Mental Health and Psycho-Social Support (MHPSS) Specialist at Bincike International

Job Description

• Bincike International with funding from World Bank multi-crisis recovery project is seeking for Mental Health and Psycho-Social Support Specialist will be responsible for implementing and overseeing mental health initiatives within a stigma reduction project aimed at supporting individuals affected by the Boko Haram insurgency.
• This role focuses on providing psychological support, enhancing community resilience, and promoting awareness to combat stigma related to mental health issues.

Key Responsibilities
Assessment & Planning:

• Conduct comprehensive needs assessments to identify the mental health challenges faced by individuals affected by Boko Haram.
• Develop tailored MHPSS strategies that address specific community needs regarding trauma and stigmatization.

Program Implementation:

• Implement psycho-social support programs including individual counseling, group therapy sessions, and community workshops focused on resilience building.
• Facilitate art therapy, drama therapy, or other creative therapeutic interventions aimed at reducing stigma around mental health.

Capacity Building & Training:

• Train local staff, volunteers, and community leaders in basic MHPSS concepts to ensure they can provide effective peer support.
• Develop training materials that focus on understanding trauma-informed care practices relevant to the socio-cultural context of the target communities.

Community Engagement & Awareness Raising:

• Organize awareness campaigns that educate communities about mental health issues associated with conflict-related experiences.
• Foster dialogue between different groups (women’s organizations, youth groups) addressing misconceptions around mental health conditions stemming from stigmatization.

Monitoring & Evaluation:

• Establish indicators for measuring program effectiveness in reducing stigma related to mental illness within affected populations.
• Collect qualitative data through interviews/focus group discussions to assess changes in attitudes towards individuals impacted by Boko Haram violence over time.

Collaboration with Stakeholders:

• Work alongside local healthcare providers and NGOs to integrate MHPSS services into existing healthcare infrastructure.
• Collaborate with legal advisors within the project ensuring holistic support for clients experiencing both legal challenges as well as psychological distress due to stigmatization.

Reporting & Documentation:

• Prepare regular reports documenting progress made toward achieving program objectives concerning MHPSS activities while highlighting case studies demonstrating impact on stigma reduction efforts.
• Maintain accurate records of psycho-social interventions delivered along with participant feedback for continuous improvement purposes.

Qualifications & Skills Required

• Master’s Degree in Psychology, Social Work or a related field; clinical experience is preferred but not mandatory.
• Minimum 3 years of experience working in the field of mental health or psycho-social support particularly focusing on vulnerable populations impacted by crises/violence.
• Strong understanding of trauma-informed approaches addressing psychological distress among individuals exposed to conflict situations; familiarity with Nigeria's socio-cultural landscape is an asset.
• Excellent communication skills (verbal/written), fluency in English required; proficiency in local languages is an advantage but not essential
• Strong organizational skills coupled with adaptability when dealing with complex situations involving sensitive topics such as trauma recovery while reducing societal stigma surrounding these issues