Child Protection Officer (MHPSS) at Novel Alliance for Development Aid _NADA

Duration 12 Month 

Role Purpose:

• The Child Protection Officer (MHPSS) will support the protection activities and ensure functionality of the child helpdesk.
• The child protection officer (MHPSS) will be providing a range of psychosocial support services within the child protection sector to enhance the children’s and caregivers’ mental health through the child protection program in Novel Alliance for Development Aid (NADA) response locations.
• Support the MHPSS unit to oversee quality improvements in NADA mental health and psychosocial support interventions for children affected by the conflict in Northeast Nigeria.
• In the event of a major humanitarian emergency, the role holder will be expected to work outside the normal profile and be able to vary working hours accordingly. 
• The officer will be expected to mentor and/or build the capacity of PSS facilitators/community volunteers in the field.
• The job holder provides coordination and engagement with relevant protection stakeholders
• Responsible for the prompt submission of reports to the project coordinator.
• Supervise the PSS facilitators to ensure regular follow-ups of MHPSS response.
• Identify gaps in service provision to women and girls and vulnerable women and proactively refer and advocate for those gaps to relevant in coordination with the project coordinator

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

Support with MHPSS programming activities with Child Protection (CP) 

• Ensure 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 all staff are trained on PFA and feel confident to use it.
• The mainstreaming of inter-agency guidelines (e.g IASC MHPSS guidelines) and standards across the different sectors of program activities delivered by NADA.
• The use of structured and manualized MHPSS techniques.
• Ensure the participation of parents and caregivers in MHPSS activities.
• Support in conducting structured MHPSS activities for groups of boys and girls of different age groups with particular attention to survivors of GBV, Unaccompanied children and other vulnerable children who present with signs or poor mental health and distress.
• Take an active part in MHPSS-related training topics for PSS facilitators, community-based structures and gatekeepers and other project staff.
• Be able to identify and refer cases that need case management to the consortium partners and other actors in the location of implementation.
• Representation in community meetings, MHPSS working groups, child protection working groups, etc.
• Act as a focal point for MHPSS.
• Map out MHPSS and Child Protection service providers and agree on referral pathways for children with severe mental health disorders.

Provision of counselling services:

• The Child Protection officer (MHPSS) will spend most of the time listening to, empathizing with, stressing, 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, analyze and compile all the sessions and track changes in the lives of distressed children and their caregivers.
• Capacity strengthening of all project staff on helping skills for encouraging, conducting assessments and referrals for children.
• Work with the MHPSS coordination body to collaborate and coordinate with specialized psychosocial support agencies to provide targeted support for children with advanced mental health challenges. 

Proposed Outputs:

• Individual and group counselling sessions with children and caregivers were required to discuss complex cases.
• Be available on call/ teams if any urgent matters arise that a staff member would like to share about his/her wellbeing, which requires urgent attention.
• Bi-monthly progressive report to the MHPSS coordinator to highlight needs and gaps. Quarterly and annual report writing.
• 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.
• The MHPSS officer is required to travel to the field site as recommended by the Chief of Operations.

BEHAVIORS (Values in practice)

• Accountability 
• Ambition 
• Collaboration 
• Creativity
• Integrity 

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum of a BSc. in Psychology, Psychiatric Nurse, and any related counselling or psychological course.
• Minimum of 3 years post-NYSC cognate experience in a clinical setting, NGO (humanitarian setting).
• Experience in Psychological First Aid (PFA), organizing and conducting psychosocial support (MHPSS) activities.
• Experience in implementing Child Protection-related programs
• Experience working in hard-to-reach locations
• Ability to multitask 
• Excellent attention to detail, organizational skills and discretion with confidential information.
• Excellent report writing skills.
• Fluent in English and Hausa; ability to speak Kanuri and Shuwa is an added advantage. 
• Ability to work independently and proactively.
• Experience in working in child protection programs, including those with MHPSS components.

DESIRABLE:

• Experience working in humanitarian emergencies and or crisis-affected settings.
• Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.