Psychosocial Support (PSS) Officer at African Youth for Peace Development and Empowerment (AFRYDEV)

About the Position (Task and Responsibilities)

General Position Summary 

The PSS officer will provide support for survivors throughout the project lifespan. He/she will be in constant contact with the survivors and working in Damaturu and Yusufari LGAs of Yobe state, He/she will support and strengthen survivors, ensure continuous reporting of their accompaniments to, and with survivors for referrals. He/she will also contribute to the participation of the survivors in the IRM process.

Essential Job Responsibilities 

• Support survivors in their journey back to mental, physical, economic, and social health by developing a framework of continuous trust with survivors.
• Be survivor-focused, always available to talk with survivors at their request, either through individual consultations or in focus groups, and always ensuring all actions are in the best interests of, and for the protection of survivors.
• Inform and guide survivors and be a source of advice for any challenges on implementing interim reparations measures either from the survivors, or from others, including their community or family in the intervention areas. This is to be done by being an active, empathetic, and professional listener.
• Constantly follow-up on survivor’s participation in the project implementation and rigorously accompany the survivor to take advantage of the transformative agenda of the project.
• Conduct daily home visits for updates and interviews, if needed with the family, and for psychological follow-up of survivors.
• Ensure the smooth running of the documentation system and the regular filling of the database for survivor referrals according to the tools developed.
• Identify local networks and available community services to establish a referral system.
• Record and report survivors' clinical needs, consultations or activities and follow up on referrals made for survivors.
• Facilitate workshops on various topics, including identifying signs of post- traumatic stress, or educational support as may be needed by the survivors.
• Identify and support training needs, both for survivors and for community care providers.
• Communicate promptly and effectively through regular reporting and debriefings with the project officer and project coordinator.
• Participate in the organization and capacity building of survivors in all areas requiring their expertise for the successful implementation of the project.
• Establish community mechanisms among survivors for their protection in the implementation of CARE and AFRYDEV.
• Coordinate survivors’ community reintegration and rehabilitation through improvement of relations with religious and traditional institutions, as well as other members of the community.

PROGRAM MANAGEMENT AND COORDINATION

• Provide active technical support to the team in the organization and conduct of their work, consistent with the priorities and schedules defined in the team and validated by the project coordinator.
• Active and proactive participation in team leadership and supporting all team members to take ownership of the project.
• Conflict resolution and arbitration if necessary, and regular formal individual evaluations of team members.
• Be the coordination or communication relay between the rest of the team and survivors.
• Ensure contacts with the authorities in the field for a good external relationship with the community and related stakeholders.
• Report logistical needs, particularly the organization of meetings, workshops, training, and field team planning under the coordination of the supervisory team.

Collaboration / Ethical Operating Standards:

• Working effectively with stakeholders to achieve common goals.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Builds and maintains effective working relationships with AFRYDEV program staff and the beneficiaries.
• Team building and survivor’s management skills.
• Approachable and good listening skills 
• Field Based

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• A bachelor’s degree or HND in psychology, Psychosocial Studies, Mental Health, Psychotherapy, Nursing, or a related discipline; A Master’s degree is an added advantage.
• Have worked for at least 3 years in a program or project with people in vulnerable situations, including survivors of sexual violence.
• Excellent computer skills and excellent tech- skills.
• Proficiency level in English and Hausa (written and spoken). Kanuri is an added advantage.
• Proficiency level in other languages spoken in Yobe.
• Knowledge of gender issues, girl’s and women's rights, and issues related to sexual violence in conflict.
• Demonstrate experience in civil society organizations or organizations with a good reputation in the community.
• Possess and demonstrate effective small group communication and conversational skills.
• Willingness to carry out numerous missions, sometimes lasting several months, within the LGAs during the project.
• Ability to analyze and adapt approaches to different environments and actors.
• Be available to reside in the assigned local government for the duration of the project.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to strictly respect the obligations of confidentiality and discretion, as well as strictly respect the protocols of care.
• Ability to listen to and empathize with all the participants, regardless of the violence they have suffered and its context, and regardless of their gender or their social, cultural, ethnic, or religious background.
• Organizational rigor and autonomy in the execution of the required tasks.
• Ability to adapt to a variety of tasks, taking initiative, working under pressure and in difficult areas.
• Good communication and public speaking skills and ability to adapt to the target audience.
• Professionalism in dealing with various interlocutors and partners, especially in a multicultural context.
• Amiable interpersonal skills.
• Proactively take on any additional responsibilities, functions, or tasks that arise during the execution of the program due to absence of other personnel, or any other unforeseen reason.

Note

• AFRYDEV is an equal opportunity employer, does not discriminate gender, religion, or ethnicity, However, this position is community based and as such community member are highly encouraged to apply.
• AFRYDEV recruitment and selection procedures do not involve any form of payment to the organization, staff and or any assigned third party, requests of such kinds should be immediately reported.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.