Job Vacancies at Terre des hommes Foundation (Tdh)

General Objective

• Reporting to the Team Lead, under the overall supervision and technical guidance of the Programme Manager, the MHPSS Supervisor takes the lead in the development and implementation of the MHPSS guidelines, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and Tdh’s MHPSS and child protection/education in emergencies programme.
• The MHPSS Supervisor is responsible for supervising and providing technical guidance to the MHPSS team for quality delivery of Mental Health and Psychosocial support services including group activities for children and adults and recreational activities to identified children and their families.
• S/He adopts a continuum of care approach, from the promotion of Mental Health and psychosocial wellbeing to the prevention of further distress and MH conditions.
• S/He emphasizes referral between layers of the MHPSS pyramid to ensure a continuum of care and a holistic approach.
• S/he makes sure that the quality of the work done is in line with the Tdh mandate, Tdh commitments, and interagency standards.

Responsibilities & Tasks
Program Planning and Implementation:

• Develop, implement, and monitor the MHPSS components of the projects in the intervention areas, in accordance with the proposals, standards, and principles
• Lead planning and implementation of MHPSS activities and develop necessary tools to support the project’s implementation
• Identify emotional or behavioural issues or disorders amongst child beneficiaries and provide regular reports on the trend to the line manager.
• Specifically provide specialized mental health services such as clinical counselling to children and their caregivers who are experiencing psychological/psychosocial distress
• Help clients (children/caregivers) define goals and plan action to achieve personal, social, educational, and vocational development and adjustment
• Monitor client progress through regular structured meetings or sessions
• Provides technical advice and upon request supervises and supports psychological, PSS, and PFA activities with children, adolescents, caregivers, and the community
• Provides psychological support (individual or group) to children, adolescents, caregivers, and the community in psychosocial distress and schedules follow-up meetings as appropriate.
• Oversee the review of the MHPSS curriculum in line with the MHPSS needs of children, adolescents, and caregivers
• Support the development of referral pathways to strengthen links to integrated services for MHPSS survivors
• Contribute to the initial and regular assessments of the MHPSS needs and project impact
• Assist in the identification of psycho-social needs and proposition needed interventions
• Participate in planning and budget exercises
• Prepare timely purchase requests in line with the MHPSS component of the project
• Ensure holistic services for survivors of gender-based violence including clinical management and psychosocial support
• Participates in PSS and PFA activities with parents and caregivers, emotional support groups, parent groups, focus group discussions, and awareness sessions by supporting implementing MHPSS staff in conducting activities, sessions, and events with individuals, groups, and families
• Facilitate regular awareness sessions on psychological disorders for the community to counter the stigma
• Contributes actively to the identification of cases of neglect, abuse, exploitation, and coercion against children
• Supports case management when required, especially the individual cases of the most critical nature, falling within level 3 of the MHPSS intervention pyramid, through technical monitoring, direct service provision, and ensuring cases under assistance receive care and support needed, respecting IASC MHPSS guidelines
• Conduct field visits to monitor and support MHPSS activities and interventions provided
• Support technical quality of programming by providing feedback and mentorship
• Assist in the implementation of preventive MHPSS interventions in the community
• Lead in conducting MHPSS risk analysis (including service mappings) and developing local action to address identified concerns.
• Ensure the MHPSS component of the programme respond to any change (outbreaks, new needs arising, opening of new programs, the influx of IDPs, camp closure, returnees, etc.)
• Identify logistic and admin support needs related to the MHPSS project and communicate these to the Team Lead and/or relevant log/admin support person
• Ensure the compliance of the activities with the internal and sector quality standards
• Undertake all other duties as assigned by the Team Lead that are compatible with the job.
• Provide written and concise monthly reports to the line manager on all activities undertaken

Staff management:

