PSS Animator– Education Program

Background of the Project: 

The project “Promoting the Right to Education for All- Investing in a Community of Educated, Autonomous Citizens in South Lebanon” aims at broadening the prospects for vulnerable populations in three communities in South Lebanon through improved access to education (Improving the learning performances, enhancing the learning environment, engaging the local community in the promotion of education). 

The project will benefit 800 children, youth, and caregivers from the most vulnerable populations in South Lebanon. Of these 800, 600 will be children (between the ages of 6 and 14), 100 youth (between 15 and 24 years old), and 100 adults (25 years and older), mainly caregivers of the children participating in the activities. 

The 600 children, 400 children attend school and 200 do not attend school (They are taught Basic Literacy and Numeracy (BLN) to give them the basic tools to continue their education). 

The youth will participate in project activities, especially Youth Basic Literacy Numeracy (YBLN), transferable skills training, psychosocial support, and community committees and initiatives as needed. These are usually young people who have difficulties finding work or educational opportunities. The adults are targeted through project activities, especially Adult Basic Literacy Numeracy (ABLN), transferable skills training, psychosocial support, and community committees and initiatives as needed. The target group is illiterate adults who have not gone to school or have dropped out of primary education. They will mostly be from the refugee community and will usually be the caregivers of the students enrolled in the project activities. 

Assignment

The PSS Animator is based in the project implementation center in the south (Tyre and Bazourieh). She/He works under the direct supervision of the field officer, the field coordinator, and the project coordinator. 

Objective: To effectively implement the PSS (Psychosocial Support) program, ensuring the well-being and development of all participants in the project by providing high-quality recreational activities, and maintaining a safe environment.

Task #1: Providing high-quality and structured recreational activities:  

- Implement recreational activities according to the PSS monthly plan designed with the social worker & the psychologist for the children enrolled in schools;

- Use and develop efficient playful methods to keep the children’s attention (ex: active learning, learning by doing, etc.);

- Encourage the children’s cooperation and self-learning (peer to peer, tutoring, mutual help, etc.) to develop children’s readiness for learning;

- Establish routines with the students’ during “activities time”, whether online or face-to-face activities (introduction, warm up activities, revision of previous activities, transition, conclusion, etc.).

Task #2: Protection: 

- To be fully aware of Amel’s Code of Conduct and Safeguarding policies and procedures and to ensure its implementation;

- Maintain positive discipline practices ensuring that children feel comfortable, safe and respected;

- To support the social worker / psychologist in engaging the children in the activities (communication skills);

- Be ready to support in the organization of any specific activities to respond to urgent needs;

- To implement continuously the protective measures for health protection.

Task #3: Monitoring & evaluation 

- Design relevant tools to assess the activities’ results (pre/posttest, personal observations, focus group discussion, etc.)

- To monitor the attendance of the children on a daily basis (each session)

- To report to the field officer & social worker the results on time 

Task #4: Coordination: 

- Coordinate daily with the project team members to adapt the collective response to the children’s needs (coherent response with social worker, psychologist, etc.)

- To send clear pictures of the activities on the common WhatsApp group;

- Take initiative to find collective solutions to challenges due to context / situation changes and adapt the project’s activities according to the projects’s goal (coordination meetings);

- To ensure smooth referrals with the social worker/psychologist for individual cases (internal referral pathways);

- To be continuously updated on the education updates (national, and local updates with the public schools, MEHE, NGOs etc.) and relay information to relevant team members.

Task #5: Professional Development:

- Participates in internal and external related training as requested by Amel.

- The PSS animator may support additional tasks and carry other responsibilities that are not mentioned above, depending on the needs of the education program.

Qualifications, Skills and Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work, education, or a related field.
• At least 2 years of experience working with children, Youth and caregivers in a psychosocial activities.
• Experience in implementing recreational activities and utilizing playful learning methods.
• Familiarity with child protection policies and procedures.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, especially in engaging children.
• Strong organizational skills to plan and coordinate activities effectively.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team.
• Adaptability and resilience to address challenges in dynamic environments.

Working Conditions: 

4 days per week (from 2 pm- to 7 pm)