Psychosocial Support Team Member (Lay Counsellor) at Committed To Good (CTG)

Committed To Good (CTG) is an award-winning private sector company that enables humanitarian and development projects in conflict zones. As a people solutions business, we recruit, deploy and manage the right people with the right skills to implement projects in the world’s toughest regions.

Having worked in more than 25 fragile and conflict-affected countries, we pride ourselves on hiring 90% local employees, providing decent, dignified work and new opportunities in fragile communities. 90% of our turnover goes back into the local economy.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Psychosocial Support Team Member (Lay Counsellor)

Vacancy ID:  VAC-9715
Location: Katsina
Start date: 01-Jun-2023

Overview of Position

• Under the overall supervision of the MHPSS / Protection Program Manager & the direct supervision of the National Program Officer (MHPSS) & closely coordinating with the Protection Officers (Gender Based Violence (GBV), Mainstreaming & Counter Trafficking (CT)), the successful candidates’ primary role will be to implement MHPSS / protection activities in Katsina state, as member of the Psychosocial Support (PSS) team.

Role Objectives

• Conduct MHPSS & protection assessments in coordination with the Protection Assistant & MHPSS National Program Officer.
• Map existing & available support provisions at the micro level, including but not limited to existing community structures & resources, relevant government (govt.) ministries & parastatal services, health facilities, academic institutions, NGOs, CBOs, FBOs, as well as UN entities & design, together with the supervisor, initiatives to reinforce their capacity.
• Develop an intervention plan in coordination with the Project Assistant & provide tailored MHPSS & protection services to the affected populations based on the needs, concerns & other risk factors identified during the MHPSS / protection assessment.
• Provide emotional & psychological support, including supportive communication, individual & group counselling as well as Psychological First Aid (PFA) to the affected population in need.
• Provide direct assistance to the most vulnerable individuals & families of the affected populations, such as women, children, the elderly, persons living with disabilities, survivors of violence & socially marginalized or excluded persons.
• Follow up on the integration of the abductees / escapees & their families into community life.
• Organize, together with the Social Worker of the PSS team, sensitization, information dissemination sessions (messages related to health, psychosocial concerns, GBV, PSEA & TiP) & problem solving group sessions on identified social problems encountered by the affected individuals & communities.
• Strengthen existing social networks & promote participatory initiatives aimed at activating protective, restorative & transformative psychosocial factors at the community level, such as mutual support, intra & inter family cooperation, public gatherings, peer to peer support & dialogue.
• Identify cases that require specialized intervention & refer them to the appropriate service providers in close coordination with the Protection Assistant & MHPSS National Program Officer & respond to cases referred by other organizations.
• Organize support & discussion groups & forums & coordinate with the PSS team members as to the need to integrate vulnerable individuals within the psychosocial groups’ activities.
• In coordination with the Protection Assistant & MHPSS National Program Officer, provide technical guidance, capacity building training & supervision to community focal points, community structures & volunteers in the concerned communities, ensuring that the program’s activities are effectively communicated & carried out in participatory & inclusive ways.
• Report daily activities.
• Undertake duty travel to very challenging areas when necessary.
• Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Project Reporting:

• This role will work under the overall supervision of the MHPSS / Protection Program Manager & the direct supervision of the National Program Officer (MHPSS) & closely coordinating with the Protection Officers (Gender Based Violence (GBV), Mainstreaming & Counter Trafficking (CT)).

Key Competencies

• University Degree from accredited institutions in Social Sciences, Social Work, Psychology, or in a related field or an equivalent combination of education, training & experience.
• Minimum of 3 years of relevant experience, including capacity building functions within the humanitarian field.
• Experience in the provision of MHPSS services (including (lay) counselling, individual & group support sessions, PFA & emotional support) to displaced & conflict affected individuals & communities.
• Open & positive attitude & ability to communicate in a trustful manner with all members of the affected community.
• Genuine care & respect for the needs of vulnerable populations with a strong belief in empowering marginalized & disenfranchised people.
• High integrity & willingness to conduct her / himself transparently & open to scrutiny.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, ability to work under pressure, with minimal supervision & in a culturally diverse team.
• Strong interpersonal skills & demonstrated ability to establish effective & trustful working relations with local staff & other stakeholders.
• Excellent analytical & communication skills.
• Ability to independently carry out tasks, proactivity, ability to multi task & to prioritize.
• Knowledge of social & development issues in Nigeria, particularly within the area of responsibility.
• Excellent report writing skills.
• Written & spoken English.
• Written & spoken Hausa.
• Knowledge of Fulfulbe is an advantage.
• Inclusion & respect for diversity respect & promote individual & cultural differences, encourage diversity & inclusion wherever possible.
• Maintain high ethical standards & acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles / rules & standards of conduct.
• Demonstrates the ability to work in a composed, competent & committed manner & exercises careful judgment in meeting day to day challenges.
• Develops & promotes effective collaboration within & across units to achieve shared goals & optimize results.
• Delivering results produces & delivers quality results in a service oriented & timely manner, is action oriented & committed to achieving agreed outcomes.
• Managing & sharing knowledge continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge & innovate.
• Takes ownership for achieving the organization’s priorities & assumes responsibility for own actions & delegated work.
• Encourages & contributes to clear & open communication, explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring & motivational way.
• Provides a clear sense of direction, leads by example & demonstrates the ability to carry out the organization’s vision, assists others to realize & develop their potential.
• Empowering others & building trust creates an atmosphere of trust & an enabling environment where staff can contribute their best & develop their potential.
• Work strategically to realize the organization’s goals & communicates a clear strategic direction.

Application Closing Date
16th May, 2023.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online