Save the Children recruits a Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Officer – (2000036O)

Officer, Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS Officer)

ROLE PURPOSE:  

The Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) officer is responsible for the overall implementation of MHPSS intervention. He/she is responsible to support people who are experiencing stress in targeted isolation or treatment centres, follow mental wellbeing of service providers, support families and care takers to understand emotional need of children, ensure care for victims of violence like GBV, sexual and child protection. He/she is responsible for planning and implementing and reporting of the MHPSS activities.

SCOPE OF ROLE:

Reports to: Senior Humanitarian Response Manger

Job specific roles and responsibilities

 

Major Responsibilities

  • Engage in the planning of the COVID-19 outbreak and other health service activities to ensure integration of MHPSS response strategies in daily interventions
  • Conduct mental health assessment for beneficiary’s in targeted health facilities including isolation and treatment centres of COVID19
  • Provide mental healthcare in targeted health facilities including isolation centres
  • Provide psychological first aid and support to people who are experiencing stress
  • Provide psychological support for groups of displaced and returnees peoples in isolation and other targeted health facilities
  • Providing care for victims of violence like GBV, sexual or physical violence
  • Identifying and managing child protection issues
  • Follow mental wellbeing of staff and provide necessary support
  • Ensure Supportive communication for suspected or confirmed cases of COVID19 in everyday interactions in targeted health facilities
  • Counsel families to understanding emotional needs of children and managing anxiety and stress among children
  • Support and ensure provision of psychosocial care of children and ensure prevention of violence in spaces where children stay using material adapted from manual developed by UNICEF
  • Support family/care takers to understand emotional needs of children, talking to children about COVID-19, managing anxiety and stress among children
  • Counsel family/care givers to connect emotionally with children, understand their concerns, be aware of any situation leading to violence and abuse, and to thereby create an environment which is as normalized and joyful as it can possibly be
  • Develop/adapt key message to address MHPSS issues, reducing stigma related to the outbreak and child protection and how to communicate children in health education
  • Facilitate health education session supported by the organization
  • Proper management of all Save the Children resources (equipment, supplies, drugs, vehicle and fuel) committed to the project
  • Participate in the facilitation of work plans, POPs, budgets, and other required program documents for integrated health and nutrition related activities per Woreda
  • Closely work with the humanitarian team to ensure that program budgets are efficiently used complying with donor requirements, and that reports are submitted in a timely manner
  • Provide on job capacity building, formal training and coaching for local health workers
  • In collaboration with public Health officer, ensure timely preparation and implementation of phase-out strategy.
  • Facilitate any MHPSS training planned for local health force

Representation and communication

  • Represents Save the Children in MHPSS coordination and other forums as required.
  • Documents findings and recommendations of facility visits for follow-up actions and share.
  • Prepare and submit program reports, ensuring completeness, accuracy and timeliness per the responsibility areas.
  • Documents lessons learned in specific technical areas per Woreda.
  • Prepare and share case stories

NOTE: This position may enter the red zone/high risk area of an isolation unit.

SKILLS AND BEHAVIOURS (our 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 others to do the same
  • Widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others
  • Future orientated, thinks strategically

 

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

REQUIRED QUALFICATION & EXPEREINCE

  • Advanced Degree in social sciences such as psychology and social work;
  • At least 2 years’ professional experience in one of the following areas: psychology, social work, child welfare and child protection.
  • Excellent knowledge and skills in mental health and psychosocial support including for children
  • Knowledge on and understanding of health system is an asset
  • Good writing and communication skills
  • Good training skills in the areas of social work, social sciences and human services are desirable.

Competencies

  • Working experience and familiarity with Save the children vision, mission and programming humanitarian response;
  • Experience in working with Governments.

Languages

  • Strong working knowledge of English (spoken and written).
  • Knowledge of local language is an asset

The Organisation

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 environment where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued.

 

Application Information:

Please attach a copy of your CV and cover letter with your application, and include details of your current remuneration and salary expectations.  A copy of the full role profile can be found at https://stcuk.taleo.net/careersection/ex/jobsearch.ftl