Engagement of Community Health Mentor / Facilitator (Lagos) at Mercy Corps

GIRL-H Overview

• Girls Improving Resilience through Livelihoods + Health (GIRL-H) is a Mercy Corps-implemented program targeting adolescent girls, boys, and young people in Kenya, Uganda, Haiti and Nigeria.
• The programme aims to improve girls’ well-being by increasing their access to and uptake of life skills, health information, basic numeracy and literacy, and financial literacy, as well as foster pathways to formal education, economic opportunities, and civic engagement.
• The Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights component is embedded within the GIRL-H program to create an enabling environment by working with communities to transform unhealthy social norms and increase access to SRHR knowledge, products and services.

GOAL:

• To ensure that the adolescent and young people’s wellbeing is improved in Nigeria

The objectives of the GIRL-H SRHR program include:

• Increase awareness and knowledge on SRHR services and products among the participants
• Create an enabling environment where adolescents and young people can freely access SRHR services and products
• Increase the uptake of SRHR services and products among adolescents and young people aged 10-24 years

SRHR Program Components

• To address the sexual and reproductive health issues, GIRL-H will use the Socio-Ecological model as its fundamental foundational approach.
• In addition, the SRHR implementation will integrate various strategies such as Advocacy, Community Engagement, Capacity building, outreach services, and research for a flexible approach to meet differing youth needs. The following diagram explains the different outcome level of the program.

General Position Summary

• A Safe Space Health Mentor is responsible for providing support and guidance to individuals who seek a safe and inclusive environment for their health-related concerns. This position requires strong communication and interpersonal skills, as the mentor will need to build rapport with participants and establish a trusting relationship with them.
• The Safe Space Health Mentor should have a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by marginalized and underrepresented communities and be able to offer culturally sensitive advice and resources to clients. Additionally, the mentor should be knowledgeable about mental and physical health and be able to provide guidance on self-care practices and healthy lifestyle habits.
• The Safe Space Health Mentor will work collaboratively with other health professionals to ensure that participants receive comprehensive and compassionate care. This role may also involve advocacy and community outreach, to promote awareness and education about safe and inclusive health practices.
• To achieve the above requires a qualitative recruitment process to ensure qualified mentors are engaged for the conduct of the safe space activities through advertisement, screening, interview and evaluation to select the best hands for the job.
• The safe space mentor will be under the immediate supervision of the SRHR Consultant. She/He will be responsible for coordinating and facilitating learning activities through the SRHR curriculum.
• A mentor will oversee at least two (2) safe spaces. She/He will ensure sessions happen at least twice a week, eight (8) times in a month for 3months.

Essential Duties
The safe space mentor will

• Be responsible for conducting and reporting on the activities at the safe space.
• Ensure that safe space attendance is taken after each session and maintain accurate and confidential records of mentoring sessions and progress towards health goals.
• Attend, submit monthly report to SRHR Consultant and provide feedback during monthly review meeting.
• Ensure proper handling and safety of materials such as SRHR Curriculum and other safe space learning materials.
• Ensure proper recording of information of the participants into the M&E tools.
• Provide one-on-one mentoring to individuals who may be experiencing health-related challenges such as chronic illness, mental health issues, substance abuse, or other health concerns.
• Create a safe and supportive space for individuals to share their experiences, concerns, and challenges without fear of judgment and ensure safety and wellbeing of the participants at the safe space.
• Collaborate with healthcare providers and other support services to ensure that individuals receive the appropriate care and resources.
• Facilitate group meetings, workshops, and educational sessions to promote health literacy and wellness.
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the mentoring program and make recommendations for improvement by holding regular communication with line manager to keep him/her informed of any developments or problems within the safe space and surrounding areas.
• Adhere to all procedures and code of conducts that ensures quality services and accountability to beneficiaries and report any abuse of beneficiaries by others.
• Conduct other activities as required by SRHR Consultant.

Qualities and Criteria for Selection
A safe space SRHR mentor

• Candidates should possess an HND / OND qualification with at least 1 year work experience.
• Must have experience of handling of girls’ and boys’ relevant health issues and cases.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of health-related issues and their impact on individuals and communities.
• Must be seen as role models in the community.
• Must be proficient in the use of English and Hausa Languages
• Must be resident within the LGA of intervention (Epe, Ojo, Alimosho, Shomolu, Kosofe).
• Must be above 18 years of age.
• Current or former Community health workers such as nurses, CHEWs, Midwife, health, and Hygiene workers are strongly encouraged to apply.
• The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of intersectionality, equity, and inclusion, as well as excellent communication and problem-solving skills.
• Must be able to show She/He can create and maintain a welcoming, inclusive, and safe environment for all participants in the program.
• Experience working with diverse populations and ability to communicate effectively with individuals from different backgrounds and cultures.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build trust and rapport with individuals and create a safe and supportive environment.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, with excellent time management and organizational skills.
• Commitment to ongoing professional development and training.

Additional requirements (after recruitment):

• Must be trained by consultant and sign the Child Safeguarding and Do No harm Policies, the Code of Conduct and Confidentiality forms.
• Two (2) references must attest about her/him (a religious leader and another community leader within the LGA).