Psychosocial Support Officer at Center for Community and Health Development International (CHAD INT'L)

Job Descriptions

• To support CHAD PSS Department to oversee quality improvements in psychosocial support interventions for children affected by the humanitarian crisis in northeast Nigeria.
• To assist the PSS unit in providing necessary intervention to the children in distresses.
• The PSS Officer is required to travel to project sites on regularly bases.
• In the event of a major humanitarian emergency, the role holder will be expected to work outside the normal role profile and be able to vary working hours accordingly.

Key Areas of Accountability
Support PSS activities in Child Protection programming:

• Provide support, in the PSS Programming which includes:
• Ensuring assistance is provided to children affected by the conflict in a  dignified, respectful, equitable, and inclusive manner that supports in rebuilding their resilience
• Assisting children in acute distress and alleviating their stress, for instance ensuring that all staff/partners are trained on PFA and feel confident to use it
• The mainstreaming of inter-agency guidelines and standards (e.g. CPMS) across the different sectors of program activities delivered by CHAD Int`l and her partners
• The use of structured and manualized PSS techniques
• Encourage inclusive participants of parents and caregivers in PSS activities
• 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 as well as other children with protection concerns
• Identify other PSS service providers and agree on referral pathways for children with severe or acute mental disorders

Proposed Outputs

• Refer for individual counseling sessions with children and beneficiaries where required to discuss complex cases.  
• Be available on call if any urgent matters arise that a staff would like to share regarding their casework or his/her personal well being
• Bi-monthly/quarterly progress reports to the Child protection Coordinator to highlight needs and gaps.
• Development of peer/reflective practices with teams
• Support current PSS practices, reflecting on a cross-sectorial approach.   
• Structured PSS activities for boys and girls, organized in age-appropriate groups with a clear methodology or curriculum to promote mental well-being. Such activities must align with CHAD and her donor`s commitments.

Additional Job Responsibilities

• The duties and responsibilities as set out above are not exhaustive and the role holder may be required to carry out additional duties within a reasonable level of their skills and experience.

Equal Opportunities:

• The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with CHAD`s policies and procedures.

Qualifications and Experience
Essential:

• Minimum of BSc in Psychology.
• Minimum of 3 years post NYSC cognate experience in humanitarian NGO
• Experienced in Psychological First Aid, and other psychosocial support (PSS) activities
• Experience working in Child Protection programs, including those with PSS component
• Fluent in English and Hausa is desirable
• Excellent attention to detail, organizational skills, and discretion with confidential information
• Ability to work independently and proactively.

Desirable:

• Experience in humanitarian emergencies and/or a refugee/displacement-setting

Behaviors (Values in Practice)
Accountability:

• Holds self-accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modeling to CHAD`s values

Ambition:

• Sets ambitious and challenging goals for him or herself and their team, takes responsibility for their own personal development, and encourages their team to do the same.
• Widely shares their personal vision for CHAD Intl, engages and motivates others
• Future-orientated, thinks strategically and on a global scale.

Collaboration:

• Builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, Members, and external partners and supporters
• Values diversity, and sees it as a source of competitive strength
• Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to.

Creativity:

• Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions
• Willing to take disciplined risks.

Integrity:

• Honest, encourages openness and transparency; demonstrates highest levels of integrity.