Vac-11531 Psychosocial Mobile Team Member (Lay Counsellor)

Under the overall supervision of the MHPSS / Protection Program Manager & the direct supervision of the Project Assistant MHPSS / Protection & closely coordinating with the MHPSS / Protection Officers (Gender Based Violence (GBV), Mainstreaming & Counter Trafficking (CT)) of the unit, the successful candidates’ primary role will be to implement MHPSS / protection activities in Katsina state, as member of our cleints Psychosocial Support (PSS) team.

• Conduct MHPSS & protection assessments in coordination with the Protection Assistant & MHPSS National Program Officer.

• Map existing & available support provisions at the micro level, including but not limited to existing community structures & resources, relevant government ministries & parastatal services, health facilities, academic institutions, NGOs, CBOs, FBOs, as well as UN entities & design, together with the supervisor, initiatives to reinforce their capacity. 

• Develop an intervention plan in coordination with the Project Assistant & provide tailored MHPSS & protection services to the affected populations based on the needs, concerns & other risk factors identified during the MHPSS / protection assessment.

• Provide emotional & psychological support, including supportive communication, individual & group counselling as well as Psychological First Aid (PFA) to the affected population in need.

• Provide direct assistance to the most vulnerable individuals & families of the affected populations, such as women, children, the elderly, persons living with disabilities, survivors of violence & socially marginalized or excluded persons. 

• Follow up on the integration of the abductees / escapees & their families into community life.

• Organize, together with the Social Worker of the PSS team, sensitization, information dissemination sessions (messages related to health, psychosocial concerns, GBV, PSEA & TiP) & problem solving group sessions on identified social problems encountered by the affected individuals & communities.

• Strengthen existing social networks & promote participatory initiatives aimed at activating protective, restorative & transformative psychosocial factors at the community level, such as mutual support, intra & inter family cooperation, public gatherings, peer to peer support & dialogue.

• Identify cases that require specialized intervention & refer them to the appropriate service providers in close coordination with the Protection Assistant & MHPSS National Program Officer & respond to cases referred by other organizations.

• Organize support & discussion groups & forums & coordinate with the PSS Team Members as to the need to integrate vulnerable individuals within the psychosocial groups’ activities.

• In coordination with the Protection Assistant & MHPSS National Program Officer, provide technical guidance, capacity building training & supervision to community focal points, community structures & volunteers in the concerned communities, ensuring that the program’s activities are effectively communicated & carried out in participatory & inclusive ways.

• Report daily activities.

• Undertake duty travel to very challenging areas when necessary. 

• Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

This role will works under the overall supervision of the MHPSS / Protection Program Manager & the direct supervision of the Project Assistant MHPSS / Protection & closely coordinating with the MHPSS / Protection Officers (Gender Based Violence (GBV), Mainstreaming & Counter Trafficking (CT)) of the unit.

• University degree from accredited institutions in social sciences, social work, psychology or in a related field or an equivalent combination of education, training & experience with a minimum of three years of relevant experience, including capacity building functions within the humanitarian field.

• Experience in the provision of MHPSS services (including (lay) counselling, individual & group support sessions, PFA & emotional support) to displaced & conflict affected individuals & communities. 

• Working experience with our clients MHPSS / protection team, especially with one of the Psychosocial Mobile Teams, is an advantage.

• Open & positive attitude & ability to communicate in a trustful manner with all members of the affected community. 

• Genuine care & respect for the needs of vulnerable populations with a strong belief in empowering marginalized & disenfranchised people. 

• High integrity & willingness to conduct her / himself transparently & open to scrutiny.

• Ability to maintain confidentiality, ability to work under pressure, with minimal supervision & in a culturally diverse team.

• Strong interpersonal skills & demonstrated ability to establish effective & trustful working relations with local staff & other stakeholders.

• Excellent analytical & communication skills.

• Ability to independently carry out tasks, proactivity, ability to multi task & to prioritize.

• Knowledge of social & development issues in Nigeria, particularly within the area of responsibility. 

• S / he must be fluent in Hausa & English with excellent report writing skills

• Knowledge of Fulfulbe is an advantage.

• Inclusion & respect for diversity respect & promote individual & cultural differences, encourage diversity & inclusion wherever possible.

• Maintain high ethical standards & acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles / rules & standards of conduct.

• Demonstrates the ability to work in a composed, competent & committed manner & exercises careful judgment in meeting day to day challenges.

• Develops & promotes effective collaboration within & across units to achieve shared goals & optimize results.

• Delivering results produces & delivers quality results in a service oriented & timely manner, is action-oriented & committed to achieving agreed outcomes.

• Managing & sharing knowledge continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge & innovate.

• Takes ownership for achieving the organization’s priorities & assumes responsibility for own actions & delegated work.

• Encourages & contributes to clear & open communication, explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring & motivational way.

• Provides a clear sense of direction, leads by example & demonstrates the ability to carry out the organization’s vision; assists others to realize & develop their potential.

• Empowering others & building trust creates an atmosphere of trust & an enabling environment where staff can contribute their best & develop their potential.

• Work strategically to realize the organization’s goals & communicates a clear strategic direction.

This role has no team management responsibility.

Qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply for this role.