The posting
Job Description
TITLE: Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Officer
TEAM/PROGRAMME: child protection
LOCATION: Abyei
GRADE:
CONTRACT LENGTH: 5 Months
CHILD SAFEGUARDING: (select only one)
Level 3: the role holder will have contact with children and/or young people intensively because S/he works in country programs.
ROLE PURPOSE: Under the supervision of the project lead with technical support from the technical advisor , the MHPSS Officer will help the Project lead in implementing project activities, particularly MHPSS component that will include building the capacity of the child protection team and direct services provision for individuals with mental health and psychosocial support problems providing. The position holder’s primary responsibilities include providing oversight of the psychosocial components of the child protection program, integrated MHPSS case management, mentoring and technically supporting supervising trained CP case workers at assigned intervention area and provide PSS services including emotional support/PFA, counselling services and other interventions at assigned location. The Child protection Programme is currently focused on Comprehensive case Management, MHPSS and community-based mechanisms for mobilization, awareness raising and engagements. The post holder will be working in the conflict and emergency affected communities to directly identify and engage children with MHPSS concerns. He/she will also support community-based PSS initiatives like Child Friendly Spaces, OTP, Child rights clubs, youth centers and Health Facilities.
The incumbent of this position represents Save the Children values and principles in interactions with staff and external audiences. These values and principles include commitment to the mission of Save the Children international, team orientation, quality management and leadership development, introducing systems and procedures to strengthen staff motivation and productivity. In the event of a major humanitarian emergency, the role holder will be expected to work outside the normal role profile and be able to vary working hours accordingly.
SCOPE OF ROLE:
Reports to: project lead
Staff reporting to this post: None
Direct: n/a
Budget Responsibilities: n/a
Role Dimensions:
- Internal: All Staff and in Save the Children with relevant qualification and experience
KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY Identification and registration of mental health and psychosocial needs of beneficiaries based on the vulnerability criteria of the South Sudan MHPSS standard operating procedures (SOPs)
- Actively promote the availability of counseling services and carry out, individual or group counselling (psychological first aid (PFA) and psychosocial support (PSS), basic psychoeducational 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. Take an active part in conductiong an integrated MHPSS case management with CP, Health and Nutritioon colleaques Participate in the creation of any material needed for counseling activities and maintain and update 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 Technical Advisor 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), Boma Health Committee, leaders and other stakeholders Hold regular meetings with case workers, MHPSS facilitators and community mobilizers to discuss successes, challenges and wayward Representation in community meetings, MHPSS working groups, SGBV subcluster, etc and act as focal point for MHPSS in Lankien South Support caseworkers, MHPSS 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 learnings for reporting and evaluation purposes. Prepare and submit MHPSS reports regularly as indicated by the reporting schedule, and submit to the Health Manager Receive reports of cases from community-based child protection networks (CBCPN), Child Protection Help Desks (CPHD), Health Workers, children clubs etc. and give feedback 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 Health activities and initiatives that may be assigned by MHPSS officer.
BEHAVIOURS (Values in Practice) (Section should not consist of Competencies as this are the standard Values in practice)
Accountability: holds self-accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values
holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities - giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved.
Ambition: sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves and their team, takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages their team to do the same
widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others
future orientated, thinks strategically and on a global scale.
Collaboration:builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, Members and external partners and supporters
values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength
approachable, good listener, easy to talk to.
Creativity:develops and encourages new and innovative solutions
willing to take disciplined risks.
Integrity:honest, encourages openness and transparency; demonstrates highest levels of integrity
QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Diploma in social sciences, social work or community development
EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS
Essential Minimum Diploma in counselling, social sciences, social work, community development or any other MHPSS related training
2-3 years sectorial experience or relevant experience in social work, community development and working with children in Child Protection Programme preferable with humanitarian Organization.
Very good written and spoken English, Local community (Nuer & Arabic) languages is a plus
Excellent technical understanding of child protection and community based approached
Computer knowledge
Strong interpersonal and communication skills
Be able to prioritize tasks
Able to operate in extremely harsh living and working environment
Desirable 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 an international NGO.
Additional job responsibilities
The duties and responsibilities as set out above are not exhaustive and the role holder may be required to carry out additional duties within reasonableness of their level of skills and experience.
Equal Opportunities
The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with the SCI Equal Opportunities and Diversity policies and procedures.
Child Safeguarding:
We need to keep children safe so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.
Health and Safety
The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with SCI Health and Safety policies and procedures.
About Us
The Organization We employ approximately 25,000 people across the globe and work on the ground in over 100 countries to help children affected by crises, or those that need better healthcare, education and child protection. We also campaign and advocate at the highest levels to realise the right of children and to ensure their voices are heard. We are working towards three breakthroughs in how the world treats children by 2030:
· No child dies from preventable causes before their 5th birthday · All children learn from a quality basic education and that, · Violence against children is no longer tolerated
We know that great people make a great organization, and that our employees play a crucial role in helping us achieve our ambitions for children.We value our people and offer a meaningful and rewarding career, along with a collaborative and inclusive workplace where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued.
Application Information: Please apply using a cover letter and up-to-date CV as a single document. Please also include details of your current remuneration and salary expectations. A copy of the full role profile can be found at www.savethechildren.net/jobs We need to keep children safe so our selection process reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.
