Protection/MHPSS Officer at Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS)

Job Summary

Under the supervision of the Project Director, the Protection/MHPSS Officer is responsible for the implementation of protection and Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) activities across the project LGAs (Isa, Sabon Birni & Kware). Based full-time in Sokoto, S/He oversees psychosocial support for children, adolescents and caregivers, the identification, documentation and safe referral of protection cases, protection monitoring and risk analysis, and the establishment of safe spaces and community-based protection structures. The Protection/MHPSS Officer ensures the mainstreaming of protection across the EiE and WASH components and applies survivor-centred, confidential and do-no-harm approaches in line with protection principles and IASC MHPSS guidelines.

Key Responsibilities of the position

• Implement protection and MHPSS activities across the project locations in line with the workplan, protection principles and IASC MHPSS guidelines.
• Provide and oversee structured and non-structured psychosocial support for children, adolescents and caregivers, including in learning spaces and safe spaces.
• Identify, document and refer protection cases, including child protection and gender-based violence (GBV), through established referral pathways, while maintaining confidential case data.
• Establish and support safe spaces and community-based protection structures and volunteers.
• Conduct protection monitoring and risk analysis and ensure the mainstreaming of protection across the EiE and WASH components.
• Train teachers, facilitators and community volunteers on psychosocial support, Psychological First Aid (PFA), child safeguarding and safe referral procedures.
• Support GBV and child protection risk mitigation and prevention activities.
• Coordinate with the Protection sector/sub-sectors, the Child Protection and GBV Areas of Responsibility and relevant service providers.
• Ensure survivor-centred, confidential and do-no-harm approaches in all protection and MHPSS activities.
• Maintain accurate, confidential records and contribute to donor reporting in coordination with the MEAL Coordinator.
• Ensure compliance with the Internal Rules and Procedures of JRS in all protection and MHPSS activities.
• The tasks and responsibilities defined in this job description are non-exhaustive and can evolve depending on the needs of the project.
• Promote PSEA and safeguarding standards within JRS and amongst the beneficiaries it serves.

Required Profile

Qualifications

• Minimum of a Bachelor's Degree or its equivalent in Psychology, Social Work, Counselling, Social Sciences or any related field; a Master's Degree in a related field is an added advantage. 
• Professional / Work Experience: Minimum of 4 years of relevant experience in protection and/or MHPSS programming in humanitarian contexts, with knowledge of child protection and GBV referral pathways.

Experience and Skills

• Strong knowledge of protection principles, MHPSS approaches and IASC MHPSS guidelines.
• Experience in case identification, documentation and referral, including child protection and GBV.
• Knowledge of Psychological First Aid (PFA) and structured psychosocial support methodologies.
• Understanding of survivor-centred, confidential and do-no-harm approaches.
• Experience establishing and supporting safe spaces and community-based protection structures.
• Good knowledge of protection mainstreaming across sectors such as education and WASH.
• Good data management skills with strong attention to confidentiality and PII protection.
• Working knowledge of MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) and mobile data collection tools is an advantage.
• Good analytical, writing and reporting skills.
• Ability to work in stressful and hard-to-reach locations.
• Excellent interpersonal, listening and communication skills.
• Strong commitment to safeguarding and protection-sensitive programming.

Qualities

• Adhere to JRS values and abide by the code of conduct and other policies.
• Proficient command of the English language (written and oral).
• Good command of Hausa Language is required.
• Proven work experience in multicultural and stressful environments.
• Ability to adapt to working conditions and tasks that may change with the reality of the field.
• Preference will be given to qualified indigenes of Sokoto State.

Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for further steps in the recruitment process. Assessments may be conducted on-site.

JRS is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, ethnic group, or disabilities. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment.

JRS will not request any monetary payment from applicants at any stage of its recruitment process. Any request in this direction should immediately be reported as it is contrary to our values and practices.