Mental Health Officer at Heartland Alliance

The Mental Health Officer will be responsible for supporting the implementation of Heartland Alliance LTD/GTE (HALG) Nigeria’s Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) services including the delivery of harm reduction activities for People Who Use and Inject Drugs on the USAID funded KP-CARE 1 project.

Job Description

• Promote client access to HALG’s Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) services as well as facilitate client’s linkage to Harm Reduction interventions.
• Provide specialized MHPSS services to key populations and other vulnerable groups under KP_CARE 1 project.
• Deliver individual and group sessions to project beneficiaries using structured interviews, psychological assessments and treatment plans based on identified psychosocial need(s).
• Assist in the day-to-day running of therapeutic groups including monthly support group, and cohort sessions for KPs.
• Establish and maintain an internal library of MHPSS and Harm Reduction resources including client files and folders, services notes, registers, and related documents.
• Report and collect data for monthly MHPSS and Harm Reduction services and submit harmonized quarterly / annual reports.
• Support the development and implementation of guidance documents and models related to MHPSS and Harm Reduction interventions for internal and external dissemination.
• In consultation with the Mental Health Technical Lead, network with relevant external agencies such as social services, independent and multiple voluntary sectors, to facilitate and promote HALG’s MHPSS and Harm Reduction interventions.
• Perform every other duty as assigned by HALG’s MHPSS/Harm Reduction Program Lead.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the background, knowledge, skill, and/or competency required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience

• Degree or Master’s degree in clinical psychology or other mental health related field.
• Minimum of 5 years work experience in development or humanitarian setting. 
• Membership and licensure to professional organization will be an added advantage.

Skills and Competency

To be successful in this role, the candidate is expected to be able to demonstrate the following skills and competencies:

• A positive attitude in working with vulnerable or disabled persons.
• An understanding of the social determinants of health that affect lives of KPs and people who use or inject drugs.
• A demonstrated understanding of and commitment to client confidentiality and professional staff conduct in a community work setting.

This job description may be reviewed at any time by the Mental Health and Harm Reduction Lead in consultation with HALG Senior Management.