MHPSS (Mental Health and Psychosocial Support) Officer at Save the Children Nigeria - Yobe

Save the Children is the leading independent organization for children in need, with programs in over 120 countries, including the United States. We aim to inspire breakthroughs in the way the world treats children, and to achieve immediate and lasting change in their lives by improving their health, education and economic opportunities. In times of acute crisis, we mobilize rapid assistance to help children recover from the effects of war, conflict and natural disasters. Each year, we and our partners reach millions of children in communities around the world.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: MHPSS (Mental Health and Psychosocial Support) Officer

Location: Yobe
Job type: Full time

Role Purpose

• Save the Children is an International Organization with a dual mandate of humanitarian and development work. It has been working for the rights of Children globally for over 90 years. Save the Children has been working in Nigeria since 2001 and has presence in 20 states
• Save the Children launched the humanitarian response in the North East Nigeria in 2014 and since then has drastically expanded its capacity to provide lifesaving assistance to people affected by the conflict.
• Its humanitarian response currently delivers integrated programmes to enhance food security, restore livelihoods, reduce malnutrition, improve psychosocial wellbeing, protect children, and improve access to education and water, sanitation and hygiene services. SC currently works in six LGAs in Borno, Maiduguri (MMC), Kaga, Magumeri, Mafa, Jere and Konduga, with past work in Biu and plans to expand to include Rann.
• The purpose of this position is two-fold:
  • To support the MHPSS unit to oversee quality improvements in Save the Children’s mental health and psychosocial support interventions for children affected by the conflict in NE Nigeria; and
  • To asssit the MHPSS unit in providing clinical intervention to children in distresss.
• The MHPSS Officer is required to travel to field sites regularly.
• In the event of a major humanitarian emergency, the role holder will be expected to work outside the normal role profile and be able to vary working hours accordingly.

Support to MHPSS programming activities to with CP

• Provide support, in the MHPSS Programming which include:
  • Ensuring assistance is provided to children affected by the conflict in a  dignified, respectful, equitable and inclusive manner that supports their resilience
  • Assisting children in acute distress and alleviating their stress, for instance ensuring that all staff / partners are trained on PFA and feel confident to use it
  • The mainstreaming of inter-agency guidelines (e.g. IASC MHPSS guidelines) and standards (e.g. CPMS) across the different sectors of programme activities delivered by SC and its partners
  • The use of structured and manualised MHPSS techniques
  • The participation of parents and caregivers in MHPSS activities
• Support structured MHPSS activities for groups of boys and girls of different age groups, with particular attention to survivors of SGBV, unaccompanied children and other children who present with signs of poor mental health and distress
• Identify MHPSS service providers and agree referral pathways for children with severe mental disorders

Proposed Outputs

• Individual counselling sessions with children and beneficiaries where required to discuss complex cases. 
• Be available on call/skype if any urgent matters arise that a staff would like to share regarding their casework or his/her personal well being
• Bi -monthly progress reports to the MHPSS Coordinator to highlight needs and gaps.
• Development of peer/reflective practises with teams
• Support current MHPSS practices, reflecting on a cross-sectoral approach.  
• Structured MHPSS activities for boys and girls, organised in age appropriate groups with a clear methodology or curriculum to promote mental well-being. Such activities must align with donor commitments in already-funded projects.

Additional Job Responsibilities

• The duties and responsibilities as set out above are not exhaustive and the role holder may be required to carry out additional duties within reasonableness of their level of skills and experience.

Qualifications and Experience

• Experience in humanitarian emergencies and/or a refugee/displacement-setting

Application Closing Date
25th December, 2018.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online