Clinical Psychologist at GOALPrime Organization Nigeria (GPON)

Role Purpose

The Psychologist will ensure the emotional and social wellbeing of the children supported by GPON by supporting quality implementation of Psychosocial support programmes within the GPON Emergency Response in NE Nigeria. The position holder in coordination with staff in child protection particularly case management, Psychosocial Support (PSS) and community-based teams as well as partners, will ensure that conflict affected children receive timely and appropriate structured clinical psychology services. S/he will also be facilitating training for the PSS staff on key topics including but not limited PSS, Psychological first aid and other related topics.

Accountabilities

• Provide on-going technical support to staff implementing psychosocial support activities and case management in Child Friendly Space and the Community of implementation.
• Undertake assessments of psychological or Psychosocial needs, risk assessments and psychometric testing if needed.
• Facilitate capacity building sessions for key staff teams including social workers as well as associate such as incentive workers on PSS, Psychological first aid and effectively communicating with children and youth in distress among others.
• Regular follow up to ensure all services and action points listed in the case plan are carried out within agreed timeframes.
• Develop and put in place the necessary tools to evaluate the outcome of Psychosocial support intervention.
• Writing reports and record keeping of all information regarding activities (Data, weekly reports, monthly reports) respecting quality standards.
• Collaborate with key agencies, local authorities and organization for the provision of specialized MHPSS services (as needed) to affected children and young people in all plan’s activities and sometimes there families as well.
• Represent GPON in relevant working groups such as the MHPSS WG and others as will be required.
• Empower staff teams especially those managing Integrated CFSs and case management to be able to identify children with Psychosocial issues and how to provide psychological first aid in the absence of a psychologist.
• Work in close collaboration with the case management and other coordinators to ensure that that the psychosocial well-being of children and young people is addressed.
• Support teams in addressing the special needs of beneficiaries that face psychological issue and the consequences this has on their families and community.
• Responsible for ensuring the provision of individual and group counselling/discussion for beneficiaries and care givers in orders to facilitate his/her community integration.
• Identify and work with management to equip centres and office with relevant PSS materials including manuals or books, IEC among others.

Dealing with Problems:

• The position involves resolving a wide range of challenges which occur in managing different people with different background and culture.
• The position holder will be required to demonstrate attributes such as honest and trustworthy, respectful, possess cultural awareness and sensitivity, be flexible and demonstrate sound work ethics.
• S/he will demonstrate the ability to solve problems and be creative while providing support.

Skills specific to the post:

• Participatory planning and monitoring, understanding of emergencies with basic technical knowledge of child protection and EiE program.
• Proficient in team building and community works.
• Use a rights-based approach in child protection.
• Good written and oral communication skills in both English and Swahili (Knowledge of Hausa and Kanuri is an added advantage)
• Community mobilization, problem solving skills and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work in a multidisciplinary and multicultural environment.
• Proficient in computer skills and ability to work under stress and in stressful environments.

Communications and Key relationships

• S/he will work closely with all staff in the emergency response.
• S/he will maintain a functional working relationship with the Monitoring Evaluation Accountability learning Manager for data collection and reporting.
• The position holder will be required to demonstrate attributes such as honesty and trustworthiness, respectfulness, possess cultural awareness and sensitivity be flexible and demonstrate sound work ethics.

Technical expertise, skills and knowledge

Essential

• Holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology preferably child/developmental psychology, counselling or Clinical Psychology equivalent (A Master’s degree will be an added advantage).
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in related field.
• Demonstrates good understanding of mental health and psychosocial support practices in a similar position.
• Experience with refugees will be an added advantage.

Level of Contact with Children:

• High contact- the job responsibilities of this position require the post holder to have very frequent contact with children.
• It is expected that children who come in contact with GPON shall be protected at all times.

Conditions

·       Availability: 05.12.2022

·       Salary and conditions: In accordance with GPON Terms of Employment. The income will be subject to statutory deductions as per applicable Nigeria laws.