PSS Officer (Anka, Gusau & Maru) at INTERSOS

JOB PURPOSE

The PSS officer will support the implementation of child protection interventions aimed at preventing and responding to abuse, neglect, exploitation, and violence against children. They will also work to strengthen community-based child protection mechanisms.

The PSS officer will provide direct supervision and coaching to case workers, in close coordination with case workers to provide comprehensive Child Protection Case Management Services to Unaccompanied, Separated, and Other Vulnerable Children in line with the Case Management Standard Operating Procedures.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide psychosocial (physical, social, emotional) wellbeing of children including GBV survivors and their families.
• Ensure children at risk and survivors of gender-based violence are timely identified and provided counselling and other appropriate response services.
• Ensure relevant referral forms are in place and implemented accordingly
• Build the staff capacity to provide direct and appropriate support services to children at risk.
• Ensure appropriate child-friendly spaces and time schedules are tailored to the physical and mental needs of the children based on age group and gender.
• Ensure case workers are supervised regularly to ensure activities are carried out in line with minimum standard guidelines
• With support from the Accountability Officer put in place accountability activities for the project, ensuring that feedback from children and their families is responded to timely
• Ensuring assistance is provided to children affected by the conflict in a dignified, respectful, equitable and inclusive manner that supports their resilience
• Support structured PSS activities for groups of boys and girls of different age groups, with particular attention to survivors of SGBV, unaccompanied children and other children who present with signs of poor mental health and distress
• Prevention and response to all forms of exploitation including harmful child labour and child trafficking
• Support the integration of child protection activities into other sectors
• Prepare and submit weekly and monthly reports.
• Ensure that the minimum standards of humanitarian relief are maintained in accordance with the Minimum Standards for Child Protection in Humanitarian Settings and the Sphere standard
• The mainstreaming of inter-agency guidelines (e.g. IASC MHPSS guidelines) and standards (e.g. CPMS) across the different sectors of programme activities delivered
• The participation of parents and caregivers in the positive parenting sessions activities
• Monitor the situation of children and families, including potential threats to their well-being.
• Collaborate with various stakeholders, including government agencies, and community-based organizations, to coordinate child protection efforts.
• Advocate for the rights and needs of children, ensuring their protection is prioritized in emergency response and recovery efforts.
• Represent the organization in the child protection sector in coordination meetings and forums.
• Engage with community members to raise awareness of child protection issues and build their capacity to identify and respond to protection concerns.
• Identify procurement need and distribution of CFS materials at Gusua, Maru and Anka LGAs
• Review and recommend case closure of CP cases when the needs have been met and no further needs have been identified.
• Leads on distribution and ensure the distribution activity is in line with the best practice.
• Represents INTERSOS in community meeting as required and maintain positive relationships with community leaders, local community structure and groups at various levels.
• Contributes/coordinates regular service mapping, updates to the service directory and support the development of referral systems with different service providers and the local NGO/CSO partner.
• Oversee the proper and safe filing and archiving of CP/PSS client files and activity reports files to maintain data confidentiality as per INTERSOS and international standards.
• Performs other duties and responsibility.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Education Qualification:

• Minimum of Higer National Diploma (HND) or equivalent in Social Work, Psychology, Gender Studies, Education, or related field.
• Proven 2-3 years’ experience working in an INGO, NGOs, and working with vulnerable children and families, preferably in a humanitarian or northwest community setting.
• Experience working in Zamfara or similar humanitarian contexts, or the northwest states, preferred.
• Fluency in Hausa is required; knowledge of local dialects (e.g. Hausa) is an added advantage.
• INTERSOS Experience will be an added advantage
• Strong experience in Child protection case management services
• Good knowledge of the Nigeria Child Rights Acts, the VAPP Act, child protection and GBV policies and practice as well as current issues in relation to safeguarding children in Nigeria.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Leadership, people management and coaching skills.
• Those from the local community are highly encouraged to apply.
• Qualified and experience female candidate are encouraged to apply

Competencies

• Commitment to safeguarding and ethical standards in child protection.
• Strong facilitation, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Effective team player with good organizational skills.
• Compassionate and child-centered approach.
• Cultural sensitivity and respect for diversity.
• Ability to handle stressful situations professionally.