• Supervise all MHPSS field staff and volunteers assigned to the project, as well as consultants recruited to support and/or undertake specific MHPSS activities
• Responsible for MHPSS team members’ daily performance and the development of their daily/weekly/monthly work plan
• Support in carrying out necessary recruitment process when needed, in collaboration with the HR department and the Team Lead
• Lead appraisal exercises with directly supervised staff
• Promote a constructive, motivational, and respectful working environment within the team
• Provide individual and group counselling to CP team members in need, ensuring staff well-being
• Assess the needs of MHPSS training for Tdh staff and work closely with the Programme Manager and HR in organizing and/or providing training

Capacity building and development:

• Assess the capacity-building needs and gaps of MHPSS staff and volunteers
• Develop appropriate training objectives, planning, case studies, contents, and educational materials
• Provide capacity building to Tdh staff
• Support MHPSS Officers in delivering training or workshop
• Provide training and capacity building to MHPSS project’s staff supported by the Team Lead
• Ensure technical oversight and field monitoring of the MHPSS program staff and volunteers in close coordination with Team Lead, notably to ensure quality control and adequate implementation of the planned tools and frameworks

Monitoring and Reporting:

• Lead the MHPSS team (officers and volunteers) in ensuring proficient information management, monitoring and evaluation, and information sharing
• With the support of the MEAL staff, s/he will manage and consolidate MHPSS databases
• Support the development of mental health and psychosocial monitoring and evaluation tools and related activities for improving performance
• In coordination with the MEAL department, s/he is tasked with data protection assurance
• Lead the development of appropriate IEC materials on MHPSS, to build awareness of services and promote key messages
• In coordination with the MEAL department, s/he ensures to lead MHPSS programme compliance key actions, including developing, implementing, and archiving the source of verification on a regular basis.
• Review the progress of the MHPSS component of the project on monthly basis through reporting on the Programme Follow Up
• Submit weekly SITREPs and Monthly reports of activities
• Provide the Team Lead and Project Manager with the inputs for regular donor and internal reports
• Lead and/or supervise MHPSS service mapping in the intervention area
• Assess the current MHPSS programming within Nigeria, identify gaps, duplications, challenges, and best practices
• Promote the culture of learning and documentation so that lessons learned, and good practices are documented and shared
• Contribute to donor and internal reporting

Coordination:

• Regularly liaise with the directorate of relevant ministries, agencies, and departments (MWASD, MoH, MoE, SUBEB, SAME, LGEA)
• Under the supervision of the Team Lead, coordinate MHPSS activities with the staff and volunteers
• Under the supervision of the Team Lead, reporting and participation within the MHPSS working group and CPSS
• Coordinate with other humanitarian actors within the area of responsibility, and actively participate in coordination mechanisms including the MHPSS working group and the Child Protection Sub Sector, CM Task Force, and other working groups.
• Ensure full coordination with communities and community leaders.
• Promote coordination and integration with other sectors within Tdh
• Participate in specific mental health/psychosocial sector meetings or related meetings such as Protection, GBV, and Child protection upon request from the line manager.

Others:

• Commit to respect Tdh Risk Management Policies including Tdh Code of Conduct, Child Safeguarding Policy, Safety, and Security Policy and Anti-Fraud/Corruption Policy, Whistle Blowing Policy
• Ensure adherence to Tdh standards and quality requirements in all the project activities.
• Promote, and ensure project activities are in line with child protection principles and humanitarian principles
• Ensure the project activities are well-integrated into the Northeastern Nigeria child protection system and humanitarian coordination practices and guidelines
• Ensure Tdh Child Safeguarding Policy and Child Protection Minimum Standards are mainstreamed through all the programmatic activities
• Commit to ensuring the best implementation possible of the Tdh Risk Management Policies
• Commit to inform supervisors and to deal with any cases, allegations, or the possibility of transgression, even potential, of the Tdh Risk Management Policies.
• Adhere to and ensure the team under her/his responsibility follows Tdh administrative and logistical regulations and procedures.

Security:

• Comply with Tdh Security Regulations.

