Overview
The MHPSS Officer will implement and oversee psychosocial support activities for children and caregivers, ensuring integration with Child Protection and EiE programmes, strengthening community-based support systems, and promoting wellbeing, resilience, and safeguarding.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead implementation of MHPSS interventions (e.g., structured PSS, group activities, individual support).
- Deliver age-appropriate, gender-sensitive, and inclusive MHPSS services for children, adolescents, and caregivers.
- Ensure integration of MHPSS into EiE activities.
- Support rollout of community-based MHPSS approaches.
- Promote child participation and resilience-building approaches.
- Identify children and caregivers in need of focused or specialized mental health support.
- Provide basic psychosocial support and Psychological First Aid (PFA).
- Ensure safe and confidential referral pathways.
- Work closely with Child Protection caseworkers to integrate MHPSS into case plans.
- Maintain strict confidentiality and data protection.
- Support integration of MHPSS within CP case management.
- Collaborate with EiE teams to integrate SEL and psychosocial activities in schools.
- Build teachers’ capacity to provide basic emotional support.
- Ensure MHPSS considerations are embedded in CVA programming.
- Train and mentor staff, volunteers, teachers, and partners on PFA, basic psychosocial support skills, safe identification and referrals, and stress management and self-care.
- Support development of training materials and tools.
- Promote staff wellbeing initiatives.
- Conduct community sensitization on mental health awareness, positive coping strategies, and reduction of stigma.
- Engage community leaders, caregivers, and children to strengthen protective environments and promote acceptance of MHPSS services.
- Ensure messaging is culturally appropriate and conflict-sensitive.
- Ensure all MHPSS activities adhere to child safeguarding and PSEA standards.
- Identify and mitigate protection risks linked to MHPSS programming.
- Ensure services are delivered in safe, confidential, and accessible spaces.
- Apply do no harm principles.
- Support collection and reporting of MHPSS indicators.
- Use qualitative and quantitative tools.
- Contribute to learning and adaptation of MHPSS programming.
- Ensure integration of Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP).
- Participate in MHPSS Technical Working Groups and other relevant coordination platforms.
- Coordinate with Health, CP, and EiE actors and government social welfare and health services.
- Support mapping and strengthening of MHPSS service providers and referral systems.
- Maintain accurate and confidential records of MHPSS activities and referrals.
- Prepare regular activity reports.
- Ensure proper documentation of lessons learned and good practices.
- Work closely with MEAL teams to ensure data quality and ethical data use.
- Provide rapid MHPSS response during emergencies.
- Support establishment of safe spaces for children and caregivers.
- Integrate MHPSS into emergency education and protection response plans.
Required Experience
Minimum 3 years post NYSC Experience in Psychological First Aid, and other psychosocial support (MHPSS) activities. Experience working in Child Protection programs, Education, including those with MHPSS component.
Qualifications
Minimum of BSc in Psychology, social worker or relevant field experience.
