Role Purpose
The MHPSS Officer will implement and oversee psychosocial support activities for children and caregivers, ensuring integration with Child Protection and EiE programmes, strengthening community-based support systems, and promoting wellbeing, resilience, and safeguarding in line with international standards.
Key Areas Of Accountability
Programme Implementation and Technical Quality
- Lead implementation of MHPSS interventions (e.g., structured PSS, group activities, individual support) in line with IASC MHPSS Guidelines and CP Minimum Standards.
- Deliver age-appropriate, gender-sensitive, and inclusive MHPSS services for children, adolescents such as HEART and We Thrive, and for caregivers.
- Ensure integration of MHPSS into EiE activities, including safe and supportive learning environments.
- Support rollout of community-based MHPSS approaches (e.g., child-friendly spaces, peer support groups).
- Promote child participation and resilience-building approaches in programming.
Case Identification, Basic Support, and Referrals
- Identify children and caregivers in need of focused or specialized mental health support.
- Provide basic psychosocial support and Psychological First Aid (PFA) where appropriate.
- Ensure safe and confidential referral pathways to case management, health, or specialized services.
- Work closely with Child Protection caseworkers to integrate MHPSS into case plans.
- Maintain strict confidentiality and data protection for all case-related information.
Integration with Child Protection and EiE
- Support integration of MHPSS within CP case management, including:
- Emotional stabilization of high-risk children
- Caregiver support
- Collaborate with EiE teams to:
- Integrate SEL (Social Emotional Learning) and psychosocial activities in schools
- Build teachers’ capacity to provide basic emotional support
- Ensure MHPSS considerations are embedded in CVA programming (e.g., reducing stress-related risks).
Capacity Strengthening
- Train and mentor staff, volunteers, teachers, and partners on:
- Psychological First Aid (PFA)
- Basic psychosocial support skills
- Safe identification and referrals
- Stress management and self-care
- Support development of training materials and tools adapted to local context.
- Promote staff wellbeing initiatives to reduce burnout and secondary trauma.
Community Engagement and Awareness
- Conduct community sensitization on:
- Mental health awareness
- Positive coping strategies
- Reduction of stigma associated with mental health
- Engage community leaders, caregivers, and children to:
- Strengthen protective environments
- Promote acceptance of MHPSS services
- Ensure messaging is culturally appropriate and conflict-sensitive.
Safeguarding and Protection Risk Mitigation
- Ensure all MHPSS activities adhere to child safeguarding and PSEA standards.
- Identify and mitigate protection risks linked to MHPSS programming.
- Ensure services are delivered in safe, confidential, and accessible spaces.
- Apply do no harm principles in all interventions.
Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL)
- Support collection and reporting of MHPSS indicators, including:
- Participation rates
- Changes in child wellbeing and coping
- Use qualitative and quantitative tools (e.g., observation, feedback, wellbeing scales).
- Contribute to learning and adaptation of MHPSS programming.
- Ensure integration of Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP), including feedback mechanisms.
Coordination and Representation
- Participate in MHPSS Technical Working Groups, and other relevant coordination platforms.
- Coordinate with:
- Health, CP, and EiE actors
- Government social welfare and health services
- Support mapping and strengthening of MHPSS service providers and referral systems.
Information Management and Reporting
- Maintain accurate and confidential records of MHPSS activities and referrals.
- Prepare regular activity reports.
- Ensure proper documentation of:
- Lessons learned
- Good practices
- Work closely with MEAL teams to ensure data quality and ethical data use.
Emergency Response and Preparedness
- Provide rapid MHPSS response during emergencies (e.g., displacement, attacks, disasters).
- Support establishment of safe spaces for children and caregivers.
- Integrate MHPSS into emergency education and protection response plans.
BEHAVIOURS (Values in Practice)
Accountability
- Holds self-accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values
Ambition
- sets ambitious and challenging goals for him or herself and their team, takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages their team to do the same
- widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others
- future orientated, thinks strategically and on a global scale.
Collaboration
- builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, Members and external partners and supporters
- values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength
- approachable, good listener, easy to talk to.
Creativity
- develops and encourages new and innovative solutions
- willing to take disciplined risks.
- Integrity:
- honest, encourages openness and transparency; demonstrates highest levels of integrity
Essential
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
- Minimum of BSc in Psychology, social worker or relevant field experience.
- Minimum 3 years post NYSC
- Experience in Psychological First Aid, and other psychosocial support (MHPSS) activities
- Experience working in Child Protection programs, Education, including those with MHPSS component
- Fluent in English and Hausa is desirable
- Excellent attention to detail, organizational skills and discretion with confidential information
- Ability to work independently and proactively
Gmail
Yahoomail