MHPSS Officer

General Information

Humanity and Inclusion (formerly Handicap International) is an independent and impartial aid organization working in poverty, exclusion, conflict, and disaster. Working alongside persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups, our actions and testimony are focused on responding to their essential needs and improving their living conditions. HI is a non-governmental, non-religious, non-political, and non-profit making organization.

Mission

The Mental health & Psycho-social support officer (MHPSS officer) will provide psychological and social support to victims and survivors of the risks of explosive ordnance, assign and design, implement, and conduct inclusive MHPSS activities targeted to victims of EO including men, women, boys, girls and persons with disabilities.

Additionally, the Psychosocial support officer will be responsible for providing group and individual counseling sessions to identified individuals by the social workers to Persons with Specific Needs identified and their caregivers on specific topics (protection and PSS oriented).

Duty Base

The Mental health & Psycho-social support officer will be based in Mekelle with frequent travels to different woredas and kebeles under both the South-Eastern and Eastern zones of the Tigray region. 

1. Roles and Responsibilities

• In close collaboration with Social Workers, the EORE/NTS team identifies victims of EO/ERW in need of psychosocial support 

• Providing psychological support to victims based on the identified needs 

• Ensure quality and inclusive services are provided every day, especially to victims of EO including women, adolescents’ girls, and children;

• Ensure community mobilization and involvement of victims of EO/ERW, especially persons with disabilities (including women and girls with disabilities) to attend small psychosocial events/activities;

• Support the design and implementation of inclusive PSS activities for survivors from the risks of EO/ERW to contribute to strengthening social, and emotional well-being and increase skills, knowledge, and participation (coping mechanisms, conflict management, self-confidence, resilience, and empowerment);

• Contribute to organizing specific inclusive activities between victims like a mother and their children to strengthen positive parenting skills and mother-to-mother group discussions including mothers of children with disabilities and conduct the sessions;

• Contribute to the design, planning, and implementation of Community PSS events in sites to raise awareness about the Rights of Persons with disabilities and ensure participation of persons with disabilities, other community members, actors, and representatives of the government;

• Report on a regular basis to your line manager about the PSS activities implemented through weekly reports and activities planning;

• Ensure data are collected in a qualitative and effective way with the consent of the beneficiary and that appropriate tools and formats are filled properly;

• Ensure on a daily basis safe documentation and storage of the cases identified (identification forms, assessment forms, referrals forms,…) in line with internal standard operating procedures, guidelines, and protection principles;

• Ensure cases are well recorded through the database and other data collection methodologies (beneficiary’s files, …), updated every week and shared with the HMA project manager when required, and data are disaggregated by age, gender, and disability when collecting and recording data in accordance of HI’s data protection and confidentiality protocols; 

• Identify and network with external service providers to reinforce referral mechanisms; especially with hospitals, health center,s and NGOs who are working directly with victims of EO/ERW

• Support the Senior Protection Team-Leader in the continuous mapping of services available in HI’s areas of intervention;

• Work in cooperation and partnership with local government stakeholders to realize the project objectives such as  Zone and Woreda Women & Children Affairs, DPPO, Health, Justice, and Education Offices and Coordinate regular activities with IDP committees, Kebele authorities, and other partner teams if required;

• Set up and maintain an effective communication system with partners and stakeholders;

• Ensure respect and compliance with HI’s policies including the Child Protection and Child Safeguarding Policy, Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse [PSEA] policy, Anti-fraud and anti-corruption policy, and Code of Conduct;

• Ensures that beneficiaries, IDPs, and community members are informed about HI’s safeguarding policies;

• Disseminate information among community and partners about HI’s policies, Code of Conduct, and PSEA’s messages and promote reporting of any concerns related to SEA and Child Safeguarding;

• Report immediately to the Project Manager and Operational coordinator any concern, or incident related to child protection, safeguarding, and PSEA;

1. Education & Qualification

Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, counseling, or Sociology, Social Work;

1. Knowledge and Professional Experience required

• Minimum of 2 years of experience as a psychologist or social worker;

• Experience in Community-based protection and awareness-raising in humanitarian settings;

• Good knowledge of data collection, analysis, and reporting;

• Experienced in providing MHPSS to victims and survivors of the risks of EO/ERW in conflict-affected areas is advantageous 

1. Skills

• Computer literacy (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).

• A high degree of confidentiality.

• Good interpersonal and communication skills.

• Ability to work with teams and develop team spirit.

• Diligence and attention to detail.

• Never been convicted, free from khat, smoking, alcohol, and substance abuse addictions.

Knowledge of the working area language (Tigrigna) is a Must. 

How To Apply

Interested candidates are required to fill in the application form through this link:  

https://forms.office.com/e/i0UMNeeN1a?origin=lprLink

on/before the application deadline. 

You will be contacted only if selected for a written exam/interview, Phone solicitations will not be accepted.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for an exam/interview. No phone calls, Please.

We’re committed to safeguarding and promoting child protection and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This position involves working with beneficiaries and is subject to strict safer recruitment checks. The successful candidate will be required to complete a police check and sign a self-declaration form to help us verify your suitability to work with children including checks with past employers.

Humanity & Inclusion is an equal opportunity employer and particularly welcomes women and persons with disability.