Requirements
Education:

• Bachelor's Degree in Clinical Psychology or any other relevant field of Psychology or Master’s Degree in Psychology (highly desirable).

Work Experience:

• Minimum of at least 3 years of proven experience in the field of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support.

Language Skills:

• Excellent written and spoken English.
• Proficient in Hausa and  Kanuri.

Knowledge & Skills:

• Previous experience with an INGO is mandatory. Experience in protection, notably child protection and team management is required.
• In-depth knowledge of the mental health and psychosocial support issues in Nigeria especially in emergency settings is required.
• Computer skills: Excellent IT skills.

Competencies:

• Strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills
• Ability to communicate effectively with children and adults, local authorities, and other partners, and express oneself concisely
• Proficient capacity-building skills
• Excellent team-building skills and ability to work in a multicultural environment and under pressure
• Active team player contributing to overall team performance
• Experience in supporting the medical team and community-based organizations
• Experience working with survivors of trauma, including GBV survivors.

Salary

• NGN422,000 Monthly Net.

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General Description of the Position

• Reporting to the MHPSS Supervisor, the main purpose of this position is to carry out an array of age and gender-appropriate psychosocial support activities for the most vulnerable and at-risk children, adolescents, and caregivers with respect to their culture and contextual sensitivities.
• The activities will be well-integrated into the North-eastern Nigerian protection system and humanitarian coordination practices and guidelines. The activities will be carried out in Borno State areas according to the evolving needs of the project.

Key Responsibilities
Psychosocial Support:

• Conduct specific child-focused activities for psychosocial well-being and building resilience for the most vulnerable and at-risk children and adolescents by ensuring a variety of activities that include active games, sports, expressive/creative activities, life skills, and educational activities.
• Mobilize adolescent boys and girls to launch empowering activities that suit their interests, promote their psychosocial well-being and create an opportunity for their direct social engagement at the community level.
• Conduct emotional group support sessions for caregivers.
• Work with the Community Development Officer to conduct awareness sessions on child protection issues and issues affecting the protection and well-being of children.
• Provide basic counseling sessions to support children and their caregivers to better cope with difficulties, and distress and enhance their resilience.
• Identify vulnerable children and adults in a need of protection or support and conduct referrals to the case management team and/or education team as appropriate.
• Establish and maintain positive and efficient relations with target beneficiaries, community members, humanitarian actors, and all the other key stakeholders for the successful delivery of PSS interventions.
• Ensure availability of the PSS materials and safe storage and maintenance of the PSS materials.
• Prepare weekly activity schedule, keep a record of newly registered beneficiaries, fill beneficiaries’ daily attendance lists, and other reports as required by the line manager and ensure accuracy and timely submission.
• Establish a new youth/children’s club or work with existing ones to identify child-related protection risks and implement local actions to address them.
• Under the guidance of the MHPSS Supervisor, conduct participatory monitoring activities to collect beneficiaries’ feedback and opinions on the quality and satisfaction of activities.
• Provide supervision, mentorship, and guidance to PSS volunteers.
• 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 child 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 Worker.
• 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 CPEiE Project Manager and/or Tdh CFRM. Strict confidentiality must be respected.

Coordination & Representation:

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

Other:

• Fully comply with 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.
• Adhere to and ensure the team under her/his responsibility follows Tdh administrative and logistical regulations and procedures.
• The tasks and responsibilities defined in this job description are not exhaustive and can evolve depending on the project needs.

Requirements
Education Degree:

• University degree in Psychology, Sociology, Social Studies, or any other related discipline.

Language Skills:

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

Work Experience:

• Minimum 2 years of experience in the field of Child Protection in emergencies with previous experience implementing psychosocial support activities in an INGO.

Knowledge & Skills:

• Good analytical and writing skills.

Computer Skills:

• Good knowledge of MS office software package.

Other:

• Knowledge of Education systems in Northeastern Nigeria/Good capacity building with good supervisory / team management skills.

Salary
N344,000 monthly.