Overall purpose of the role:

The Protection Assistant – Pediatric Counsellor plays a hands-on role in supporting the mental health and overall well-being of vulnerable children in Dadaab, particularly those facing trauma, abuse, or other protection risks. The position focuses on delivering consistent, child-centered psychosocial care through counselling, therapy sessions, and close follow-up, while ensuring each child receives appropriate support tailored to their situation. Working closely with community structures, caregivers, and other protection actors, the role also strengthens case management systems, promotes child protection standards, and helps create safer environments where children can recover and thrive. In addition, the counsellor contributes to coordination efforts, documentation, and capacity building of frontline workers to ensure that responses to children’s needs are timely, holistic, and aligned with program and donor expectations

Duties and Responsibilities:

R1. Case management:

• Facilitate and conduct provision of professional counselling services for children with protection concerns by conducting play and art therapy, individual and group sessions, psycho-education session and work with caregivers to address children concerns.
• Conduct/ensure regular follow-up visits to monitor the rehabilitation and reintegration of clients, and document changes identified.
• Participate in the interpretation of the data analyzed on trends and work with team to disseminate information to all relevant stakeholders.
• Support in the preparation of accurate reports for all Psycho-social related activities.
• Ensure that child survivors of sexual gender base violent (SGBV) and exploitation receive appropriate care and follow-up.
• Undertake documentation of counselling services in accordance with DRC broader Case Management and CPIMS protocols and systems.
• Facilitate direct professional counselling services for UAMs, separated children and other vulnerable children identified and/or referred by child protection social workers and partners
• Participate in monthly CFS coordination meetings and work with all key stakeholders to advocate for improvements in systems that affect child safety and well-being in the camp and settlement. 
• Conduct counseling follows up to children referred for BID process and update their information to be presented in BID panel meetings review for decisions. 
• Facilitate play and art therapy, psychoeducation session at the CFS and community level.
• Ensure proper management of the child friendly spaces (CFS) and smooth running of psychosocial activities within the settlement/camp are functional.
• Participate in crisis response, provide crisis counselling to individuals and/or groups during emergencies and after critical incidents, and ensure follow up support.
• Empower and support structures that enable children and their caregivers to participate in decision-making and understand their rights through dissemination of relevant, child friendly information at the community level.
• Submit timely weekly, monthly, quarterly & annual reports to the Protection Team Leader
• Support the realization of DRC Localization strategy by participating in Partner Identification process, Partner Capacity Assessment sessions and Project close-out meetings.

R2. Coordination and Networking:

• Maintain and strengthen existing networks through other service providers at the camp level, to ensure that survivors receive quality services and support both at the agency levels.
• Actively participate in scheduled meetings such as the Case Conferences, inter-agency meetings and as assigned.
• Strengthen existing referral systems and identify new networks to work with to ensure holistic support to the clients.
• Work in close collaboration with the prevention team to ensure ongoing needs of at-risk groups, children are being met in the prevention related activities.
• In collaboration with other partners, improve psychosocial interventions within the refugee community focusing on the psychosocial needs of adolescent youth and children.
• Facilitate training for key stakeholders on child protection standards, children rights, case management and psychosocial support.

R3. Community Engagement and Outreach:

• Facilitate formation of support groups for teenage mothers and other vulnerable children.
• Identify and strengthen Community structures through engaging community leaders, camp management and other stakeholders to ensure that the survivors receive adequate support at the community level.
• Support the Pediatric Officer and PC Assistants, in dissemination of relevant information during the feedback meetings and forums with children.
• Implement DRC child protection activities aimed at building the capacity and resilience of children and adolescents. 

R4. Monitoring and Evaluation:

• Assist in preparing daily, monthly, quarterly and annual reports, progress notes, and treatment plans on time 
• Use appropriate data collection tools and submit assessments and reports in a timely and accurate manner    
• Work closely with the refugee staff to ensure quality reporting   
• Ensure Core Humanitarian Standards are mainstreamed in the day to day project implementation 
• Attend relevant training forums relevant to the job 
• Assist with any other related activities as deemed necessary by the supervisor

R5. Staff supervision and Development:

• Provide supervision to the Para counsellors and ensure effective provision of Psycho-social services.
• Conduct continuous performance/evaluation for the Para counsellors working under her/him.
• Conduct regular case conference meetings with the Para-counsellors both at individual and group levels.
• Participate in regular supervision session for counselors and case workers.

Experience and technical competencies:  

• At least 2 years’ hands on experience in providing psychosocial support and counseling to children survivors of trauma, SGBV and other children at risk.
• Must be a Licensed Counsellor. (Registered with relevant counselling body eg Kenya Counsellors and Psychologist Association)
• Must have in depth technical expertise in case management and psychosocial support -pediatric counseling to children at risk including Unaccompanied children and separated children (UASCs)
• Experience in providing trauma counseling 
• Experience and technical knowledge in establishing community-based child protection networks including foster careers, committees etc.
• Knowledge of international and national child protection standards and instruments 
• Experience and proven ability to work as part of a team and lead teams to strive for result
• Excellent analytical and writing skills; cultural sensitivity and respect for diversity
• Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to establish effective working relations with local partners and other stakeholders
• Experience and willingness to work in the field and proficient in the use of computer/email/internet  

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree in (Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Counselling Psychology

Language:

• Fluent in written and spoken English and Swahili.

DRC’s Core competencies: 
All DRC roles require the post-holder to master the DRC’s core competencies below: 

• Striving for excellence: you focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process.
• Collaborating: you involve relevant parties and encourage feedback.
• Taking the lead: you take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.
• Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly.
• Demonstrating integrity: you Uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.