Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Assistant at Center for Advocacy Transparency and Accountability Initiative (CATAI)

Center for Advocacy, Transparency and Accountability Initiative (CATAI) is established in 2018 as registered NGO with Head Office in Maiduguri - Borno State, with offices across Yobe and Adamawa state. We have been visible in Borno Adamawa and Yobe states implementing projects in Education, Protection (Child /GBV), WaSH, Nutrition, Empowerment/Livelihood, Governance and Peace Building. Our approach is aligned with our mission to enhance services delivery and empower citizens, through our Humanitarian, Development, and peace building nexus (HDP).

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Assistant

Location: Gwoza, Borno
Employment Type: Contract
Contract Duration: 12 Months
Position Reports to: GBV Officer
Position directly supervises: GBV Caseworkers

Project Background

• In conflict-affected Borno State, Nigeria, women, men, girls, and boys, including children living with disabilities, face compounded challenges amidst escalating violence and instability.
• The prevalence of child protection (CP) issues and gender-based violence (GBV) is alarmingly high, exacerbated by displacement, poverty, and disrupted social structures. Reports indicate widespread instances of child protection concerns, including forced labor and recruitment by armed groups, further compromising the safety and well-being of children.
• The project aims to address these gaps by strengthening community-based child protection and GBV prevention systems, improving access to inclusive education and economic opportunities, enhancing communities' capabilities to deliver effective services, and creating a more supportive social and policy environment through awareness activities and advocacy.
• The project's approach is centered on empowering local communities and strengthening existing child protection (CP) and gender-based violence (GBV) systems.
• Studies consistently demonstrate that community-based interventions and capacity-building initiatives effectively enhance child protection outcomes, promote resilience, and mitigate risks of violence and exploitation among vulnerable populations.
• This evidence underscores the importance of fostering sustainable practices and local ownership to ensure a lasting impact in conflict-affected regions like Borno State, Nigeria.

Responsibilities

• Assist in delivering training and workshops for staff and Survivors/Participant
• Support in the creation of materials including publicity documents.
• Engage with the community to deliver and promote CATAI MHPSS project activities in the designated locations.
• Assist in writing monthly, quarterly, annual reports, monitoring and evaluation activity and progress reports of project activities including monthly reporting to the protection coordinator.
• Assist in the implementation of preventive MHPSS interventions at the community and PHC level.
• Assist in coordinating referrals.
• In coordination with community mobilizers use participatory methods to adapt activities in accordance to the needs of the different target groups (children, women etc)
• Assist in identification and registration of psychosocial needs of beneficiaries based on the vulnerability criteria of the Humanitarian PSS standard operating procedures (SOPs)
• Actively promote the availability of counseling services and carry out, individual or group counseling (psychological first aid (PFA) and psychosocial support (PSS), basic psycho educational sessions to children, adolescents, and caregivers/ families (when needed), in order to alleviate their psychosocial difficulties.
• Refer clients to other specialists or other institutions for further assistance, when necessary, in line with the available local referral pathways, to ensure effective and efficient case management process.
• Participate in the creation, maintenance and updating of any material needed for counseling activities.
• Keep files and statistics of daily activities and participate in team meetings to share experiences and discuss special cases with the supervisor respecting confidentiality, and or with MHPSS Officer
• Inform and discuss with line manager any difficulties and problems of any kind arising during the day-to-day activities.
• Take an active part in MHPSS related training topics for case workers, PSS facilitators, community mobilisers and community volunteers such as community-based child protection networks (CBCPN), Teachers, PTAs, SMC, Child Protection Help Desks (CPHD), leaders and other stakeholders
• Hold regular meetings with case workers, PSS facilitators and community mobilizers to discuss successes, challenges, and way forward.
• Representation in community meetings, MHPSS working groups, GBV sub cluster, etc. and act as focal point in absence of MHPSS Officer for MHPSS in the location
• Support caseworkers, PSS facilitators and community mobilizers in emergency response and comprehensive case management issues relevant to the role.
• Actively engage the case and caregiver(s) to participate in the case management process and share information appropriately in line with case management information management protocol
• Ensure that files, registers and computer databases are used in an appropriate and correct manner and ensure case workers adhere to proper documentation and data protection protocols
• Document best practice, case studies and learning’s for reporting and evaluation purposes.
• Prepare and submit MHPSS reports regularly as indicated by the reporting schedule and submit to the MHPSS Officer.
• Receive reports of cases from community-based child protection networks (CBCPN), Child Protection Help Desks (CPHD), children clubs etc. and give feedbacks as necessary.
• Plan and conduct awareness raising sessions on prevention and in response to concerns identified
• Conduct monthly regular meetings with community groups and stakeholders to monitor progress and ensure smooth running of the project.
• Performs other functions related to Child Protection activities and initiatives that may be assigned by your line supervisor.

Requirements

• Degree in counseling, Psychology or any related field.
• 2 years experience in a similar position.
• Experience in having implemented psychosocial support programs
• Experience of working directly with children and/or adolescents
• Training skills, ability to conduct training
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Capacity to work with a team and to work under pressure.
• Computer skills in Word, excel, and PowerPoint.
• Strong organizational and planning skills with good communication skills
• Politically and culturally sensitive with qualities of patience, tact and diplomacy
• Knowledge of the area, socio-culture and local language where the post is located as an added advantage.
• Work experience with children and families, especially knowledge of child rights and participation
• Experience in community facilitation and mobilization
• Previous NGO experience, including an understanding of the neutral status of a national NGO.
• Fluency in written and spoken English and other vernacular languages of the community

Policy Statements:

• CATAI does not charge any fee to facilitate any recruitment process. Center for Advocacy Transparency and Accountability Initiative (CATAI) operates in an equal opportunity environment and has policies that actively encourage gender equality, diversity and social inclusion, Child Safeguarding, Adolescents and Youth Initiatives, PSEA, GBV, VAC and Fraud.

Application Closing Date
16th December, 2024.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Note

• Applications will be reviewed on a rolling bases and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
• Our employees enjoy a work culture that promotes diversity and inclusion
• CATAIprovides Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability or genetics.
• Other benefits include but are not limited to 100% health care coverage, Pension,
• maternity leave, and paternity leave for Male parents.