GBV survivors through individual and group counseling, facilitating community-level psychoeducational activities, and supporting the establishment of local support networks. The Community-Based GBV PSS Worker is a key resource for empowering communities to address GBV safely and sensitively, ensuring culturally appropriate, accessible, and survivor-centered support at the grassroots level.
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Duties and responsibilities:
- Provide individual and group psychosocial support sessions directly within communities, ensuring accessibility for survivors who may not have transportation or feel comfortable traveling.
- Develop and implement psychosocial support plans that are personalized and adapted to local contexts, ensuring they align with cultural values and community needs.
- Conduct outreach and awareness-raising sessions on GBV, mental health, and psychosocial well-being, encouraging community-wide understanding and empathy.
- Collaborate with local leaders, community groups, and faith-based organizations to build supportive networks and reduce stigma surrounding GBV.
- Facilitate community conversations to identify safe spaces where survivors can access psychosocial support discreetly and securely.
- Organize and lead group-based psychosocial support sessions, fostering peer support networks and resilience among survivors within the community.
- Facilitate psychoeducational activities focused on emotional regulation, coping strategies, and resilience-building in group settings.
- Encourage community members to participate in empowerment activities, creating an environment where survivors feel valued, included, and respected.
- Train community volunteers on GBV guiding principles, including confidentiality, respect, and non-discrimination, to assist with community-level psychosocial support activities.
- Build the capacity of local stakeholders to identify signs of trauma, provide basic emotional support, and understand referral protocols for survivors needing specialized services.
- Support community leaders and volunteers in facilitating safe referral pathways for health, legal, and protection services.
- Support community-led resource development, including the creation of information materials, to increase awareness and educate the community on GBV prevention and response
- Develop and follow clear referral protocols in collaboration with community partners to ensure efficient, safe, and confidential referral processes.
- Conduct follow-up visits as needed to monitor progress, address ongoing needs, and ensure survivors receive consistent, quality support.
- Maintain accurate records of community-level psychosocial support activities, adhering to confidentiality protocols.
- Contribute to regular community reports summarizing PSS activities, community engagement, and survivor feedback while maintaining ethical data practices.
- Engage with community stakeholders to develop protective mechanisms, such as community watch groups, that create safe environments for survivors.
- Support communities in developing informal safety plans for survivors at risk, including identifying trusted individuals who can assist discreetly.
- Advocate for survivor-friendly practices within the community, contributing to a supportive, informed, and responsive community network.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor
Safeguarding - Uphold and promote RI’s commitment to ensuring the safeguarding and safety of the vulnerable communities we serve.
- Consistent with RI’s safeguarding and protection policies, ensure all people who come into contact with Relief International are as safe as possible.
Equity and Diversity commitment - Demonstrate sensitivity and understanding of systemic diversity and cultural differences.
- Ensure that gender equity is addressed in our staffing and programming
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Minimum Qualification, Skills and Experience Required:
- Degree or diploma in Community Development, Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, or a related field. Training in GBV or community psychosocial support is strongly preferred.
- 1-2 years of experience in community-based psychosocial support or counseling, ideally with GBV survivors in a rural or low-resource context.
- Strong understanding of GBV principles, community dynamics, and trauma-informed care.
- Ability to conduct supportive and culturally relevant individual and group counseling in community settings.
- Understanding of local cultural and social norms.
- Fluency in Arabic and local languages is essential. Basic English is preferred for reporting and coordination.
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