Psychosocial Worker at Premiere Urgence Internationale (PUI)

Location: Maiduguri, Borno
Slots: 2 Openings
Contract Start Date: 1st December, 2021
Contract End Date: 31st May, 2022 (renewable based on availability of funding)

Background

• The PUI Nigerian Mission was officially opened in April 2016, with a focus on meeting urgent humanitarian needs, including improving access to food commodities for Internally Displaced People (IDP) and host communities (HC), later adding Primary Health Care and Nutrition activities. This initial intervention was focused on populations living in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC) LGA.
• The progressive sectorial widening allowed PUI to start implementing an integrated programming from 2017 onward in Bolori II sub-ward of MMC, in food security, livelihoods, nutrition, health, and Protection and Community Outreach (PCO), with the support of ECHO, FFP, OFDA and CIAA / CDC, in line with PUI’s global strategy.
• In 2018, PUI also started MHPSS activities. In parallel, PUI is supporting the coordination mechanisms through the Logistics Sector by consolidating and transporting humanitarian partners’ cargo funded by WFP since 2016.

General Objectives

• Under the direct supervision of the MHPSS Project Supervisor, the psychosocial worker will perform all MHPSS activities in the field, including the provision of individual and group sessions, referrals to other services and conduct awareness sessions.
• S/he will fill data records, and perform data entry on a weekly basis.
• S/he will take part in weekly office meetings, attend formal trainings, on job training and provide weekly case presentations.

Responsibilities and Task
Implementation and Monitoring of the MHPSS Activities:

• Provide psychosocial support to people in the community in psychosocial / psychological distress through individual and/or group sessions
• Refer people presenting symptoms of severe psychological distress, mental disorders and substance use to specialised services following the internal procedures
• Follow up on internal and external referrals (specialised services, basic services, etc.)
• Work in collaboration with other departments’ and provide guidance to them on PSS.
• Ensure the content of the session remains confidential and that ethical practices are observed in a culturally appropriated way, especially with respect to gender sensitivities.
• Perform community awareness on symptoms of mild to moderate psychological / psychosocial distress.

Communication and Reporting:

• Fill in the MHPSS data collection tools and file them in a secured manner
• Fill in all reporting and data collection forms on a daily basis
• Do the weekly data entry of collected information from the field
• Attend the weekly MHPSS Team meetings
• Attend all MHPSS related trainings provided.as requested
• Assist with any other related activities as deemed necessary by the MHPSS PM.

Supervision of Pyschosocial Awareness Volunteers:

• Manage the PAVs and ensure that they are compliant with the procedures
• Supervise the work of the PAVs by conducting regular field visits during awareness sessions and recreational activities
• With the support of the MHPSS PM, provide trainings to PAV on PFA, communication skills, self-care and other PSS related topics
• Participates in the recruitment process of PAV
• Follow-up with finance to ensure PAVs’ monthly incentives are paid on time
• Ensures that awareness sessions are appropriately conducted following the MHPSS guidelines
• With the support of the MHPSS PM, manage problems or difficulties encountered by PAV during community awareness session
• Ensures proper data collation of individuals reached during door to door / community awareness sessions.

Logistics and Administrations:

• Supports the logistical and administrative organization, planning, and preparation as directed by the PM
• Ensures the safety and proper use of materials and tools related to MHPSS activities during on-site works
• Supports the supply of materials to the work site as directed by the supervisor.

Mandatory Requirements
Language Skills:

• Good command in English (Speaking, Reading, & writing) and fluent in Local Languages (Hausa).

Education Degree:

• Degree / Certificate in Psychology, Counseling, Social Work, Nursing or other related fields.

Work Experience:

• Experience in working as a psychosocial worker, or psychosocial counselor, or community social worker

Knowledge and Skills:

• Knowledge of local areas and community structures oAble to work in a stressful environment and move around to work in Health Facilities and Safe Spaces
• Able to maintain confidentiality.

Computer skills:

• Excellent knowledge of the MS Office software including Word, Excel and Outlook.

Others:

• Good team player
• Good reporting skill assets.

Transversal Skills:

• Excellent communication, conflict solving and diplomacy skills to manage relationship in potentially tense situations
• Strong motivation to help people in need
• Ability to make decisions
• Ability to work independently in the field
• Understanding of the political situation in the area
• Ability to analyze and suggest improvements of the activities
• Team player
• Ability to adapt or change priorities according to the changing situation
• Well organized and hard worker
• Able to manage stress and pressure
• Problem solving and conflict resolution skills
• Able to check validity of information, logical thinking
• Neutrality
• Reliability.