Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) / Protection Officer at the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS)

The Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) is an international non-governmental organisation with a mission to accompany, serve, and advocate for the rights of refugees and forcibly displaced people. The organisation was founded in November 1980 and has a presence in over 50 countries. JRS undertakes services at national and regional levels with the support and guidance of an international office in Rome.

The style of JRS service is human and spiritual, working in situations of greatest need, seeking the long-term wellbeing of refugees and displaced persons, while not neglecting their immediate or urgent needs. JRS offers opportunities to a wide variety of staff, local and international, while maintaining a realistic and localised scheme of salary/stipend, insurance, etc.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

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

Location: Monguno, Borno
Job Type: Full Time

Job Summary

• We are recruiting for the position of MHPSS/Protection Officer to be based in Monguno LGA of Borno State in preparation for anticipated funding from the European Commission Directorate for Humanitarian Aid (ECHO) for projects to be implemented in Dikwa and Monguno LGAs of Borno State, Nigeria.
• Under the direct supervision of Project Director with technical assistance from the Regional MHPSS Officer, the MHPSS/Protection Officer of the project will be responsible for ensuring the delivery of high-quality MHPSS and protection services to target beneficiaries, oversight, lead, and coordinate protection activities (awareness creation, case management and referral).
• S/He will provide counselling, mentorship, and guidance on the projects, in compliance with IASC MHPSS guidelines and JRS MHPSS strategy.
• The MHPSS/Protection Officer will respect the principle of confidentiality of the information received during the activities.
• The position holder will be responsible for initiating, directing, and coordinating all Protection and MHPSS activities in Monguno and Dikwa (Borno).

Key Responsibilities
Role / Mission:

• Lead all implementation of Mental Health and Psychosocial activities including Strategies for Trauma Awareness & Resilience (STAR) training to target beneficiaries along with providing basic emotional regulation exercises to release trauma stress patterns.
• Establish and maintain a recordkeeping system to keep confidential information (including questionnaires, histories, critical incidents, beneficiaries ‘communication) about beneficiaries.
• Ensure that JRS’s Mental Health and Psychosocial support approaches and interventions are delivered effectively.
• Provide psychoeducation and clinical supervision to staff members and case managers.
• Attend Psychosocial Review Meetings and provide support to beneficiaries involved.
• Develop appropriate referral pathways between case managers, partners, other organizations including specialized mental health and utilize these agreed referral pathways for critical incidents to ensure effective and efficient case management process.
• Write a monthly summary report highlighting achievements against indicators, trainings conducted, lessons learnt, challenges, and recommendations including success highlights, feedback from participants, and recommendations for the next stages of JRS’s program (sent to line supervisor).
• Attend MHPSS local coordination meetings for information sharing, collaboration with other INGOs/ NGOs, sector working groups, government partners and other relevant stakeholders to develop, implement and monitor referral pathways for those in need of mental health and psychosocial support.
• Support psychosocial needs assessment among the affected populations using internationally validated tools. Work with local health authorities, Program Coordinators, medical staff, and Team Leader to design and implement a MEAL system for reporting the MHPSS outcomes.
• Make frequent site visits to facilities to ensure that appropriate care and training are being conducted.
• The Officer will also support and debrief staff on psychosocial recommendations from noted issues that arise during his/her work, identify and address professional development needs.
• Work collaboratively with the Regional MHPSS Officer in performing tasks and activities.
• Ensure ethical and confidential data collection during, case management, monitoring and evaluation.
• Monitor the progress of the program and identify any delays that have been or may be expected.
• Ensure linkage, coordination and sharing of information on activities with national NGOs, international organizations, donors and the government.
• Participate in Protection Cluster (including GBV and CP AoRs) meetings and other humanitarian coordination meetings as will be assigned by the Project Director from time to time.
• Ensure completion of 5 Ws of the Protection Cluster
• Promote PSEA and safeguarding standards within JRS and amongst the beneficiaries it serves.

Required Profile
Qualification:

• University Degree or equivalent in any Social Science related field. A Master’s Degree will be an added advantage.

Experience and Skills:

• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience with at least 3 years in Programs in INGOs
• Significant previous experience in similar programming working with IDPs and Refugees.
• Good analytical and writing skills.
• Extensive knowledge of MS office.
• Ability to work in stressful locations, under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Knowledge of humanitarian actors.
• Excellent communication skills to manage relationships.
• Flexible and adaptable to the needs of the team and organization.
• Familiarity with IASC MHPSS guidelines and other international protocols
• Experience in PFA, mh-GAP, STAR models and other evidence based mental health intervention.
• Experience in implementing ECHO projects.
• Good knowledge and understanding of DO NO HARM principles and established international child protection standards.
• Strong ability to work independently, organize work, meet deadlines, maintain composure, prioritize work under pressure, coordinate multiple tasks and maintain attention to details.
• Experience working in emergency settings (deep field), particularly in Northeast Nigeria.
• Previous experience of working in Monguno, and good knowledge of key stakeholders in the area are desirable.
• Kanuri and/or additional local language skills are required.
• Women are strongly encouraged to apply.
• To fill this vacancy, preference is given to Borno State indigenes.

Qualities:

• Adhere to JRS values and abide by the code of conduct and other policies.
• Good command of the English language (written and oral).
• Proven work experience in multicultural and stressful environments.
• Ability to adapt to working conditions and tasks that may change with the reality of the field.
• Ability to communicate with impact and respect.
• Honesty and integrity.

Application Closing Date
7th May, 2023.