POSITION TITLE: Psychosocial Safety Trainer (Consultant) 

GRADE: Consultant (with the potential to become Part of Full Time Hire) 

REPORTS TO: SAFE Initiative Europe Center Manager 

LOCATION: Ukraine or Eastern Europe with unrestricted travel availability to Ukraine and the region 

ABOUT IREX  

IREX is an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to building a more just, prosperous, and inclusive world by empowering youth, cultivating leaders, strengthening institutions, and extending access to quality education and information. 

POSITION SUMMARY: 

The Psychosocial Trainer under the supervision of the Center Manager will be contracted to prepare and deliver regionally contextualized safety training and workshops to journalists, other media practitioners and social communicators in Ukraine. 

IREX  will prioritize applicants based in Ukraine or in Eastern Europe with unrestricted travel to Ukraine with experience working in the country/region. This is a consultancy position with a potential to become a part or full time hire. 

GENERAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• In coordination with the SAFE Initiative Europe Center Manager, Deputy Center Manager and other trainers prepare regionally appropriate training and workshop curriculum specifically tailored to the challenges of media professionals and social communicators in Ukraine 

• Deliver trainings in psychosocial safety for media professionals and social communicators including risk management, stress management, basic psychosocial planning, incident management, online violence and assertive communication 

• Ensure integrated approach to trainings and training activities (i.e., standard operating procedures and risk-mitigation strategies) through working closely with other program trainers, as well as other program staff and consultants.  

• Adapt, create and contextualize psychosocial safety lessons and methodology to suit participants’ needs and ensure integrated approach in training materials. 

• Coordinate with the Center Manager on needs assessment and risk assessment work prior to trainings.  

• Participate in debrief meetings after trainings if/when required  

• Monitor participants’ learning and performance during trainings/other psychosocial activities to provide inputs and feedback to MEL coordinator and Team during activities debriefs.  

• Coordinate with the Center Manager and Deputy Center Manager on risk-mitigation strategies and trainee follow-up on an as needed basis. 

• Report on activities as required by Center Manager. 

• Participate in meetings and/or calls with staff upon request 

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE 

• Sound knowledge in psychological interventions, usually demonstrated by a Masters, PsyD, or PhD in Psychology, other relevant academic degree, or qualifications that the employer considers to be equivalent.  

• Experience conducting trainings or group therapy and educative work, specifically training individuals in psychosocial care and safety. 

• Experience in designing trainings  

• Demonstrated understanding of adult learning techniques; knowledge and use of interactive methods in training.  

• Experience conducting trainings on creating security and/or emergency protocols is and asset.  

• In-depth knowledge of journalism sector as well as operating environment and media landscape in Ukraine specifically and Eastern Europe region at large.  

• Substantial experience working in high-risk environments or emergency situations preferred. 

• Must be open to learning and adapting training material for a holistic approach combining psychosocial, physical, digital curricula and risk management as well as piloting new adult learning techniques. 

• Ability to communicate professionally and provide written reporting in Ukrainian and English. Russian will be considered as a plus.

• Excellent cross-cultural communication, and interpersonal skills; and  

• Experience of working constructively as part of a small team.