Psychosocial Support (PSS) Officer at INTERSOS

Location: Dikwa, Borno (Initial Assignment)
Reporting to: Hierarchical: Protection Officer
Technical: MHPSS/GBV specialist
Collaborations: Health and Nutrition team, case workers, Protection Coordinator
Status: Full time

Summary

• INTERSOS Nigeria is recruiting for a national PSS Officer in Borno State.
• The PSS Officer is responsible for ensuring excellent organization and coordination of all PSS activities implemented within the Community Centre (CC) and Women and Girls Friendly Spaces (WGFS) at the field level in the geographical area of implementation.
• The CC provides information, counselling, vocational training, meetings and recreational activities taking place in the space.
• The PSS Officer will immediately report sensitive information gathered in the centers to the psychologist for proper case management and assist in following on survivors to remind them on next visit schedules.

Objective:

• To improve the protective environment of the most vulnerable IDPs and conflict-affected population through provision of GBV prevention and response activities.

Main Purpose:

• Provide Psychosocial services and individual psychological support for people with moderate to severe Psychological distress and/or emotional disorders in the different areas of intervention. Provide technical support to protection staff in the field to implement sound psychosocial support activities for children and adults and Overall supervision of the activities conducted at the WGFS.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Identifying and conducts a case by case assessment for vulnerable women, men, boys and girls in need of MHPSS and enroll them to INTERSOS PSS activities or refer them to appropriate service providers, and follow up to ensure services have been provided
• Facilitate Psychosocial Support activities at the Women and Girls Friendly Spaces such as but not limited to, group counselling, life skills according to gender and age.
• Work in a close collaboration with the case worker team leader for effective follow up on cases referred internally for psychosocial support.
• Build the capacity of the protection team and community volunteers in identification of cases of psychological distress and psychological first aid
• Provide coaching and support to the community volunteers in the implementation of structured PSS activities
• Monitor and document progress of the beneficiaries participating in structured psychosocial activities, maintaining strict protocols for confidentiality and consent, and ensure that data protection protocols are respected
• Strengthen community based psychosocial support and peer support group activities
• Work in close collaboration with technical staffs (MHPSS/GBV Specialist) for the development of the project’s overall PSS component
• Carry out all tasks respecting key protection principles, including but not limited to: - do no harm, non-discrimination, confidentiality, accountability and need-to-know principles
• Support the protection officer in developing required donor reports, providing relevant insights on mental health related issues
• Establish and maintain collaborative relationship with relevant partners and other project stakeholders working in the project areas
• Proactively participate in relevant coordination meetings, as requested by the supervisor
• Establish and strengthen referral pathways to specialized Mental health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) services

Qualifications

• B.Sc. Or M.Sc. in Psychology or Social Work
• At least 3-year experience working as a psychologist or a social worker
• Trained in PFA, CBT, and other counselling methods
• Experienced in Protection and GBV response
• Good knowledge of the IASC MHPSS guidelines
• Good interpersonal communication and writing skills
• Computer literacy
• Respect and adherence to protection principles
• Capacity to work under pressure, flexibility
• Must be Fluent in English and Hausa. knowledge of Kanuri or any other local language is a plus