Psychosocial and Trauma Healing Expert at International Alert

International Alert is one of the world's leading peacebuilding  organisations, with over 30 years of experience supporting communities,  advising governments, organisations and companies on how to build  peace. Alert works with people in conflict-affected and threatened areas  to make a positive difference for peace; to improve the substance and  implementation of international policies relevant to peacebuilding; and to  strengthen the peacebuilding sector.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Psychosocial and Trauma Healing Expert

Location: Abuja (FCT) (with field visits to selected DDR implementation states
Duration: 3 months with possible extension
Contract Type: Consultancy
Reports to: National Team Lead

Background

• In the context of Nigeria’s complex security landscape, many individuals—particularly ex-combatants, affected communities, and survivors of violence—are coping with significant trauma and psychosocial distress. 
• As part of the national DDR harmonisation process, it is critical to ensure that trauma healing and mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) interventions are systematically integrated into DDR design and implementation.
• This position will provide technical expertise on trauma-informed programming, develop models of community-based healing and resilience, and help build systems that support reintegration, reconciliation, and social cohesion through effective psychosocial support strategies.

Purpose of the Assignment

• To provide technical expertise and support to the national DDR programme by designing, advising, and ensuring the delivery of high-quality, trauma-sensitive, and culturally appropriate psychosocial support and healing interventions for returnees, victims, and communities affected by violence.

Key Responsibilities
Technical Advisory and Strategy Development:

• Support the development of the MHPSS strategy for the DDR programme, aligning with international standards (e.g. IASC MHPSS Guidelines, UN DDR framework).
• Provide technical guidance on integrating psychosocial and trauma healing components into DDR legal, policy, and programmatic instruments.
• Design context-relevant trauma support models tailored to ex-combatants, survivors, women, youth, and communities.

Programme Design and Oversight:

• Support the development of individual and group-based trauma healing activities (e.g., therapy, support groups, storytelling, cultural practices).
• Advise on the setup of community safe spaces and healing centres within reintegration sites.
• Work with field teams and local partners to adapt psychosocial tools and approaches for local use.

Capacity Building and Supervision:

• Build the capacity of project staff, government actors, CSOs, and frontline practitioners to deliver psychosocial services and referrals.
• Develop and conduct training on trauma-informed care, psychological first aid, and conflict-sensitive counselling practices.
• Supervise psychosocial field teams and provide quality assurance for all healing-related interventions.

Monitoring, Learning, and Knowledge Generation:

• Establish MHPSS monitoring and reporting frameworks aligned with the DDR MEL strategy.
• Document lessons learned, promising practices, and gaps in trauma healing work.
• Contribute to research, assessments (e.g., trauma profiling), and policy advocacy informed by psychosocial evidence.

Key Outputs and Deliverables

• MHPSS Strategy Document: Comprehensive plan guiding psychosocial integration into DDR
• Healing Model Frameworks: Culturally grounded, scalable trauma healing interventions
• Training Manuals: Tools and guides for frontline staff and community facilitators 
• Safe Space Guidance Note: Minimum standards for establishing community healing spaces Advisory Briefs: Technical memos on emerging issues (e.g., suicide risk, vicarious trauma) Session Reports: Documentation of training, dialogue, and healing workshops 
• Learning Paper: Short synthesis report on lessons and recommendations for MHPSS in DDR

Qualifications and Experience
Education:

• Advanced degree in Clinical Psychology, Social Work, Psychiatry, Mental Health, or related discipline.
• Certification in trauma healing, psychosocial counselling, or conflict resolution is a strong asset.

Experience:

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in designing and delivering trauma healing or MHPSS services in conflict or post-conflict settings.
• Experience working with ex-combatants, survivors of violence (including SGBV), and conflict-affected communities.
• Previous work with DDR, reintegration, transitional justice, or peacebuilding programmes.

Skills and Competencies:

• In-depth knowledge of trauma theory, conflict-related stress, and community-based healing approaches.
• Strong facilitation, interpersonal, and cross-cultural communication skills.
• Proven ability to deliver high-quality trainings and build institutional capacity.
• Experience with conflict-sensitive programming and Do No Harm principles.
• Fluency in English required; knowledge of Hausa or other local languages is highly desirable.

Application Closing Date
10th May, 2025.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should send their CV highlighting relevant MHPSS experience, cover letter outlining approach to trauma-informed DDR programming, samples of relevant tools or strategies developed and availability to: nigeria@international-alert.org using the position as the subject of the email.