Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Officer at Save The Children

ROLE PURPOSE: 

• The MHPSS officer will support child protection activities an ensure functionality of the child help desk.
• The MHPSS Officer will be providing a range of psychosocial support services within the child protection sector to enhance children's and caregivers' mental health through the child protection programs in Save the Children response locations.
• To support the MHPSS unit to oversee quality improvements in Save the Children’s mental health and psychosocial support interventions for children affected by the conflict in NE Nigeria.
• In the event of a major humanitarian emergency, the role holder will be expected to work outside the normal role profile and be able to vary working hours accordingly. 
• The officer will equip adolescent girls and boys with the skills vital to make balanced, strategic life choices as well as promote the safety, prevention of and response to violence against children in schools and communities
• In most circumstances, the post holder will be expected to mentor and/or build capacity of Youth mentors, Caseworkers, community volunteers, and animators on the field.
• The job holder provides coordination and engagement with relevant Protection stakeholders including Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, and other relevant State Ministries.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

Provision of counseling services:

• The MHPSS officer will spend most of the time listening to, empathizing with, assessing, supporting and empowering children and caregivers with psychosocial problems.
• Develop positive and meaningful relationships with caregivers and children through regular one-on-one and group counselling sessions depending on their needs.
• Keeping confidential records of all the children in the child protection program.
• Track, analyse and compile all the sessions and track changes in the lives of distressed children and their caregivers.
• Capacity strengthening of child protection workers on helping skills for encouraging, conducting assessments and referrals for children.
• Work with the MHPSS Coordinator to collaborate and coordinate with specialized psychosocial support agencies to provide targeted support for children with advance mental health challenges.

Support to MHPSS programming activities with CP:

• Ensuring MHPSS support is provided to children affected by the conflict in a dignified, respectful, equitable and inclusive manner that supports their resilience
• Assisting children in acute distress and alleviating their stress, for instance ensuring that all staff / partners are trained on PFA and feel confident to use it
• The mainstreaming of inter-agency guidelines (e.g. IASC MHPSS guidelines) and standards (e.g. CPMS) across the different sectors of programme activities delivered by SC and its partners
• The use of structured and manualized MHPSS techniques.
• Ensure the participation of parents and caregivers in MHPSS activities.
• Support structured MHPSS activities for groups of boys and girls of different age groups, with particular attention to survivors of SGBV, unaccompanied children and other children who present with signs of poor mental health and distress.
• Take an active part in MHPSS related training topics for case workers, PSS facilitators, community mobilisers and community volunteers such as community-based child protection (CBCP), Child Protection Help Desks (CPHD), leaders and other stakeholders.
• Actively engage the case and caregiver(s) to participate in the case management process and share information appropriately in line with case management information management protocol.
• Representation in community meetings, MHPSS working groups, etc and act as focal point for MHPSS.
• Performs other functions related to Child Protection activities and initiatives that the Child Protection Project may assign.   

Proposed Outputs:

• Individual and group counselling sessions with children and caregivers where required to discuss complex cases. 
• Be available on call/teams if any urgent matters arise that a staff would like to share regarding their casework or his/her well being
• Bi -monthly progress reports to the MHPSS Coordinator to highlight needs and gaps.
• Development of peer/reflective practices with teams
• Support current MHPSS practices, reflecting on a cross-sectoral approach.  
• Structured MHPSS activities for boys and girls, organized in age-appropriate groups with a clear methodology or curriculum to promote mental well-being. Such activities must align with donor commitments in already-funded projects.
• Participate in the save the children MHPSS community of practice.

BEHAVIOURS (Values in Practice)

Accountability:

• Holds self-accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values
• Holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities - giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved.

Ambition:

• Sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves and their team, take responsibility for their personal development and encourage their team to do the same
• Widely shares their vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others
• Future orientated, thinks strategically and on a global scale.

Collaboration:

• Builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, Members and external partners and supporters
• Values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength
• Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to.

Creativity:

• develops and encourages new and innovative solutions
• willing to take disciplined risks.

Integrity:

• Honest, encourages openness and transparency; demonstrates highest levels of integrity.

QUALIFICATIONS  

• Minimum of B.Sc. in Psychology, Psychiatric Nurse, and any related counseling or psychological course.
• Minimum 4 years post NYSC cognate experience in a clinical setting, NGO and INGO.
• Experience in Psychological First Aid, and other psychosocial support (MHPSS) activities
• Experience working in Child Protection programs, including those with MHPSS component
• Fluent in English and Hausa is desirable
• Working knowledge of Kanuri and Shuwa is an advantage
• Excellent attention to detail, organizational skills and discretion with confidential information
• Ability to work independently and proactively.

Desirable:

• Experience in humanitarian emergencies and/or a refugee/displacement-setting
• Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply