MHPSS Officer (Abyei)

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.