Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Officer at Save the Children Nigeria

Save the Children is the leading independent organization for children in need, with programs in over 120 countries. We save children’s lives. We fight for their rights. We help them fulfil their potential. Save the Children is working in Nigeria because one in five children in Nigeria dies before their fifth birthday. About 40% of children miss out on school and have to work to survive while nearly 2 million children have lost one or both parents to an AIDS-related disease.

We are recruiting to fill the position of:

Job Title: Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Officer

Refence ID: 210002I4
Location: Damaturu, Yobe
Employee Status: Fixed Term
Grade: 4
Contract Length: 9 Months

Child Safeguarding

• Level 3.  The responsibilities of this post may require the post holder to have regular contact with children and young people. In the overseas context all posts are considered to be level 3.
• As part of these responsibilities the post holder will support the establishment of child safeguarding systems, promote a culture of keeping children safe, and ensure that potential harm to children (by our own staff and/or as a result of how we do our work) is identified and addressed on an ongoing basis.  The post holder should report and respond to interventions as determined by position related responsibilities identified in the Child Safeguarding Policy.

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 various services such as education and water, sanitation and hygiene services. SC currently works in seven LGAs in Yobe, Damaturu, Bade, Gujba, Fika, Fune, Jakusko, and Potiskum and plans to expand to other locations
• The purpose of this position is two-fold: 1) 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 2) 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.

Scope Of Role:

• Reports to: CPiE Coordinator
• Staff reporting to this post: None
• Budget responsibility: none

Key Areas Of Accountability
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
• In collaboration with program manager and the child protection team, carry out regular supervision to ensure that activities are relevant and are in line with SCI objectives

Proposed Outputs:

• Individual counselling sessions with children and beneficiaries where required to discuss complex cases.  
• Conduct monthly and quarterly activity review sessions with beneficiaries to identify activities that are working and those that need improvement based on feedback from beneficaires.
• Support in integration of Gender Based Violance surviors into psychosocial support.  
• 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 CPiE 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.

Behaviours (Values In Practice)
Accountability:

• holds self accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values

Ambition:

• Sets ambitious and challenging goals for him or herself and their team, takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages their team to do the same
• Widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others
• Future orientated, thinks strategically and on a global scale.

Collaboration:

• Builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, Members and external partners and supporters
• Values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength
• Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to.

Creativity:

• Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions
• Willing to take disciplined risks.

Integrity:

• Honest, encourages openness and transparency; demonstrates highest levels of integrity

Qualifications  And Experience
Essential:

• Minimum of B.Sc in Psychology, Psychiatriic Nurse, and Medical social worker.
• Minimum 4 years post NYSC  cognant experience in clinical setting, NGO and INGO
• Experience in Psychological First Aid, and other psychosocial support (MHPSS) activities
• Experience working in Child Protection programs, including those with MHPSS component
• Experience working in north east Nigeria
• Fluent in English and Hausa is desirable
• Working knowledge of local languages in north-east nigeria such as Kanuri, Fulani, Kare-kare, Bolowe, Ngizim etc
• Excellent attention to detail, organisational skills and discretion with confidential information
• Ability to work independently and proactively

Desirable:

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

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.

Equal Opportunities

• The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with the SCI Equal Opportunities and Diversity policies and procedures.

Child Safeguarding:

• We need to keep children safe so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.

Health and Safety:

• The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with SCI Health and Safety policies and procedures.

Application Closing Date
23rd April, 2021.