MHPSS Officer (ECHO) at Terre des hommes Foundation (Tdh)

General objective

General description of the position:

Reporting to the CP/MHPSS Supervisor, the MHPSS Officer will lead age- and gender-appropriate psychosocial support activities for children and adolescents. This role focuses on developing and strengthening life and social skills using participatory and non-formal education methods. These activities are designed to enhance positive coping mechanisms, restore a sense of routine, stability, and normalcy, and help build hope for the future among boys and girls affected by crisis. All interventions will align with humanitarian coordination standards and protection practices in Northeast Nigeria, while respecting cultural and contextual sensitivities.

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Job Description

Under the direct supervision of the CP/MHPSS Supervisor, the MHPSS officer shall perform the following tasks and responsibilities:

• The MHPSS Officer will be responsible for planning, implementing, and monitoring Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) activities within the organization’s programs.
• This role involves providing direct support to affected populations, developing MHPSS programs, and ensuring the integration of MHPSS into other sectoral activities.
• The MHPSS Officer will work closely with local communities, healthcare providers, and other stakeholders to enhance the mental health and psychosocial well-being of individuals and communities, with a specific focus on supporting survivors of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV).
• The activities will be well-integrated into North-eastern Nigerian protection system and humanitarian coordination practices and guidelines. The activities will be carried out in Benue State areas according to the evolving needs of the project.

Key Responsibilities

Psychosocial Support:

• Conduct specific child-focused activities for psychosocial well-being and building resilience for the most vulnerable and at-risk children and adolescents by ensuring a variety of activities that include active games, sports, expressive/creative activities, life skills, educational activities.
• Mobilize adolescent boys and girls to launch empowering activities that suit their interest, promote their psychosocial well-being and create an opportunity for their direct social engagement at community level.
• Conduct emotional group support sessions for caregivers.
• Work with the Community Development focal person to conduct awareness sessions on child protection issues and issues affecting the protection and well-being of children.
• Provide basic counselling sessions to support children and their caregivers to better cope with difficulties, distress and enhance their resilience.
• Identify vulnerable children and adults in a need of protection or support and conduct referral to the case management team and/or education team as appropriate.
• Establish and maintain positive and efficient relations with target beneficiaries, community members, humanitarian actors and all the other key stakeholders for the successful delivery of PSS interventions.
• Ensure availability of the PSS materials and safe storage and maintenance of the PSS materials.
• Prepare weekly activity schedule, keep record of newly registered beneficiaries, fill beneficiary’s daily’s attendance lists, and other reports as required by the line manager and ensure accuracy and timely submission.
• Under the guidance of the MHPSS Supervisor, conduct participatory monitoring activities to collect beneficiaries feedback and opinions on the quality and satisfaction of activities.
• Provide supervision, mentorship and guidance to PSS volunteers.
• Perform any other job-related duties as requested by the line manager.

Child Protection:

• Promote inclusion and equal access for every child, paying particular attention to the most vulnerable and at-risk children.
• Identify potential cases of children victims and/or at heightened risk of violence, abuse, exploitation and neglect and any other child protection concern or threat and report to the Case Worker.
• Always maintain strict confidentiality regarding information and data of beneficiaries.
• Ensure Tdh Child Safeguarding Policy and Child Protection Minimum Standards are mainstreamed through all the programmatic activities.
• Report serious cases of abuse committed against children to the Project Manager and/or Tdh CFRM. Strict confidentiality must be respected.
• Provide specialized psychosocial support to survivors of SGBV, including trauma-informed care and counseling.
• Facilitate access to additional services for SGBV survivors, such as medical care, legal assistance, and safe shelter.
• Develop and implement safe and confidential referral pathways for SGBV survivors to access comprehensive care.
• Conduct awareness-raising sessions on SGBV and available support services within the community.

Coordination & Representation:

• Coordinates with other Tdh sectors to ensure implementation of standardized activities and with other departments (programme and support) of Tdh Nigeria as necessary
• Represent Tdh project in fora and meetings held at site level in her/his field of expertise.

Other:

• Fully comply with Tdh Code of Conduct and ensure Child Safeguarding Policy is always upheld.
• Ensure adherence to Tdh standards and quality requirements in all the project activities.
• Adhere to and ensure the team under her/his responsibility follows Tdh administrative and logistical regulations and procedures.

Qualifications

• bachelor’s degree in psychology, Social Work, Mental Health, or a related field.

Experience:

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in providing MHPSS services in humanitarian or development contexts.
• Experience in designing and implementing MHPSS programs and activities.
• Proven experience in supporting survivors of SGBV, including trauma-informed care and counseling.

Skills:

• Strong understanding of MHPSS principles and best practices.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work in challenging environments and under pressure.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Proficiency in using MHPSS assessment and intervention tools.

Other Requirements:

• Ability to work in diverse cultural and political environments.
• Fluency in English; knowledge of local languages is an asset.