Psychosocial Support Team Member (Lay Counsellor) at Committed To Good (CTG)

Overview of position:

Under the overall supervision of the MHPSS / Protection Program Manager & the direct supervision of the National Program Officer (MHPSS) & closely coordinating with the Protection Officers (Gender Based Violence (GBV), Mainstreaming & Counter Trafficking (CT)), the successful candidates’ primary role will be to implement MHPSS / protection activities in Katsina state, as member of the Psychosocial Support (PSS) team.

Role objectives:

• Conduct MHPSS & protection assessments in coordination with the Protection Assistant & MHPSS National Program Officer.
• Map existing & available support provisions at the micro level, including but not limited to existing community structures & resources, relevant government (govt.) ministries & parastatal services, health facilities, academic institutions, NGOs, CBOs, FBOs, as well as UN entities & design, together with the supervisor, initiatives to reinforce their capacity.
• Develop an intervention plan in coordination with the Project Assistant & provide tailored MHPSS & protection services to the affected populations based on the needs, concerns & other risk factors identified during the MHPSS / protection assessment.
• Provide emotional & psychological support, including supportive communication, individual & group counselling as well as Psychological First Aid (PFA) to the affected population in need.
• Provide direct assistance to the most vulnerable individuals & families of the affected populations, such as women, children, the elderly, persons living with disabilities, survivors of violence & socially marginalized or excluded persons.
• Follow up on the integration of the abductees / escapees & their families into community life.
• Organize, together with the Social Worker of the PSS team, sensitization, information dissemination sessions (messages related to health, psychosocial concerns, GBV, PSEA & TiP) & problem solving group sessions on identified social problems encountered by the affected individuals & communities.
• Strengthen existing social networks & promote participatory initiatives aimed at activating protective, restorative & transformative psychosocial factors at the community level, such as mutual support, intra & inter family cooperation, public gatherings, peer to peer support & dialogue.
• Identify cases that require specialized intervention & refer them to the appropriate service providers in close coordination with the Protection Assistant & MHPSS National Program Officer & respond to cases referred by other organizations.
• Organize support & discussion groups & forums & coordinate with the PSS team members as to the need to integrate vulnerable individuals within the psychosocial groups’ activities.
• In coordination with the Protection Assistant & MHPSS National Program Officer, provide technical guidance, capacity building training & supervision to community focal points, community structures & volunteers in the concerned communities, ensuring that the program’s activities are effectively communicated & carried out in participatory & inclusive ways.
• Report daily activities.
• Undertake duty travel to very challenging areas when necessary.
• Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Project reporting:

• This role will work under the overall supervision of the MHPSS / Protection Program Manager & the direct supervision of the National Program Officer (MHPSS) & closely coordinating with the Protection Officers (Gender Based Violence (GBV), Mainstreaming & Counter Trafficking (CT)).

Key competencies:

• University Degree from accredited institutions in Social Sciences, Social Work, Psychology, or in a related field or an equivalent combination of education, training & experience.
• Minimum of 3 years of relevant experience, including capacity building functions within the humanitarian field.
• Experience in the provision of MHPSS services (including (lay) counselling, individual & group support sessions, PFA & emotional support) to displaced & conflict affected individuals & communities.
• Open & positive attitude & ability to communicate in a trustful manner with all members of the affected community.
• Genuine care & respect for the needs of vulnerable populations with a strong belief in empowering marginalized & disenfranchised people.
• High integrity & willingness to conduct her / himself transparently & open to scrutiny.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, ability to work under pressure, with minimal supervision & in a culturally diverse team.
• Strong interpersonal skills & demonstrated ability to establish effective & trustful working relations with local staff & other stakeholders.
• Excellent analytical & communication skills.
• Ability to independently carry out tasks, proactivity, ability to multi task & to prioritize.
• Knowledge of social & development issues in Nigeria, particularly within the area of responsibility.
• Excellent report writing skills.
• Written & spoken English.
• Written & spoken Hausa.
• Knowledge of Fulfulbe is an advantage.
• Inclusion & respect for diversity respect & promote individual & cultural differences, encourage diversity & inclusion wherever possible.
• Maintain high ethical standards & acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles / rules & standards of conduct.
• Demonstrates the ability to work in a composed, competent & committed manner & exercises careful judgment in meeting day to day challenges.
• Develops & promotes effective collaboration within & across units to achieve shared goals & optimize results.
• Delivering results produces & delivers quality results in a service oriented & timely manner, is action oriented & committed to achieving agreed outcomes.
• Managing & sharing knowledge continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge & innovate.
• Takes ownership for achieving the organization’s priorities & assumes responsibility for own actions & delegated work.
• Encourages & contributes to clear & open communication, explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring & motivational way.
• Provides a clear sense of direction, leads by example & demonstrates the ability to carry out the organization’s vision, assists others to realize & develop their potential.
• Empowering others & building trust creates an atmosphere of trust & an enabling environment where staff can contribute their best & develop their potential.
• Work strategically to realize the organization’s goals & communicates a clear strategic direction.

Team management:

• This role has no team management responsibillity.

Further information:

• Qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply for this role.