MHPSS Training & Counselling Consultants at Grassroot Researchers Association (GRA) - 2 Openings

The Grassroots Researchers Association (GRA) is a non-profit organisation that facilitates community-led initiatives promoting gender equality and advancing the status of women and girls in northern Nigeria. GRA partners with local and international NGOs to support victim-led initiatives to prevent and respond to violence against women and girls, particularly survivors of CRSV, female genital mutilation/circumcision, E/FM, and persons living with disabilities in northeast Nigeria.

The German Federal Agency for Foreign Affairs awarded a one-year project to the Dr. Denis Mukwege Foundation (DMF) to implement the project titled “Strengthening survivor-led networks to support victims of conflict-related sexual violence from Nigeria, South Sudan, Uganda, and Ukraine." Grassroots Researchers Association (GRA) and Youth Initiative Against Terrorism (YIAT) will be implementing the Nigerian component of the project in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe State.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: MHPSS Training & Counselling Consultant

Reference Number: GFA/GRA/BAY/2023/011
Locations: Maiduguri - Borno & Yola - Adamawa
Employment Type: Contract
Consultancy Durations: Between 6 to 10 Days
No of Consultants: 2 MHPSS Consultant (One in each State)

Project Background

• Conflict-related sexual violence, especially against women and children, is a major issue. Like many states, Borno and Adamawa have suffered from conflict-related sexual violence. Mental and physical stress, stigma, and a lack of support resources plague survivors.
• Psychosocial support (MHPSS) is crucial to this effort, especially for survivors of conflict-related sexual gender-based abuse. The project's benchmark is the complete counselling group, training, and individual sessions provided to participants.
• This training programme helps recipients become better advocates, carers, and survivors rights champions. meant to empower Nigerian community members helping conflict-related sexual abuse survivors.
• NortheasternNigeriaconflict victims are receiving support from the project. Before, during, and after this project, MHPSS interventions are designed to improve mental health, reduce distress, and increase resilience.
• MHPSS Training & Counselling Consultants would helpsurvivors, leaders, and participants improve through the process. The Consultant would teach mental health and psychosocial needs assessment methodology and treatment. Through counselling, training, and advocacy, the consultant empowers participants to act.

Objective of the Assignment

• To help CRSV survivors and communities to address mental health and psychosocial issues by increasing their skills and ability in trauma-informed care, advocacy, and community resiliencefostering informed advocacy.

Specific Objective

• Training: Aims to enhance CRSV survivors' ability to recognise, assess, and address mental health and psychosocial needs.
• Counselling: Offer training on counselling to the participants to equip them torelieve suffering andimprovemental health by strengthening the resilience of other survivorsand towork towards reducing the stigma associated with mental health issues.
• Advocate: Communicate the significance of MHPSS for CRSV survivors. Promote the incorporation of MHPSS into community programmes and interventions.
• Evaluation: Establish monitoring and evaluation procedures for MHPSS for CRSV survivors to identify areas for improvement and provide recommendations to GRA and policy makers.

Scope of the Assignment

• Target Audience: The target audience is conflict-related sexual gender-based violence participants from communities across the BAY state.
• Duration: The assignment duration is expected to be interactive and last between 5 and 10 days, depending on the program d design.
• Content: The materials and content would address the overall and specific objectives of this call.
• Methodology: The methodology will include participatory and engaging methods to deliver the training, counselling, and evaluations through presentations, discussions,case studies, and role-plays.
• Evaluation: The evaluation would be done through pre- and post-assessment and surveys to assess participants' knowledge and learning skills and the following needs to be measured:
  • % of network members/participants who participated in the PSS sessions who report changes in theiremotional and mental well-being and/or that they have the available tools to respond to their PSS needs.
  • % of network members/participants who participated in the PSS sessions who report that they are able to use PSS tools or methods to support their peers.
• Budget: The budget should cover fees separately for the number of days planned, and then accommodation, local transport, and other expenses where necessary.
• Payment Process: The consultant would be paid in twoinstalments: 40% after delivery of the first milestone, and then 60% of the payment would be completed once a final report is shared.

Key Deliverables / Responsibilities

• Conducting needs assessments to identify the mental health and psychosocial needs of the survivors (CRSV)
• Developing and adapting MHPSS training materials and curricula that are culturally friendly
• Delivering MHPSS training to the survivors of conflict-related sexual gender-based violence (CRSV)[1]
• Providing training on counsellingby the participants to othersurvivors of CRSV
• Monitoring and evaluating MHPSS interventions andensuringthe integration of survivors of CRSV in community activities.

Schedules and Deliverables:

Expected Outcomes

• Increased Trauma-Informed Care Proficiency
• Enhanced Advocacy and Awareness Skills
• Strengthened Network Leadership and Sustainability
• Cultivated Holistic Support and Community Resilience

Minimum Qualifications and Experience

• MHPSS Training & Counselling Consultants typically have a Master's Degree in Psychology, Social Work
• He or she has at least five years of experience working in mental health and psychosocial support, with a focus on survivors of CRSV.
• He or she should have strong training and facilitation skills,
• He /she has experience in developing MHPSS training materials.
• He or she should have personal qualities such as compassion, empathy, cultural sensitivity, the ability to work independently, and a strong work ethic.
• He or she must have a commitment to providing high-quality mental health and psychosocial support services.
• Preferably, the consultant should be based in either Borno or Adamawa, Nigeria, with flexibility in travel schedules where necessary.
• Ability to speak local languages such as Hausa, Kanuri, and Fulani, and might be able to fluently communicate with the workshop participants where necessary.
• Strong understanding of mental health and psychosocial issues in north-eastern Nigeria
• Ability to develop and adapt training materials and curricula, Effective communication and facilitation skills

Application Closing Date
30th November, 2023; 12:00 PM