MHPSS/Health Officer at Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS)

The MHPSS/Health Officer will be responsible for ensuring the delivery of high-quality psychosocial services (e.g. oversee staff capacity building in psychosocial trauma and provide psychosocial group facilitation) to target beneficiaries whom JRS Nigeria works with. The Officer will be responsible for leading and coordinating the medical and training activities of the assigned programs and provide medical expertise and guidance for the medical personnel in the projects. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead all implementation of psychosocial activities including Strategies for Trauma Awareness & Resilience (STAR) training to target beneficiaries along with providing basic level emotional regulation exercises to release trauma stress patterns.
• Ensure that JRS’s psychosocial support models are delivered effectively.
• Ensure the team’s provision of high-quality support to beneficiaries is in line with JRS Nigeria’s Psychosocial Models, including adherence to Psychosocial Assessment.
• Provide psychosocial support education and supervision to staff members and case managers.
• Attend Psychosocial Review Meetings and provide support to beneficiaries involved.
• Ensure that case managers are making referrals for psychosocial critical incidents, such as child safety concerns, risk of suicide or self-harm to Search identified clinical actors.
• Write a monthly summary report highlighting training conducted, lessons learnt, challenges, and recommendations including success highlights, feedback from participants, and recommendations for the next stages of JRS’s program (sent to line supervisor).
• Attend coordination meetings with other INGOs/ NGOs, sector working groups to help link JRS Nigeria with other organizations doing similar work.
• Work with government partners and other relevant stakeholders to develop, implement and monitor referral pathways for those in need of mental health and psychosocial support.
• Lead and participate in psychosocial/Health support capacity building for government partners and other relevant stakeholders.
• Strengthen community capacity to identify, address and support residents in need of psychosocial/ Health support and resources.
• This position will be responsible for initiating, directing, and coordinating all required health care activities.
• Work closely with the team leader to determine the medical and training needs of the programs within the scope of the grants.
• Develop and improve plans for medical care and training of counterparts and implements those plans through Program Coordinators, Site Medical Doctors, Nurses, etc., at the various sites.
• Collaborate with the community recognized health authorities and relevant international health agencies for the development of an approved curriculum and program. In addition, collaborate with the same parties for the standardization of reporting practices.
• Participate in Public health activities
• Make health/medical/ PSS needs assessments
• Work with local health authorities, Program Coordinators, medical staff, and team leader to design and implement a system for reporting the outcomes, and health delivery protocols.
• Assist in the selection and training of qualified program field staff.
• Submit appropriate reports of field activities to team leader.
• Make frequent site visits to facilities to ensure that appropriate care and training are being conducted.
• Participate in report writing activities.
• The Officer will also support and debrief staff on psychosocial recommendations from noted issues that arise during his/her work, identify and address professional development needs.

Experience and Skills

• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience with at least 3 years in Programs in INGOs,
• Significant previous experience in similar programming working with IDPs and Refugees.
• Good analytical and writing skills.
• Extensive knowledge of MS office.
• Ability to work in stressful locations.
• Knowledge of humanitarian actors.
• Excellent communication skills to manage relationships.
• Flexible and adaptable to the needs of the team and organization.