Safe Healing and Learning Space (SHLS) Facilitator

Job Description

Background/IRC Summary:

The Syria crisis is often described as the worst humanitarian catastrophe since the end of the Cold War. Today, 13.4 million people in Syria - more than half of the country's population - are in need of humanitarian assistance with needs increasingly being exacerbated by economic decline. Of these, 6.8 million are refugees and asylum-seekers who have fled the country. This is no short-term humanitarian episode. The devastating human consequences to huge numbers of people will endure for decades. The destruction of relationships, communities, livelihoods, homes and infrastructure will take years to repair.

IRC is offering a robust humanitarian response to the Syria crisis a rapidly expanding portfolio, supported by more than 1000+ staff in Syria Country Program. IRC is undertaking programs in Syria and the neighboring countries of Turkey, Iraq, Lebanon and Jordan in the fields of health, child protection, early childhood development, education, women’s protection and empowerment, non-food items and food distribution, cash assistance, water and sanitation, protection and rule of law, and livelihood programming. Our work in these challenging settings gives rise to some of the most pressing issues facing contemporary humanitarian action, including questions of access, security, funding and coordination.

Job Overview/Summary:

Following the displacement of Syrians in Deir-ez-Zor Governorate, the International Rescue Committee intends to establish a Safe Healing and Learning Space (SHLS) for children in Al-Hol camp The Safe Learning and Healing Spaces will provide children with psychosocial, educational, and age-appropriate support (6-11) through group activities.

Responsibilities:

- Attend trainings organized by the IRC. - Adhere to the Code of Conduct every day – in SHLS and in community - Facilitate recreational activities for children. - Create space and stimulating learning environment for children through utilizing teaching and learning materials throughout the lessons. - Follow and implement the IRC curricula and lessons targeting children accurately. - Collect data as required by SHLS Officer and the M&E Officer - Come to the SHLS every day prepared to engage in positive way with children. - Take children’s attendance for each session - Prepare activity plan on a weekly basis - Observe children with special needs and ensure they are well integrated into the activities and if needed refer them to relevant services - Answer questions from community members and parents about what activities are taking place in the SHLS - Attend special information sessions planned for community members and parents - Develop schedules for daily/weekly activities for children/youth - Ensure that all children and youth are safe from harm - Report supply/material needs to the SHLS Leader - Communicate with local authorities and community leaders about the Parenting Program to ensure community acceptance - Conduct needs assessment (if relevant) - Organize communication events about the program and identify the beneficiaries to the program - Implement the Parenting Program training sessions carefully following the instructions in the manual - Attending and actively participating in all training sessions organized by the IRC – including taking pre/post-tests as instructed. - Attend all sessions in your SHLS (minimum 90% attendance required). - Accurately keep attendance records of children at each session. - Complete observations or weekly reports as requested by supervisor. - Remain open to feedback from SHLS Leaders and IRC staff.

Qualifications

- Preferably a university degree or equivalent in education, social work, human rights, or a related degree. - Completion of secondary education is required. - 1-2 years of experience working in child protection programs, ideally with non-governmental organizations. - Qualified teacher with teaching experience in primary and elementary school. - Previous experience in an emergency or conflict-afflicted setting is required.

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

- A commitment to IRC’s mission, vision, values, and IRC Way – Professional Code of Conduct. - Demonstrated understanding of working with children and particularly vulnerable children - Personal qualities: Team player, flexible, strong communication skills with children and caregivers, analytical skills, network-builder, able to handle pressure well and work in cross-cultural setting.

Language/Travel:

Fluency in Arabic is required; Kurdish is desirable.

Travel: 100% to field sites in Al Hol Camp as well as attending regional and global workshops, trainings, and meetings.

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to: Child Protection Officer Position directly supervises: N/A

Indirect Reporting (If applicable): Child Protection Manager Key Internal Contacts: WPE, Child Protection, PROL, Health team members

Key External Contacts: Communities, service providers

Professional Standards: IRC staff must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way – Global Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability and Equality. In accordance with these values, IRC operates and carries out policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti-Workplace Harassment, Respect at Work Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

Returning National Candidates: We strongly encourage national or returning national candidates to apply for this position. If you are a citizen of the Country in which this position is based and are currently located outside of your home country and possess over two years of international work experience, the Middle East Region has introduced an attractive remuneration package. The package includes competitive compensation, return flight to post, shipping allowance, temporary housing, and a relocation allowance. Certain restrictions may apply. IRC strives to attract, motivate, and retain qualified national staff in our programs.

Accountability to Clients: IRC staff must adhere to the commitment of contributing to the sustainability and development of its (CR) Client Responsiveness Mechanisms, preserving the culture of prioritizing the needs of our clients and affected communities by systematically listening to their perspectives and using their feedback to make programmatic decisions and give them greater influence over program design and delivery.

Gender Equality: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances.

Diversity and Inclusion: at IRC MENA, we are passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. Organizations that are diverse in age, gender identity, race, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability, ethnicity, nationality, and perspective are validated to be better organizations. More importantly, creating a safe workspace environment where everyone, from any background, can do their best is the right thing to do. So, bring your whole self to work.

IRC is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, respectful and safe work environment where all persons are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. In keeping with our core values of Integrity, Service, Accountability and Equality, IRC strives to maintain a work environment built on mutual respect in which all individuals treat each other professionally, and free of bias, prejudice, and harassment. IRC expressly prohibits and will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or bullying of IRC Persons in any work setting. All IRC staff, wherever they are located, are accountable for creating an environment free of discrimination, harassment, bullying, and retaliation.