Psychosocial Support Officer at Terre des hommes Foundation (Tdh)

General Description of the Position

• The primary function of the position is to carry out an array of age and gender appropriate psychosocial support activities for children and adolescent whose life skill and social skills will be developed and/or strengthened through appliance of participatory non-formal and informal education methodologies which are instrumental in strengthening the positive coping capacities of boys and girls, restoration of their normalcy, routine, stability, structure and hope for the future.
• The activities will be well-integrated into Northeastern Nigerian protection system and humanitarian coordination practices and guidelines and will respect culture and contextual sensitivities.

Responsibilities & Tasks
Key Responsibilities:

• Conduct specific child-focused and adolescent-focused activities for psychosocial well-being and building resiliency of children and adolescents by ensuring a variety of activities that include active games, sports, expressive/creative activities, life skills, educational activities
• Engaging children and adolescent in activities and functioning of Child Clubs and Youth Clubs and provide support in this process
• Mobilize children, adolescent boys and girls from the Child Clubs and Youth Clubs to launch community service projects that suit their interest, promote their psychosocial well-being and create an opportunity for their direct social engagement at community level
• Conduct Emotional Support Group sessions for parents/caregivers
• Together with the Outreach Team, participate in a conduct of awareness sessions on child protection issues and the right to education and the issues affecting the protection and well-being of children
• Participate in facilitation of the trainings and meetings with School-based Management Committees, teachers, education volunteers
• Provide basic counseling sessions to support children and their caregivers to better cope with difficulties, distress and enhance their resiliency
• Support and empower children and caregivers in accessing and benefitting from services and activities that enhance their integration within the host community
• Identify vulnerable children and adults in a need of protection or support and conduct referral to the case management team
• Establish and maintain positive and efficient relations with target beneficiaries, community members, education personnel, partner’s staffers and all the other key actors;
• Make sure to have supplies available for the activities at all times and ensure that at the end of the day the material is securely stored
• Seek for synergies to optimize resources and time and strengthening services for the beneficiaries whenever possible
• Prepare weekly activity schedule, keep a record of newly registered beneficiaries, fill beneficiaries daily’s attendance lists and other reports as required by the line manager and ensure accuracy and timely submission
• Under the guidance of the PSS Team Leader, conduct participatory monitoring activities to collect beneficiaries’ feedback and opinions on the quality and satisfaction with the activities.
• Provide effective supervision, mentorship and guidance to PSS volunteers.
• Participate in surveys and data collection when required.
• Perform any other job-related duties as requested by the line manager.

Child Protection:

• Promote inclusion and equal access for every child, paying particular attention to the most vulnerable and at-risk children
• Identify potential cases of children victims and/or at heightened risk of violence, abuse, exploitation and neglect and any other child protection concern or threat and report to the Case Management Team
• Maintain strict confidentiality regarding information and data of beneficiaries at all times.
• Ensure Tdh Child Safeguarding Policy and Child Protection Minimum Standards are mainstreamed through all the programmatic activities.
• Report serious cases of abuse committed against children to the Child Protection Project Manager and/or PSS Technical Officer. Strict confidentiality shall be respected.

Coordination & Representation:

• Coordinates with other Tdh sectors to ensure implementation of standardized activities and with other departments (programme and support) of Tdh Nigeria as necessary
• Represent Tdh project in fora and meetings held at site level in her/his field of expertise.

Other:

• Fully comply with the Tdh Code of Conduct and ensure Child Safeguarding Policy is upheld at all times
• Ensure adherence to Tdh standards and quality requirements in all the project activities.

Mandatory Requirements
Education Requirement:

• University Degree in Psychology, Sociology, Social Studies, or related discipline.

Language Skills:

• Fluency in local languages and English (speaking/reading/writing).

Work Experience:

• Minimum 2 years of experience in Child Protection in emergencies, with prior involvement in implementing psychosocial support activities within an INGO context.

Knowledge & Skills:

• Strong analytical and writing skills.

Computer Skills:

• Proficiency in MS Office software package.