[Vacancy] Psycho-Social Support Officer at INTERSOS

Job Purpose

• Under the management of the Senior Protection Officer, the PSS officer will coordinate with the community volunteers and the management in responding to the psychosocial needs of the crisis-affected IDPS in Anka and Gusau in Zamfara State and work with the community volunteers to facilitate community-based activities, advocacy and sensitization effort that prevent, mitigate, and respond to risk for safety and wellbeing of the affected population.

Responsibilities

• Assesses and plans response mechanisms that meet the needs of the affected population.
• Provides technical support and supervision for implementing PSS activities in-line with current best practices to the community volunteers.
• Conducts individual assessments for the diagnosis of possible psychological disorders and the identification of a therapeutic intervention plan for people identified.
• Conducts capacity-building training on psychosocial support services and other safeguarding actions for community volunteers.
• Facilitates procurement and distribution of PSS materials at Gusau and Anka LGAs
• Close cases when the objectives in the PSS intervention plan have been met and no further needs have been identified.
• Coordinate community sensitization activities.
• Provides continuous psycho-social support via regular follow-up meetings, establishing a relationship built on trust and respecting confidentiality protocols.
• Contributes to regular reporting, program, and proposal development, providing insight and analysis on PSS issues, challenges, gaps, and best practices.
• Leads on distribution and ensures the distribution activity is in line with the best practice.

Planning and Coordination:

• Coordinates with relevant partners and develop psychosocial strategies and referral services to meet different needs of the affected population.
• Coordinates with other partners to facilitate advocacy activities to improve the condition of affected population.
• Monitors and ensures that the monthly FGDs are facilitated in coordination with community volunteers.
• Represents INTERSOS in community meeting as required and maintain a positive relationship with community leaders, local community structure, and groups at various levels.
• Contributes/coordinates regular service mapping, updates to the service directory and support the development of referral systems with different service providers and the local NGO/CSO partner.
• Supports positive team dynamics and a healthy work environment where case workers feel comfortable and supported in sharing experiences, challenges and feelings.

Reporting and Administrative:

• Documents all general protection activities as per INTERSOS and donor reporting regulations and transmit these on a weekly basis for compilation.
• Supports the planning, implementation and reporting on all protection activities via weekly workplans, schedules and people management.
• Contributes to facilitation of procurement of program supplies.
• Ensures timely payment of community volunteers by provide necessary support documents on timely.
• Oversees the proper and safe filing and archiving of PSS client files and activity reports files to maintain data confidentiality as per INTERSOS and international standards.
• Performs other duties and responsibility.
• Flags PSS and security issues and contribute to the identification of appropriate responses.
• Identifies and assists in the analysis of PSS trends in the overall caseload.
• Strengthens existing community-based PSS and peer support group activities, where such exist and help to develop them where none currently exist.
• Participates in external meetings and trainings on PSS issues, as well as case conferences with partners as needed.
• Identifies and reports gaps in the availability and quality of PSS service provision in the target areas.
• Any other activities specified by the supervisory/managerial team.
• handling. Engage in regular feedback and dialogue with the Senior Protection Officer on quantitative and qualitative reporting.

Data Protection, Confidentiality & Adherence To Protection Principles:

• Oversee the proper and safe filing and archiving of PSS client files and activity reports files to maintain data confidentiality as per INTERSOS and international standards.
• Carry out all tasks respecting key protection principles, including but not limited to.
  • Do no harm
  • Non-discrimination
  • Confidentiality
  • Accountability
  • Need-to-know principles.

Position Requirements

• University Degree in a related field (e.g., Psychology, Social Work, etc…).
• Minimum of 3 years relevant work experience in psychology, social work, counselling, etc.
• Minimum of 1 year relevant experience with an INGO, NGOs and/or local authorities in Nigeria.
• Essential computer literacy (Microsoft Office Suite, e-mail, internet, etc…).
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Excellent analytical and reporting skills.
• Leadership, people management and coaching skills.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Willing to work extra hours and available at the weekend for emergency cases.
• Capacity to work under pressure and willingness to work and live in a complex context.
• Fluency in English, Fulani and Hausa.

Method of Application