Psycho-Social Support Officer at INTERSOS

Job Purpose

• Under the management of the Senior Protection Officer, the PSS officer will coordinate with the community volunteers and the management in responding to the psychosocial needs of the crisis affected IDPS in Anka and Gusau in Zamfara State and work with the community volunteers to facilitate community-based activities, advocacy and sensitization effort that prevent, mitigate, and respond to risk for safety and wellbeing of affected population.

Responsibilities

• Assesses and plans response mechanism that meet the needs of affected population.
• Provides technical support and supervision for the implementation of PSS activities in-line with current best practices to the community volunteers.
• Conducts individual assessments for the diagnosis of possible psychological disorders and the identification of a therapeutic intervention plan for people identified.
• Conducts capacity building training on psychosocial support services and other safeguarding action for community volunteers.
• Facilitates procurement and distribution of PSS materials at Gusua and Anka LGAs
• Close cases when the objectives in the PSS intervention plan have been met and no further needs have been identified.
• Coordinate the community sensitization activities.
• Provides continuous psycho-social support via regular follow-up meetings, establishing a relationship built on trust and respecting confidentiality protocols.
• Contributes to regular reporting, programme and proposal development, providing insight and analysis on PSS issues, challenges, gaps and best-practices.
• Leads on distribution and ensure the distribution activity is in line with the best practice.

Planning and Coordination:

• Coordinates with relevant partners and develop psychosocial strategies and referral services to meet different needs of the affected population.
• Coordinates with other partners to facilitate advocacy activities to improve the condition of affected population.
• Monitors and ensures that the monthly FGDs are facilitated in coordination with community volunteers.
• Represents INTERSOS in community meeting as required and maintain positive relationship 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.
• Supports positive team dynamics and a healthy work environment where case workers feel comfortable and supported in sharing experiences, challenges and feelings.

Reporting and Administrative:

• Documents all general protection activities as per INTERSOS and donor reporting regulations and transmit these on a weekly basis for compilation.
• Supports the planning, implementation and reporting on all protection activities via weekly workplans, schedules and people management.
• Contributes to facilitation of procurement of program supplies.
• Ensures timely payment of community volunteers by provide necessary support documents on timely.
• Oversees the proper and safe filing and archiving of PSS client files and activity reports files to maintain data confidentiality as per INTERSOS and international standards.
• Performs other duties and responsibility.
• Flags PSS and security issues and contribute to the identification of appropriate responses.
• Identifies and assists in the analysis of PSS trends in the overall caseload.
• Strengthens existing community-based PSS and peer support group activities, where such exist and help to develop them where none currently exist.
• Participates in external meetings and trainings on PSS issues, as well as case conferences with partners as needed.
• Identifies and reports gaps in the availability and quality of PSS service provision in the target areas.
• Any other activities specified by the supervisory/managerial team.
• handling. Engage in regular feedback and dialogue with the Senior Protection Officer on quantitative and qualitative reporting.

Data Protection, Confidentiality & Adherence To Protection Principles:

• Oversee the proper and safe filing and archiving of PSS client files and activity reports files to maintain data confidentiality as per INTERSOS and international standards.
• Carry out all tasks respecting key protection principles, including but not limited to.
  • Do no harm
  • Non-discrimination
  • Confidentiality
  • Accountability
  • Need-to-know principles.

Position Requirements

• University Degree in a related field (e.g., Psychology, Social Work, etc…).
• Minimum of 3 years relevant work experience in psychology, social work, counselling, etc.
• Minimum of 1 year relevant experience with an INGO, NGOs and/or local authorities in Nigeria.
• Essential computer literacy (Microsoft Office Suite, e-mail, internet, etc…).
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Excellent analytical and reporting skills.
• Leadership, people management and coaching skills.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Willing to work extra hours and available at the weekend for emergency cases.
• Capacity to work under pressure and willingness to work and live in a complex context.
• Fluency in English, Fulani and Hausa.