MHPSS Officer at Global Village Healthcare Initiative for Africa (GHIV Africa) Full Time NEW

Job Title: MHPSS Officer

Location: Borno
Reports To: MHPSS Coordinator or Program Manager
Duration: One year subject to renewal

Job Purpose

• The MHPSS Officer is responsible for coordinating and delivering mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) services within the program, ensuring that individuals and communities affected by crises or emergencies receive appropriate care.
• This role involves providing direct support to beneficiaries, training staff and local partners on MHPSS techniques, and ensuring that MHPSS activities are integrated into the overall response strategy.
• The MHPSS Officer will work closely with other sectors, including education, health, and protection, to promote the mental well-being of affected populations.

Key Responsibilities
MHPSS Program Implementation:

• Implement mental health and psychosocial support activities based on the program design and objectives, ensuring that they align with international MHPSS standards and guidelines (e.g., IASC Guidelines on MHPSS in Emergency Settings).
• Provide individual and group counseling sessions to individuals and families, particularly vulnerable groups, including children, survivors of gender-based violence (GBV), and individuals with disabilities.
• Coordinate the delivery of psychosocial interventions such as psychological first aid (PFA), peer support groups, and other community-based MHPSS services.
• Develop, adapt, and facilitate MHPSS programs to suit the cultural, social, and linguistic needs of the affected populations.

Capacity Building and Technical Support:

• Provide training and ongoing support to program staff, local counselors, and community-based volunteers on MHPSS principles, basic counseling skills, and trauma-informed approaches.
• Build the capacity of community members and local partners in delivering community-based mental health and psychosocial support services.
• Ensure that staff and volunteers understand and apply key MHPSS concepts, including confidentiality, safeguarding, and ethical standards in mental health care.

Case Management and Referrals:

• Conduct intake assessments and identify individuals who require more intensive mental health support, facilitating referrals to specialized mental health services when needed.
• Follow up with beneficiaries receiving psychosocial support, ensuring continuity of care and evaluating the effectiveness of interventions.
• Maintain up-to-date and accurate case management records, including case notes and progress reports, while respecting confidentiality and privacy standards.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting:

• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of MHPSS interventions, collecting data on key indicators such as mental health symptoms, psychological distress, and program outcomes.
• Ensure that monitoring tools and data collection methods are appropriate, accurate, and aligned with the program\’s goals.
• Provide regular reports on MHPSS activities, including progress, challenges, lessons learned, and recommendations for future interventions.
• Analyze MHPSS data and feedback from beneficiaries to identify trends and gaps in service delivery, adjusting interventions as needed.

Community Engagement and Awareness Raising:

• Engage with local communities, community leaders, and stakeholders to raise awareness about the importance of mental health and the available MHPSS services.
• Lead community-based activities to reduce stigma associated with mental health issues and promote community resilience.
• Organize and facilitate awareness sessions on coping mechanisms, self-care, and mental well-being.

Integration of MHPSS into Other Sectors:

• Collaborate with other sectors (e.g., education, child protection, WASH, health) to integrate MHPSS services into the broader program interventions.
• Work closely with the education team to provide psychosocial support to children and youth in schools or learning centers, and ensure that mental health and well-being are part of the school environment.
• Coordinate with health teams to identify and address the mental health needs of individuals accessing other health services.

Child Protection and Safeguarding:

• Ensure that MHPSS activities are implemented in a child-safe and child-friendly manner, respecting the rights and needs of children and adolescents.
• Identify and address any child protection issues related to MHPSS services, including the protection of children from exploitation, abuse, and neglect.
• Promote a child-centered approach within MHPSS programming, ensuring that interventions are tailored to meet the needs of young people, particularly those exposed to trauma.

Requirements
Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, Social Work, Mental Health, or a related field. A Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology or Counseling is preferred.

Experience:

• Minimum of 3 – 5 years of experience in mental health and psychosocial support roles, preferably in humanitarian or emergency settings.
• Experience in delivering individual and group counseling, as well as providing psychological first aid.
• Experience working with vulnerable populations, including children, survivors of GBV, and individuals with disabilities.
• Knowledge of international standards and best practices in MHPSS, including IASC Guidelines.

Core Competencies:
MHPSS Expertise:

• In-depth understanding of mental health and psychosocial support frameworks, including trauma-informed care, psychological first aid, and community-based mental health interventions.
• Experience in providing direct mental health support, including counseling, therapy, and psychoeducation.

Case Management and Referral Skills:

• Strong skills in case management, including intake assessments, identifying needs, and making appropriate referrals to specialized mental health services.
• Ability to work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams to ensure the holistic care of beneficiaries.

Capacity Building and Training:

• Ability to design and deliver effective training and capacity-building programs on MHPSS topics.
• Experience mentoring and supervising MHPSS staff and local community-based counselors or volunteers.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting:

• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to assess the effectiveness of MHPSS interventions and use data to inform decision-making.
• Experience with monitoring and evaluation processes, including designing tools, collecting data, and preparing reports.

Cultural Sensitivity and Communication:

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage and build trust with beneficiaries from diverse backgrounds.
• Sensitivity to cultural and social factors that may impact mental health and psychosocial well-being.

Child Protection and Safeguarding:

• A strong commitment to child protection and safeguarding principles, with experience in working with vulnerable children and families in crisis situations.
• Knowledge of child protection policies and the ability to integrate these into MHPSS activities.

Teamwork and Collaboration:

• Strong team player with the ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues across sectors (education, health, WASH, protection) and external partners.
• Ability to work under pressure and adapt to changing priorities in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

Emotional Resilience:

• Strong emotional intelligence and resilience to manage the challenges of working in crisis situations, while maintaining a high level of professionalism and self-care.
• Ability to provide emotional support to staff and peers in high-stress environments.

Personal Attributes:

• Empathy and Compassion: Demonstrates a genuine concern for the well-being of vulnerable individuals.
• Integrity: Maintains the highest ethical standards in all professional activities.
• Resilience: Capable of working under challenging conditions and managing stress effectively.
• Problem Solving: Proactive in identifying issues and implementing solutions.

Application Closing Date
27th December, 2024.

Important Information

• GHIV African PSEA / GBV, and Child Safeguarding policies:  The successful candidate shall comply and promote the PSEA/GBV, and Child safeguarding Policies at all course and all levels.
• Women and Persons Living with Disability (PLWDs) are strongly advised to apply.