Protection Assistant (Psycho-Social Support)

Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a leading protection agency with a mandate to protect, advocate and promote durable solutions for displacement affected populations.

DRC has been operating in Ukraine since 2014, currently DRC employs over 800 staff in Ukraine and implements emergency response in the Protection, Livelihoods, Shelter/NFIs and Humanitarian Disarmament and Peacebuilding (humanitarian mine action) sectors, using direct interventions, support to duty bearers and civil society organizations (CSOs), and partnerships with CSOs. DRC will continue and adapt its durable solutions portfolio to the evolving context.

DRC is currently looking for Protection Assistant (Psycho-Social Support Assistant) in Kharkiv.

About The Job

Under the supervision of the Protection Team Leader, the PSS Assistant will help ensure the quality delivery of activities for vulnerable groups and conflict-affected populations in Kharkiv oblast. This role includes conducting needs assessments, developing action plans, and providing safe referrals. The PSS Assistant will organise and facilitate awareness-raising and group sessions and individual psychological counselling; the role requires close cooperation with other DRC departments and external partners to ensure timely, effective, and client-centred support, in compliance with high standards of confidentiality, professionalism, and commitment to humanitarian principles.

Your main duties and responsibilities will be:

• Conduct individual psychosocial support sessions in accordance with the DRC methodology.
• Conduct structured group psychosocial support sessions to foster mutual support, resilience, psychological well-being, and the development of positive coping strategies among target groups.
• Develop and help deliver awareness-raising sessions on psychosocial and gender-based violence (GBV) issues, including topics such as stress management, emotional regulation, available mental health and GBV protection services, coping skills, and violence prevention strategies, using a gender-sensitive approach.
• Facilitate referrals to relevant services in coordination with other service providers, such as medical staff, social workers, and legal and psychosocial support services, in line with inter-agency referral protocols.
• Conduct ongoing monitoring and assessment of psychosocial and specific needs, including consultations with target groups and interviews with key stakeholders, to ensure that services remain aligned with community needs.
• Ensure proper data documentation and regularly update the services mapping system in line with PSS case management guidance, while maintaining strict confidentiality, data security, and adherence to ethical standards.
• Participate in developing and continuously updating the services mapping system with detailed information on available services and assistance in DRC's area of operation, with a particular focus on mental health support and GBV protection services.
  
  

About You

To be successful in this role we expect you to have at least 1 year of experience in the psychological field, preferably with an NGO (implementing humanitarian, social, or psychological programmes). A strong interest in, or experience working with, conflict-affected populations, as well as the ability to communicate effectively with people under stress, is required. You should have excellent organisational, analytical, and interpersonal skills, along with a strong sense of personal integrity and commitment to confidentiality and ethical standards. Moreover, we also expect the following:

Required

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Psychology.
• At least 1 year of experience conducting individual psychosocial support counselling sessions.
• Experience facilitating group psychosocial support sessions.
• Ability to speak openly about sensitive topics and to work with people under stress.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Internet Explorer, Outlook/Exchange, and the Windows operating system.
• Knowledge of Ukrainian.
  
  

Desirable:

• Experience in humanitarian work.
• Previous experience working in communities, implementing psychosocial support activities, conducting awareness-raising sessions, and providing services to vulnerable groups.
• A strong sense of personal integrity and understanding of confidentiality and ethical principles.
• Basic knowledge of English.
  
  

In this role, we expect you to demonstrate DRC's five core competencies:

• Striving for excellence: focusing on achieving results while ensuring an efficient process.
• Collaborating: involving relevant parties and encouraging feedback.
• Taking the lead: taking ownership and initiative while striving for innovation.
• Communicating: listening and speaking effectively and honestly.
• Demonstrating integrity: upholding and promoting the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in line with DRC's values and Code of Conduct, including the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment.
  
  

We offer:

• Contract length: 3-month probationary period, with the possibility of extension subject to funding availability and performance.
• Band: I non-manager.
• Designation of Duty Station: Kharkiv.
• Start date: October 2026.
  
  

Salary and conditions of employment are determined in accordance with the Terms of Employment for National Staff of the Danish Refugee Council and start from EUR 1,465 gross per month (depending on experience and qualifications).

Application Process

All candidates must upload a cover letter and an updated CV (no more than four pages) in English through the system.

Applications sent by email will not be considered.

Application deadline: 24 September 2026.