ABOUT GHIV AFRICA
Global Village Healthcare Initiative for Africa (GHIV Africa) is a non-governmental, non-for-profit humanitarian/Developmental organization which started in 2014. We deliver assistance to affected populations before, during and after crisis situations.
GHIV Africa was founded to mitigate the health deficit in Africa and to provide all forms of assistance leading to improved quality of life. The organization is equally poised to support the delivery of healthcare services at the doorsteps of every African village by bridging the gap between primary health care delivery and tertiary health care services through a robust referral system.
Our Vision: Is to create an Africa where every village and community has equal access to comprehensive healthcare services, aiming to empower individuals, especially women and children, to lead healthier lives and achieve a higher quality of life, thus fostering a brighter and more equitable future for all.
Our mission: Is to promote equitable access to comprehensive preventive, curative, and rehabilitative services in African communities by providing protection, assistance, education, and information sharing, advancing gender equality, and ending violence against women and girls with the goal of improving overall well-being.
Project Background
The Education Cannot Wait (ECW) project in Nigeria, focusing on the Multi-Year Resilience Programme (MYRP II), addresses the severe educational challenges faced by vulnerable populations in the BAY States (Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe). These regions are grappling with ongoing conflict, climate-related disasters, and systemic poverty, which have significantly disrupted education access, particularly for marginalized children such as girls, children with disabilities, and internally displaced persons (IDPs).
The project adopts an intersectional approach, aiming to increase access to quality education and improve learning outcomes for affected children. It focuses on four key thematic areas: Access, Participation, Inclusion, and Equity; Gender Equality and Empowerment; Learning, Transition, Life Skills, and Wellbeing; and System Resilience, Evidence, and Sustainability. Through a collaborative effort with various stakeholders including MYRP II Consortium comprising of UNICEF as the lead grantee, Save the Children NRC, and GHIV Africa led NNGO-consortium with CATAI and CASFOD, the MYRP will reach over 130,000 children and adolescents with formal and non-formal education, while ensuring that 80,000 children receive essential learning materials and support services like menstrual hygiene kits and life skills mentorship.
By enhancing the educational infrastructure, providing training for educators, and integrating Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) into the learning environment, the ECW project seeks to foster resilience in communities and education systems, ultimately ensuring that all children, regardless of background, can access quality education in a safe and supportive environment.
However, in order to successfully implement this project, GHIV Africa is looking for a suitable and qualified candidate for the position of MHPSS Officer.
Job Title: MHPSS Officer
Location: Borno
Reports To: MHPSS Coordinator or Program Manager
Duration:One year subject to renewal
Type: Full-Time
Job Purpose:
The MHPSS Officer is responsible for coordinating and delivering mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) services within the program, ensuring that individuals and communities affected by crises or emergencies receive appropriate care. This role involves providing direct support to beneficiaries, training staff and local partners on MHPSS techniques, and ensuring that MHPSS activities are integrated into the overall response strategy. The MHPSS Officer will work closely with other sectors, including education, health, and protection, to promote the mental well-being of affected populations.
Key Responsibilities:
- MHPSS Program Implementation:
- Implement mental health and psychosocial support activities based on the program design and objectives, ensuring that they align with international MHPSS standards and guidelines (e.g., IASC Guidelines on MHPSS in Emergency Settings).
- Provide individual and group counseling sessions to individuals and families, particularly vulnerable groups, including children, survivors of gender-based violence (GBV), and individuals with disabilities.
- Coordinate the delivery of psychosocial interventions such as psychological first aid (PFA), peer support groups, and other community-based MHPSS services.
- Develop, adapt, and facilitate MHPSS programs to suit the cultural, social, and linguistic needs of the affected populations.
- Capacity Building and Technical Support:
- Provide training and ongoing support to program staff, local counselors, and community-based volunteers on MHPSS principles, basic counseling skills, and trauma-informed approaches.
- Build the capacity of community members and local partners in delivering community-based mental health and psychosocial support services.
- Ensure that staff and volunteers understand and apply key MHPSS concepts, including confidentiality, safeguarding, and ethical standards in mental health care.
- Case Management and Referrals:
- Conduct intake assessments and identify individuals who require more intensive mental health support, facilitating referrals to specialized mental health services when needed.
- Follow up with beneficiaries receiving psychosocial support, ensuring continuity of care and evaluating the effectiveness of interventions.
- Maintain up-to-date and accurate case management records, including case notes and progress reports, while respecting confidentiality and privacy standards.
- Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting:
- Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of MHPSS interventions, collecting data on key indicators such as mental health symptoms, psychological distress, and program outcomes.
- Ensure that monitoring tools and data collection methods are appropriate, accurate, and aligned with the program’s goals.
- Provide regular reports on MHPSS activities, including progress, challenges, lessons learned, and recommendations for future interventions.
- Analyze MHPSS data and feedback from beneficiaries to identify trends and gaps in service delivery, adjusting interventions as needed.
- Community Engagement and Awareness Raising:
- Engage with local communities, community leaders, and stakeholders to raise awareness about the importance of mental health and the available MHPSS services.
- Lead community-based activities to reduce stigma associated with mental health issues and promote community resilience.
- Organize and facilitate awareness sessions on coping mechanisms, self-care, and mental well-being.
- Integration of MHPSS into Other Sectors:
- Collaborate with other sectors (e.g., education, child protection, WASH, health) to integrate MHPSS services into the broader program interventions.
- Work closely with the education team to provide psychosocial support to children and youth in schools or learning centers, and ensure that mental health and well-being are part of the school environment.
- Coordinate with health teams to identify and address the mental health needs of individuals accessing other health services.
- Child Protection and Safeguarding:
- Ensure that MHPSS activities are implemented in a child-safe and child-friendly manner, respecting the rights and needs of children and adolescents.
- Identify and address any child protection issues related to MHPSS services, including the protection of children from exploitation, abuse, and neglect.
- Promote a child-centered approach within MHPSS programming, ensuring that interventions are tailored to meet the needs of young people, particularly those exposed to trauma.
Qualifications:
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Social Work, Mental Health, or a related field. A Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology or Counseling is preferred.
Experience:
- Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in mental health and psychosocial support roles, preferably in humanitarian or emergency settings.
- Experience in delivering individual and group counseling, as well as providing psychological first aid.
- Experience working with vulnerable populations, including children, survivors of GBV, and individuals with disabilities.
- Knowledge of international standards and best practices in MHPSS, including IASC Guidelines.
Core Competencies:
- MHPSS Expertise:
- In-depth understanding of mental health and psychosocial support frameworks, including trauma-informed care, psychological first aid, and community-based mental health interventions.
- Experience in providing direct mental health support, including counseling, therapy, and psychoeducation.
- Case Management and Referral Skills:
- Strong skills in case management, including intake assessments, identifying needs, and making appropriate referrals to specialized mental health services.
- Ability to work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams to ensure the holistic care of beneficiaries.
- Capacity Building and Training:
- Ability to design and deliver effective training and capacity-building programs on MHPSS topics.
- Experience mentoring and supervising MHPSS staff and local community-based counselors or volunteers.
- Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting:
- Strong analytical skills, with the ability to assess the effectiveness of MHPSS interventions and use data to inform decision-making.
- Experience with monitoring and evaluation processes, including designing tools, collecting data, and preparing reports.
- Cultural Sensitivity and Communication:
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage and build trust with beneficiaries from diverse backgrounds.
- Sensitivity to cultural and social factors that may impact mental health and psychosocial well-being.
- Child Protection and Safeguarding:
- A strong commitment to child protection and safeguarding principles, with experience in working with vulnerable children and families in crisis situations.
- Knowledge of child protection policies and the ability to integrate these into MHPSS activities.
- Teamwork and Collaboration:
- Strong team player with the ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues across sectors (education, health, WASH, protection) and external partners.
- Ability to work under pressure and adapt to changing priorities in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
- Emotional Resilience:
- Strong emotional intelligence and resilience to manage the challenges of working in crisis situations, while maintaining a high level of professionalism and self-care.
- Ability to provide emotional support to staff and peers in high-stress environments.
PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES
EMPATHY AND COMPASSION: Demonstrates a genuine concern for the well-being of vulnerable individuals.
INTEGRITY: Maintains the highest ethical standards in all professional activities.
RESILIENCE: Capable of working under challenging conditions and managing stress effectively.
PROBLEM-SOLVING: Proactive in identifying issues and implementing solutions.
GHIV AFRICA PSEA/GBV, AND CHILD SAFEGUARDING POLICIES: The successful candidate shall comply and promote the PSEA/GBV, and Child safeguarding Policies at all course and all levels.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY:
GHIV Africa is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
Note: Women and Persons Living with Disability (PLWDs) are strongly advised to apply.
Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should click on the link below.
Application closing date:27/12/2024
- Due to the high volume of applications, no detailed feedback will be provided about your application; only shortlisted individuals will be contacted.
