MHPSS Officer at Life at Best Development Initiative

Location:  Mafa, Konduga and Bama LGAs of Borno State Northeast Nigeria

ROLE PURPOSE:  

The MHPSS officer will oversee the implementation of MHPSS component of the UNICEF project in Mafa, Bama and Kunduga. S/he will respond to psychosocial needs of victims and survivors of child marriage and other underlying child protection concerns. S/he will be responsible to implement all MHPSS activities within the project logic.  

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.

Role Dimensions: 

This role will contribute towards LABDI Child Protection strategic objective that ‘All girls and boys have increased access to child protection services and violence against children is reduced.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY: 

• Identification and registration of psychosocial needs of beneficiaries based on the vulnerability criteria of the LABDI PSS standard operating procedures (SOPs)
• Actively promote the availability of counseling services and carry out, individual or group counselling (psychological first aid (PFA) and psychosocial support (PSS), basic psychoeducational sessions to children, adolescents and caregivers/ families (when needed), in order to alleviate their psychosocial difficulties.
• Refer clients to other specialists or other institutions for further assistance, when necessary, in line with the available local referral pathways, to ensure an effective and efficient case management process.
• Participate in the creation of any material needed for counseling activities and maintain and update.
• Keep files and statistics of daily activities and participate in team meetings to share experiences and discuss special cases with the supervisor respecting confidentiality, and or with MHPSS Technical Specialist
• Inform and discuss with line manager any difficulties and problems of any kind arising during the day-to-day activities.
• 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 Networks (CBCPN), and other stakeholders.
• Hold regular meetings with case workers, PSS facilitators and community mobilizers to discuss successes, challenges, and way forward.
• Representation in community meetings, MHPSS working groups.
• Support caseworkers, PSS facilitators and community mobilizers in emergency response and comprehensive case management issues relevant to the role.
• 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.
• Prepare and submit MHPSS reports regularly as indicated by the reporting schedule, and submit to the Health Manager
• Receive reports of cases from community-based child protection networks (CBCPN), Child Protection Help Desks (CPHD), Health Workers, children clubs etc. and give feedback as necessary.
• Performs other functions related to Health activities and initiatives that may be assigned by MHPSS officer.

Accountability:

• holds self-accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Life at Best Development Initiative 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, takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages their team to do the same.
• widely shares their personal vision for Life at Best Development Initiative, engages and motivates others.
• Future orientated, thinks strategically.

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   

• Degree preferable in Psychology or in development related fields is preferable.  
• Minimum of 2-5 years of experience in development/humanitarian aid; previous experience in psychosocial support field and experience in working with IDP and refugees is required.  
• Previous management experience is required. 
• Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills including team leading and influencing. 
• Extensive experience in delivering trainings. 
• Experience in providing MHPSS services to SGBV survivors and adolescents is an asset. 
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English are required.  
• Comfortable with high levels of ambiguity and able to take decisions independently in a fluid context. 
• Previous experience working with IDP /marginalized communities is required; preferably with previous experience working with UASC.
• Commitment to LABDI values and Child Safeguarding.