Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Officer at Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA)

MISSION AND MAIN ACTIVITIES

Under the guidance of the Project Medical Referent and technical support of the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Manager for Nigeria, the MHPSS OFFICER will report to the MHPSS Supervisor, and will provide overall ALIMA’s MHPSS interventions for the beneficiaries in the project.

Main responsibilities: 

• Integrate MHPSS to SRH, /SGBV/GBV, malnutrition and all other health units including emergency response, i.e. disease outbreaks, natural disasters etc.
• Conduct case-by-case needs assessments for the diagnosis of psychological disorders and identification of treatment and therapy
• Carry out evaluation of mental health needs of patients/beneficiaries and establishing a diagnosis and a plan of treatment following WHO MHGAP approach and ALIMA case management protocols. Referring cases to other health professionals whenever necessary, in order to provide the most appropriate treatment and improve the patient\'s condition
• Provide psychological support and psychotherapy sessions (individual, family, group) to beneficiaries in need according to ALIMA, MHGAP and other standards protocols in order to improve their psycho-social and mental health conditions
• Assist cases with identified mental or emotional disorders referred internally or externally
• Document progress on cases, maintaining strict protocols for confidentiality and consent, and ensure that data protection protocols are respected
• Support in providing capacity building for ALIMA teams to increase technical capacity and referral by other units.
• Facilitate trainings for internal staffs and communities on psychological first aid (PFA)
• Support in providing capacity building for caregivers especially in child psycho stimulation programs & Work in close collaboration with health promoters. 
• Strengthen community based psychosocial support and peer support group activities standard protocols and procedures set in order to provide the most appropriate management.
• Carry out all tasks respecting key protection principles, including but not limited to: do no harm, non-discrimination, confidentiality, accountability and need-to-know principles
•  Support in organizing events, i.e world mental health day, GBV 16 days of activism.
• Engage with health promoters, community mobilizers, and community leaders to coordinate, organize, and promote MHPSS /SGBV activities in the designated locations
• Prepare and conduct psychoeducation.
• Work in close coordination with the MHPSS senior management and focal points on issues related to the field in terms of identification of challenges encountered, gaps, provide all necessary information to ensure better implementation of activities.
• Submit monthly reports, in addition to the data collection sheet that should be filled on a weekly basis to the MHPSS supervisor
•  Report any concerning issues first hand to the direct supervisor;
• Perform other duties as assigned.

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in social work, mental health, psychology or related fields
• Minimum of 2 years of specialized experience in community based psychosocial support interventions particularly as it relates to social norms change.
• Experience with medical international NGO, an asset
• Experience in a similar position for at least 2 years.
• Demonstrated experience on counselling skills.
• Perfect knowledge of MS Office package, especially Excel & Word
• Languages- fluent -English oral & written. Mandatory and local language of the region-Hausa etc

BEHAVIORAL SKILLS

•  Strong interpersonal skills, teamwork.
• Strong communication skills
• Ability to work on own initiative and adaptable to changing needs and situations
• Flexible, patient and adaptable to a changing environment.
• Ability to work under pressure with numerous deadlines, etc.

FEMALE CANDITATES ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY