Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Supervisor at Terre des hommes Foundation (Tdh)

Terre des hommes (Tdh) is a leading Swiss organisation for children’s aid. Since 1960, Tdh has helped build a better future for deprived children and their communities, making an impact with innovative and sustainable solutions. Active in more than 45 countries, Tdh works with local and international partners to develop and implement field projects which improve the daily lives of over 3 million children and their relatives, in the domains of health, protection and emergency relief. This engagement is financed by individual and institutional support, with administrative costs kept to a minimum. Tdh in Nigeria implements projects in Health, Wash, Child Protection and Education sectors.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Supervisor

Location: MMC / Jere LGA, Borno
Employment Type: Fixed Term Contract
Contract Duration: 10 months

General Objective

Reporting to the Team Lead, under the overall supervision and technical guidance of the Programme Manager, the MHPSS Supervisor takes the lead in the development and implementation of the MHPSS guidelines, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and Tdh’s MHPSS and child protection/education in emergencies programme.
The MHPSS Supervisor is responsible for supervising and providing technical guidance to the MHPSS team for quality delivery of Mental Health and Psychosocial support services including group activities for children and adults and recreational activities to identified children and their families.
S/He adopts a continuum of care approach, from the promotion of Mental Health and psychosocial wellbeing to the prevention of further distress and MH conditions.
S/He emphasizes referral between layers of the MHPSS pyramid to ensure a continuum of care and a holistic approach.
S/he makes sure that the quality of the work done is in line with the Tdh mandate, Tdh commitments, and interagency standards.

Responsibilities & Tasks
Program Planning and Implementation:

Develop, implement, and monitor the MHPSS components of the projects in the intervention areas, in accordance with the proposals, standards, and principles
Lead planning and implementation of MHPSS activities and develop necessary tools to support the project’s implementation
Identify emotional or behavioural issues or disorders amongst child beneficiaries and provide regular reports on the trend to the line manager.
Specifically provide specialized mental health services such as clinical counselling to children and their caregivers who are experiencing psychological/psychosocial distress
Help clients (children/caregivers) define goals and plan action to achieve personal, social, educational, and vocational development and adjustment
Monitor client progress through regular structured meetings or sessions
Provides technical advice and upon request supervises and supports psychological, PSS, and PFA activities with children, adolescents, caregivers, and the community
Provides psychological support (individual or group) to children, adolescents, caregivers, and the community in psychosocial distress and schedules follow-up meetings as appropriate.
Oversee the review of the MHPSS curriculum in line with the MHPSS needs of children, adolescents, and caregivers
Support the development of referral pathways to strengthen links to integrated services for MHPSS survivors
Contribute to the initial and regular assessments of the MHPSS needs and project impact
Assist in the identification of psycho-social needs and proposition needed interventions
Participate in planning and budget exercises
Prepare timely purchase requests in line with the MHPSS component of the project
Ensure holistic services for survivors of gender-based violence including clinical management and psychosocial support
Participates in PSS and PFA activities with parents and caregivers, emotional support groups, parent groups, focus group discussions, and awareness sessions by supporting implementing MHPSS staff in conducting activities, sessions, and events with individuals, groups, and families
Facilitate regular awareness sessions on psychological disorders for the community to counter the stigma
Contributes actively to the identification of cases of neglect, abuse, exploitation, and coercion against children
Supports case management when required, especially the individual cases of the most critical nature, falling within level 3 of the MHPSS intervention pyramid, through technical monitoring, direct service provision, and ensuring cases under assistance receive care and support needed, respecting IASC MHPSS guidelines
Conduct field visits to monitor and support MHPSS activities and interventions provided
Support technical quality of programming by providing feedback and mentorship
Assist in the implementation of preventive MHPSS interventions in the community
Lead in conducting MHPSS risk analysis (including service mappings) and developing local action to address identified concerns.
Ensure the MHPSS component of the programme respond to any change (outbreaks, new needs arising, opening of new programs, the influx of IDPs, camp closure, returnees, etc.)
Identify logistic and admin support needs related to the MHPSS project and communicate these to the Team Lead and/or relevant log/admin support person
Ensure the compliance of the activities with the internal and sector quality standards
Undertake all other duties as assigned by the Team Lead that are compatible with the job.
Provide written and concise monthly reports to the line manager on all activities undertaken

Staff Management:

Supervise all MHPSS field staff and volunteers assigned to the project, as well as consultants recruited to support and/or undertake specific MHPSS activities
Responsible for MHPSS team members’ daily performance and the development of their daily/weekly/monthly work plan
Support in carrying out necessary recruitment process when needed, in collaboration with the HR department and the Team Lead
Lead appraisal exercises with directly supervised staff
Promote a constructive, motivational, and respectful working environment within the team
Provide individual and group counselling to CP team members in need, ensuring staff well-being
Assess the needs of MHPSS training for Tdh staff and work closely with the Programme Manager and HR in organizing and/or providing training

Capacity Building and Development:

Assess the capacity-building needs and gaps of MHPSS staff and volunteers
Develop appropriate training objectives, planning, case studies, contents, and educational materials
Provide capacity building to Tdh staff
Support MHPSS Officers in delivering training or workshop
Provide training and capacity building to MHPSS project’s staff supported by the Team Lead
Ensure technical oversight and field monitoring of the MHPSS program staff and volunteers in close coordination with Team Lead, notably to ensure quality control and adequate implementation of the planned tools and frameworks

Monitoring and Reporting:

Lead the MHPSS team (officers and volunteers) in ensuring proficient information management, monitoring and evaluation, and information sharing
With the support of the MEAL staff, s/he will manage and consolidate MHPSS databases
Support the development of mental health and psychosocial monitoring and evaluation tools and related activities for improving performance
In coordination with the MEAL department, s/he is tasked with data protection assurance
Lead the development of appropriate IEC materials on MHPSS, to build awareness of services and promote key messages
In coordination with the MEAL department, s/he ensures to lead MHPSS programme compliance key actions, including developing, implementing, and archiving the source of verification on a regular basis.
Review the progress of the MHPSS component of the project on monthly basis through reporting on the Programme Follow Up
Submit weekly SITREPs and Monthly reports of activities
Provide the Team Lead and Project Manager with the inputs for regular donor and internal reports
Lead and/or supervise MHPSS service mapping in the intervention area
Assess the current MHPSS programming within Nigeria, identify gaps, duplications, challenges, and best practices
Promote the culture of learning and documentation so that lessons learned, and good practices are documented and shared
Contribute to donor and internal reporting

Coordination:

Regularly liaise with the directorate of relevant ministries, agencies, and departments (MWASD, MoH, MoE, SUBEB, SAME, LGEA)
Under the supervision of the Team Lead, coordinate MHPSS activities with the staff and volunteers
Under the supervision of the Team Lead, reporting and participation within the MHPSS working group and CPSS
Coordinate with other humanitarian actors within the area of responsibility, and actively participate in coordination mechanisms including the MHPSS working group and the Child Protection Sub Sector, CM Task Force, and other working groups.
Ensure full coordination with communities and community leaders.
Promote coordination and integration with other sectors within Tdh
Participate in specific mental health/psychosocial sector meetings or related meetings such as Protection, GBV, and Child protection upon request from the line manager.

Others:

Commit to respect Tdh Risk Management Policies including Tdh Code of Conduct, Child Safeguarding Policy, Safety, and Security Policy and Anti-Fraud/Corruption Policy, Whistle Blowing Policy
Ensure adherence to Tdh standards and quality requirements in all the project activities.
Promote, and ensure project activities are in line with child protection principles and humanitarian principles
Ensure the project activities are well-integrated into the Northeastern Nigeria child protection system and humanitarian coordination practices and guidelines
Ensure Tdh Child Safeguarding Policy and Child Protection Minimum Standards are mainstreamed through all the programmatic activities
Commit to ensuring the best implementation possible of the Tdh Risk Management Policies
Commit to inform supervisors and to deal with any cases, allegations, or the possibility of transgression, even potential, of the Tdh Risk Management Policies.
Adhere to and ensure the team under her/his responsibility follows Tdh administrative and logistical regulations and procedures.

Security:

Comply with Tdh Security Regulations.

Requirements
Education:

Bachelor’s Degree in Clinical Psychology or any other relevant field of Psychology or Master’s Degree in Psychology (highly desirable).

Work Experience:

Minimum of at least 3 years of proven experience in the field of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support.

Language Skills:

Excellent written and spoken English.
Proficient in Hausa and Kanuri.

Knowledge & Skills:

Previous experience with an INGO is mandatory. Experience in protection, notably child protection and team management is required.
In-depth knowledge of the mental health and psychosocial support issues in Nigeria especially in emergency settings is required.
Computer skills: Excellent IT skills.

Competencies:

Strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills
Ability to communicate effectively with children and adults, local authorities, and other partners, and express oneself concisely
Proficient capacity-building skills
Excellent team-building skills and ability to work in a multicultural environment and under pressure
Active team player contributing to overall team performance
Experience in supporting the medical team and community-based organizations
Experience working with survivors of trauma, including GBV survivors.

Salary