MHPSS Officer at Ekklesiyar Yan'uwa a Nigeria (EYN PROJECT)

ABOUT THE JOB:  

The MHPSS Officer will be responsible for designing, implementing, and overseeing mental health and psychosocial support programs. This role involves providing direct support to individuals, developing strategies for community-based interventions, and collaborating with various stakeholders to ensure effective and comprehensive MHPSS services.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES:

The MHPSS Officer will be responsible for the following, including those not listed but are extensions of those expressly stated:

• Identification and registration of psychosocial needs of beneficiaries based on the vulnerability criteria of the standard operating procedures.
• Actively promote the availability of counseling services and carry out, individual or group counseling (psychological first aid (PFA) and psychosocial support (PSS), basic psychoeducational sessions to children, adolescents, and caregivers/ families (when needed)
• Refer clients to other specialists or other institutions for further assistance, when necessary, in line with the available local referral pathways, to ensure an effective and efficient case management process.
• Take an active part in MHPSS-related training topics for case workers, PSS facilitators, community mobilizers, and community volunteers such as leaders and other stakeholders
• Hold regular meetings with case workers, PSS facilitators, and community mobilizers to discuss successes, challenges, and ways forward.
• Handles and coordinates the safe family session with caregivers and adolescent.
• Support caseworkers, PSS facilitators, and community mobilizers in emergency response and comprehensive case management issues relevant to the role.
• Actively engage the Survivors and caregiver(s) to participate in the case management process and share information appropriately in line with case management information management protocol
• Represent the organization in community meetings and MHPSS working groups.
• In coordination with community mobilizers use participatory methods to adapt activities following the needs of the different target groups (children, women etc)
• Assist in the implementation of preventive MHPSS interventions at the community level.
• Document best practices, case studies, and learnings for reporting and evaluation purposes.
• Prepare and submit weekly/monthly reports regularly.

Required Skills and Competencies:

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build rapport and provide support to individuals in distress.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities effectively.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and experience with data management and reporting tools.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion and professionalism.

Qualification:

• Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Social Work, Counseling, Psychiatric Nurse or a related field
• Relevant certification or training in mental health and psychosocial support (e.g., MHPSS training, clinical counseling).
• Proven experience (at least 3 years) in providing mental health and psychosocial support, with a strong understanding of best practices and intervention strategies.