Clinical Psychologist at Reconnect Health Development Initiative

Job Purpose

• The Clinical Psychologist is responsible for providing evidence-based psychological assessment, diagnosis, therapeutic interventions, counselling, and psychosocial support to individuals and communities served by Reconnect HDI.
• The role involves addressing mental health challenges, trauma, substance use disorders, emotional and behavioural difficulties, and other psychological conditions, particularly among vulnerable populations.
• The postholder will contribute to the design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) programmes, ensuring that services are accessible, ethical, culturally appropriate, trauma-informed, and aligned with recognised clinical and humanitarian standards.

Key Responsibilities
Clinical Assessment and Psychological Evaluation:

• Conduct comprehensive psychological assessments, clinical interviews, and mental health evaluations.
• Identify psychological, emotional, cognitive, and behavioural challenges among beneficiaries.
• Administer, interpret, and document appropriate psychological assessment instruments.
• Develop individualised treatment plans based on assessment findings.
• Conduct risk assessments, including suicide, self-harm, abuse, neglect, and risk to others.
• Refer beneficiaries requiring specialised psychiatric or medical intervention.

Psychological Intervention and Therapy:

• Provide individual, group, family, and trauma-focused psychological interventions.
• Deliver evidence-based therapies, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and other appropriate therapeutic approaches within the psychologist's competence.
• Provide psychological support to individuals experiencing grief, trauma, depression, anxiety, substance use challenges, and other mental health conditions.
• Facilitate psychoeducation sessions for beneficiaries, caregivers, and families.
• Monitor beneficiaries' progress and review treatment plans accordingly.
• Maintain appropriate clinical boundaries and ensure confidentiality.

Community Mental Health and Psychosocial Support:

• Design and implement community-based mental health and psychosocial support initiatives.
• Conduct mental health awareness campaigns, sensitisation programmes, and community outreach activities.
• Identify vulnerable individuals and groups requiring psychological support.
• Provide psychological first aid (PFA) where appropriate.
• Support the reintegration and rehabilitation of individuals experiencing mental health and substance use challenges.
• Work with community leaders, schools, healthcare providers, and relevant stakeholders to improve access to mental health services.
• Promote stigma reduction, inclusion, and mental health literacy.

Programme Development and Implementation:

• Contribute to the development of mental health programmes, intervention frameworks, and clinical service protocols.
• Participate in the planning and implementation of NGO projects addressing mental health, trauma, substance use, and psychosocial wellbeing.
• Develop programme activities that respond to identified beneficiary needs.
• Provide technical input into project proposals, intervention strategies, and programme budgets.
• Ensure that psychological interventions align with donor requirements, organisational objectives, and relevant professional standards.
• Support the integration of mental health services into broader community development and humanitarian programmes.

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL):

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date clinical and programme records.
• Track beneficiary participation, treatment outcomes, recovery progress, and intervention effectiveness.
• Develop and use appropriate psychological and psychosocial outcome indicators.
• Contribute to programme monitoring, evaluation, and impact assessment.
• Prepare periodic clinical and programme reports for management and donors.
• Use programme findings to recommend improvements to service delivery.
• Ensure that beneficiary feedback informs programme design and implementation.

Safeguarding, Ethics and Professional Standards:

• Ensure strict adherence to professional ethics, confidentiality, informed consent, and data protection requirements.
• Comply with organisational safeguarding, child protection, and prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment (PSEA) policies.
• Identify and report safeguarding concerns through approved organisational channels.
• Maintain professional boundaries in all interactions with beneficiaries.
• Ensure that vulnerable individuals are treated with dignity, respect, and without discrimination.
• Participate in clinical supervision, professional development, and reflective practice.

Educational Qualifications and Professional Requirements

• Master's Degree or Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from a recognised institution.
• Current professional registration and practising licence with the relevant regulatory body in Nigeria.
• 3–5 years' relevant post-qualification experience in clinical psychology, mental health, or psychosocial support.
• Experience working within an NGO, humanitarian, community health, or development-sector environment is an advantage.
• Demonstrable experience in psychological assessment, psychotherapy, and clinical case management.
• Training in trauma-informed care, safeguarding, psychological first aid, and suicide risk assessment is desirable.