Psychosocial Support Assistant

Location: Kakuma Field Office

Reporting to: Education Officer

Date: July 2026

Description

The Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) is an international Catholic organisation with a mission to accompany, serve, and advocate on behalf of refugees and other forcibly displaced persons, that they may heal, learn, and determine their own future. Founded in November 1980 as a work of the Society of Jesus, JRS was officially registered on 19 March 2000 in Vatican City as a foundation. JRS is present in over 56 countries worldwide, providing services to more than 811,884 individuals. The work is overseen by 10 regional offices with support from the International Office in Rome. In Kenya, JRS has two projects: an urban refugee project in Nairobi focusing on Education and Livelihoods, and a field project in Kakuma Refugee Camp focusing on Education, an Integrated psychosocial inclusive Education programme in Centres, and supporting DRC-managed Safe Shelters.

Operational Context/Role

This position will provide technical oversight and implementation of a comprehensive PSS-focused intervention. The incumbent will report to the MHPSS coordinator and the Kakuma Education Officer and work in collaboration with program staff. She/He will be actively involved in planning, monitoring, implementation, and evaluation of the Safe Shelter activities and takes responsibility and attention to individual beneficiaries’ concerns.

Job Purpose:

The Psychosocial Support Assistant will work under the general guidance of the Education Officer and will support the implementation of psychosocial support and mental health interventions within the programme department.

The incumbent will support JRS in achieving project objectives by ensuring high-quality, timely, and client-centred psychosocial support services. The role supports the day-to-day implementation, follow-up, monitoring, and reporting of psychosocial interventions, ensuring that all activities meet JRS standards, donor requirements, safeguarding principles, and the needs of beneficiaries.

The post-holder will work under the supervision of Education Officer to support case management processes, community-based psychosocial activities, referrals, documentation, and the identification of emerging psychosocial needs while ensuring confidentiality, compliance, and effective support to vulnerable individuals and groups.

Reporting to the Education Officer, the Psychosocial Support Assistant will be based in Kakuma Field Office. This is a fixed term contract typefor One (1) Year with possibility for extension subject to availability of funds and individual performance.

Child Safeguarding and PSEA commitments

JRS has zero tolerance towards all forms of sexual exploitation and abuse and takes seriously all concerns and complaints about sexual exploitation and abuse against children and vulnerable adults by JRS personnel. JRS is committed to Safeguard children and vulnerable adults and has policies which outline the expected behaviour, code of conduct and responsibility of all persons acting on behalf of JRS (Staff, consultants, volunteers, interns, Pastoral team, and other representatives). All staff working for JRS are expected to abide by these policies and guideline.

Key Result Areas

Key Duties & Responsibilities

1. Program Quality & Cohesive Shelter Environment

• Foster a supportive and integrated community by designing and implementing structured programs that measurably improve cohesiveness and positive behavioral norms among Safe Shelter residents.
• Ensure high-quality, standardized PSS support by facilitating PSS programming across sectors, leading to consistent and effective service delivery for all beneficiaries.
• Create a safe and therapeutic haven by developing and implementing age-appropriate activities, resulting in a documented increase in residents' sense of safety and social well-being

2. Staff & Caregiver Capacity Building

• Enhance staff competency in protection services by conducting regular PSS trainings, resulting in a measurable improvement in staff skills for case management and psychological first aid.
• Strengthen family support systems by providing technical guidance and training to parents and community leaders, leading to improved parenting skills and a more supportive environment for children with disabilities.
• Build a peer support network for caregivers by establishing and facilitating monthly PSS group therapy sessions, reducing reported levels of caregiver stress and isolation.

3. Holistic Support for Vulnerable Children & Families

• Provide comprehensive, direct PSS care by offering individual and group therapy to caregivers and new parents, leading to improved coping mechanisms and mental well-being.
• Enable targeted interventions for children with disabilities by supporting vulnerability assessments and conducting joint home visits, ensuring support plans are tailored to the child's home environment.
• Promote inclusive and aware communities by facilitating community conversations, resulting in increased community acceptance and support for the inclusion of children with disabilities.

4. Evidence-Based Programming & Organizational Learning

• Generate evidence for program improvement by documenting monthly participation and outcomes, producing analytical reports with actionable recommendations to enhance impact.
• Contribute to institutional knowledge and best practices by participating in activity reporting and lessons learned exercises, ensuring program adaptations are informed by direct experience

Person Specification – Essential Requirements

Qualification and Desired Competencies

• Undergraduate degree in counselling psychology, counselling, or social work with a diploma in counselling.
• At least 4 years of working experience in a humanitarian or development background
• Excellent creativity and communication skills, especially with children.
• Experience of community-based or community mobilization work in a humanitarian context is a strong advantage.
• High professional ethics.
• Flexible, enthusiastic, and willing to learn from others.
• Demonstrated experience and commitment to working with marginalized communities.
• Ability to build effective partnerships and collaborate with other team members
• Good understanding and commitment to humanitarian relief work and international development.
• High degree of discretion, tact, and confidentiality in dealing with internal and external clients and stakeholders at all levels.
• Demonstrated ability and experience of working in a multi-cultural environment with good multicultural sensitivities and in a flexible environment.
• Good understanding of and compatibility with the values of JRS;
• Commitment to JRS’s mission, vision, and values; the ability to convey with enthusiasm JRS’s role in accompanying and serving forcibly displaced people and to advocate for their right to protection and a life in dignity.
• High integrity, honesty, and confidentiality; ability to deal tactfully and discreetly with people, situations, and information.
• Acceptance of diversity and inclusion as a core value;

Qualities

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling JRS’ values and ethical standards and acts in accordance with the JRS Code of conduct.
• Displays cultural, Gender religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
• Treat everyone fairly

Core Values

• Commitment to JRS mission, vision and values, and the ability to convey with enthusiasm JRS’s role in accompanying and serving forcibly displaced people and in advocating for their right to protection and a life in dignity.
• High integrity, honesty, and confidentiality; ability to deal tactfully and discreetly with situations, people, and information.
• Acceptance of diversity and inclusion.
• Willingness to work in flexible, sub-optimal, stressful, and unstable environments.

JRS Commitment

JRS is committed to creating an inclusive and equitable work environment. We prohibit discrimination against any candidate or employee based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, marital status, or any other legally protected status. All hiring decisions are based on merit, qualifications, and organizational needs, and we are dedicated to fair treatment in all stages of recruitment and employment. We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds to enrich our organization with their unique perspectives and experiences

Salary Level and Benefits

• This position is graded at job Group 5.
• KES 104,658 Gross per month.
• Principal Medical Cover
• Contributory Pension Scheme

How to apply

Only short-listed candidates who meet the minimum qualification and shortlisting criteria will be contacted. To Apply, Click Here

Job details

Country

• Kenya

Source

• Jesuit Refugee Service

Type

• Job

Career category

• Other

Years of experience

• 3-4 years

Theme

• Health