Psychosocial Support (PSS) Officer at International Alert

Organisational Background

International Alert is one of the world's leading peacebuilding organisations, with 30 years of experience supporting communities, advising governments, organisations and companies on how to build peace. Alert works with people in conflict-affected and threatened areas to make a positive difference for peace; to improve the substance and implementation of international policies relevant to peacebuilding; and to strengthen the peacebuilding sector. Alert currently has field offices in over 20 countries and was active in over 40 countries and territories across the world in 2014 in Sub-Saharan Africa, South and South-East Asia, Central Asia and the South Caucasus, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and North Africa.

International Alert began operations in Nigeria in 2011 as a partner on security governance within the Nigeria Stability and Reconciliation programme (NSRP). Since then we have launched social cohesion programmes in the Northeast, while expanding our technical advisory in conflict and gender sensitivity to various governance and reform programmes.

Purpose of the PSS Officer position

Alert has been implementing multiple projects that incorporate comprehensive psychosocial support (PSS) services to support conflict-affected women, men, youth, and children.

Through the overall coordination of the Project Manager and direct technical supervision from the PSS/GBV Coordinator, the PSS officer will be expected to provide psychosocial and/or psychological interventions in an individual or group format, support the overall objective of mainstreaming consistent PSS services into our peacebuilding portfolio; design/adapt tools to map, analyse and address causal factors of psychosocial distress to the survivors we work with in Borno State through conflict sensitive and community-friendly PSS activities, community-based support sessions with the survivors, their families, children in the peace clubs, as well as the survivors who take part in the economic empowerment activities.

The position holder will work with the Project Manager and the PSS/GBV Coordinator to plan activities and collaborate with the accredited Implementing Partners to deliver effective PSS services across all the Project locations. S/he will also be involved in monitoring activities, impacts and the support networks; analyse data from applied tools; and qualitatively contribute to all the reporting cycles (month, quarterly, etc).

The PSS Officer will also be expected to frequently participate at relevant coordination meetings, support the PSS/GBV Coordinator to mentor and/or build the capacity of the Project Team (IA’s Staff and the Implementing Partners).

Key Responsibilities:

• Project implementation: As directed by the Project Manager and the PSS/GBV Coordinator, the post holder will actively contribute in mainstreaming PSS activities into the weekly, monthly and quarterly workplans; and initiate/establish PSS activities -
• That supports community-based psychosocial wellbeing of Project’s conflict-affected survivors (women, men, youth, children) and their families, especially those who experience rejection, stigmatization and, reintegration challenges.
• Build partners’ capacity to provide safe and appropriate PSS services to conflict-affected survivors.
• Collaboratively explore and identify potential risk factors influencing psychosocial distress of the survivors.
• Prevention, response and monitor the conflict context in activity sites and provide timely feedback to the Project Manager and the PSS Coordinator.

2.     Activities/impacts monitoring and reporting,

• As directed by the Project Manager and in collaboration with the PSS/GBV Coordinator, monitor implementation processes, ensure timely delivery of PSS activities across project locations.
• Prepare, review, and submit timely reports from analyzed tools and field feedback.
• Work with the M&E to ensure adequate reporting requirements where possible.
• Ensure relevant PSS tools and modules are in place and applied accordingly.
• Any other reasonable activities as determined by the Project’s leadership.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• University degree in Psychology, Counselling or Social Sciences.
• At least 2 years of work experience in community-focused PSS + SGBV and/or Protection programming/activities. 
• Experience with an international NGO would be an asset
• Excellent coordination and communication skills
• Good oral and written communication skills
• Good knowledge of Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• Ability to work under pressure and in a high-risk security environment

Language Requirement

Excellent ability to communicate in English language (speak, read and write) is mandatory. Strong knowledge of Hausa, Kanuri, Shuwa and other native languages in Borno State will be of high advantage.

Availability

Resumption on this position is contingent upon final approval of expected Project.