Job Openings at The Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA)

MISSION AND MAIN ACTIVITIES

Under the guidance of the Project Medical Referent and technical support of the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Manager for Nigeria, the MHPSS OFFICER will report to the MHPSS Supervisor, and will provide overall ALIMA’s MHPSS interventions for the beneficiaries in the project.

Main responsibilities: 

• Integrate MHPSS to SRH, /SGBV/GBV, malnutrition and all other health units including emergency response, i.e. disease outbreaks, natural disasters etc.
• Conduct case-by-case needs assessments for the diagnosis of psychological disorders and identification of treatment and therapy
• Carry out evaluation of mental health needs of patients/beneficiaries and establishing a diagnosis and a plan of treatment following WHO MHGAP approach and ALIMA case management protocols. Referring cases to other health professionals whenever necessary, in order to provide the most appropriate treatment and improve the patient\'s condition
• Provide psychological support and psychotherapy sessions (individual, family, group) to beneficiaries in need according to ALIMA, MHGAP and other standards protocols in order to improve their psycho-social and mental health conditions
• Assist cases with identified mental or emotional disorders referred internally or externally
• Document progress on cases, maintaining strict protocols for confidentiality and consent, and ensure that data protection protocols are respected
• Support in providing capacity building for ALIMA teams to increase technical capacity and referral by other units.
• Facilitate trainings for internal staffs and communities on psychological first aid (PFA)
• Support in providing capacity building for caregivers especially in child psycho stimulation programs & Work in close collaboration with health promoters. 
• Strengthen community based psychosocial support and peer support group activities standard protocols and procedures set in order to provide the most appropriate management.
• Carry out all tasks respecting key protection principles, including but not limited to: do no harm, non-discrimination, confidentiality, accountability and need-to-know principles
•  Support in organizing events, i.e world mental health day, GBV 16 days of activism.
• Engage with health promoters, community mobilizers, and community leaders to coordinate, organize, and promote MHPSS /SGBV activities in the designated locations
• Prepare and conduct psychoeducation.
• Work in close coordination with the MHPSS senior management and focal points on issues related to the field in terms of identification of challenges encountered, gaps, provide all necessary information to ensure better implementation of activities.
• Submit monthly reports, in addition to the data collection sheet that should be filled on a weekly basis to the MHPSS supervisor
•  Report any concerning issues first hand to the direct supervisor;
• Perform other duties as assigned.

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in social work, mental health, psychology or related fields
• Minimum of 2 years of specialized experience in community based psychosocial support interventions particularly as it relates to social norms change.
• Experience with medical international NGO, an asset
• Experience in a similar position for at least 2 years.
• Demonstrated experience on counselling skills.
• Perfect knowledge of MS Office package, especially Excel & Word
• Languages- fluent -English oral & written. Mandatory and local language of the region-Hausa etc

BEHAVIORAL SKILLS

•  Strong interpersonal skills, teamwork.
• Strong communication skills
• Ability to work on own initiative and adaptable to changing needs and situations
• Flexible, patient and adaptable to a changing environment.
• Ability to work under pressure with numerous deadlines, etc.

FEMALE CANDITATES ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY

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MISSION AND MAIN ACTIVITIES

Under the guidance of the Project Medical Referent and technical support of the MHPSS Manager for Nigeria, the MHPSS supervisor will provide overall technical and programmatic oversight of ALIMA’s MHPSS interventions. The MHPSS supervisor will lead the process in development, implementation, and coordination of all MHPSS activities and supervise MHPSS Officers.

Main responsibilities: 

• Support integration of MHPSS to SGBV/ GBV, SRH, nutrition, and all other health sections
•  Coordinate and ensure that mental health activities with patients and children i.e. psycho stimulation etc are performed with regular follow-ups, and ensure that the mental health team remains calm and neutral.
• Ensure effective evaluation of mental health needs of patients/beneficiaries/caregivers and establishing a diagnosis and a plan of treatment following WHO- MHGAP approach and ALIMA case management protocols.
• Ensure Identification of the mental health support needs in the target population and participate in defining, planning, organising and updating the appropriate ALIMA mental health activities.
• Manage, train and supervise the mental health team through activities such as defining job descriptions, capacity-building,
• Map and update the details of existing mental health services, with other actors and define clear referral pathway-both internal and external.
• Proactively participate in relevant meetings, as requested and reports relevant information
• Assisting and training staff members (Nutrition and health) and resourceful people whenever necessary in order to enhance the scope of MHPSS activities. 
• Facilitate trainings/capacity building for communities on psychosocial first aid (PFA) etc, and conduct community-based Psychosocial activities
• Strengthen community based psychosocial support and peer support group activities-Focal group discussions, standard protocols and procedures set in order to provide the most appropriate management.
•  Prepare and conduct psychoeducation and prepare workplan with teams.
• Identify staff MHPSS needs and inform the MHPSS roving manager.
• Conduct POP for all MHPSS Officers.
• Ensure the implementation of all ALIMA standard mental health protocols and procedures. Support in development of IEC materials.
• Collect key client data and prepare reports on progress made, together with observations, challenges faced, and lessons learned.
• Identify knowledge gap and give update for training accordingly.
• Ensuring an appropriate MHPSS approach in the program aligned with the IASC MHPSS guidelines for emergencies and humanitarian settings.
• Carry out all tasks respecting key protection principles, including but not limited to: do no harm, non-discrimination, confidentiality, respect, accountability and need-to-know principles
• Comply with all policies and protocols of ALIMA agency
• Establish and maintain collaborative relations with relevant partners and other project stakeholders working in the project areas
• Prepare sitreps both weekly and monthly.
• Foresee and organize events, i.e world mental health day, GBV 16 days of activism. etc
• Maintain confidentiality throughout.
• Other duties as assigned.

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

• Master’s degree or equivalent in, mental health, psychology or related fields with significant work experience (3years+) in the mentioned fields
• Minimum of 3years of specialized experience in community based psychosocial support interventions particularly as it relates to social norms change.
• Experience with medical international NGO, an asset
• Experience in a similar position for at least 2 years.
• Demonstrate knowledge of IASC guidelines on MHPSS in emergency settings
• Demonstrate experience on counselling skills and clinical supervision of MHPSS staff.
• Track record of developing technical curriculum and materials for delivery of MHPSS programming/activities in low resource setting
• Team management and supervision skills
• Perfect knowledge of MS Office package, especially Excel & Word
• Languages-fluent in English, Hausa. MANDATORY

BEHAVIORAL SKILLS

• Strong interpersonal skills, teamwork.
• Strong communication skills
• Ability to work on own initiative and adaptable to changing needs and situations
• Flexible, patient and adaptable to a changing environment.
• Ability to work under pressure with numerous deadlines, etc.

FEMALE CANDIDATES ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY