Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Officer

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Mental Health & Psychosocial (MHPSS) Officer

Job Identification: 16964
Location: Katsina

Key Areas Of Accountability
Programme Implementation and Technical Quality:

• Deliver age-appropriate, gender-sensitive, and inclusive MHPSS services for children, adolescents such as HEART and We Thrive, and for caregivers.
• Ensure integration of MHPSS into EiE activities, including safe and supportive learning environments.
• Lead implementation of MHPSS interventions (e.g., structured PSS, group activities, individual support) in line with IASC MHPSS Guidelines and CP Minimum Standards.
• Promote child participation and resilience-building approaches in programming.
• Support rollout of community-based MHPSS approaches (e.g., child-friendly spaces, peer support groups).

Case Identification, Basic Support, and Referrals:

• Ensure safe and confidential referral pathways to case management, health, or specialized services.
• Identify children and caregivers in need of focused or specialized mental health support.
• Provide basic psychosocial support and Psychological First Aid (PFA) where appropriate.
• Work closely with Child Protection caseworkers to integrate MHPSS into case plans.
• Maintain strict confidentiality and data protection for all case-related information.

Integration with Child Protection and EiE:

• Ensure MHPSS considerations are embedded in CVA programming (e.g., reducing stress-related risks).
• Support integration of MHPSS within CP case management, including:
• Emotional stabilization of high-risk children
• Build teachers’ capacity to provide basic emotional support
• Integrate SEL (Social Emotional Learning) and psychosocial activities in schools
• Caregiver support
• Collaborate with EiE teams to:

Capacity Strengthening:

• Safe identification and referrals
• Stress management and self-care
• Support development of training materials and tools adapted to local context.
• Basic psychosocial support skills
• Promote staff wellbeing initiatives to reduce burnout and secondary trauma.
• Psychological First Aid (PFA)
• Train and mentor staff, volunteers, teachers, and partners on:

Community Engagement and Awareness:

• Engage community leaders, caregivers, and children to:
• Positive coping strategies
• Promote acceptance of MHPSS services
• Strengthen protective environments
• Reduction of stigma associated with mental health
• Ensure messaging is culturally appropriate and conflict-sensitive.
• Conduct community sensitization on:
• Mental health awareness

Safeguarding and Protection Risk Mitigation:

• Identify and mitigate protection risks linked to MHPSS programming.
• Ensure services are delivered in safe, confidential, and accessible spaces.
• Ensure all MHPSS activities adhere to child safeguarding and PSEA standards.
• Apply do no harm principles in all interventions.

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL):

• Participation rates
• Changes in child wellbeing and coping
• Use qualitative and quantitative tools (e.g., observation, feedback, wellbeing scales).
• Contribute to learning and adaptation of MHPSS programming.
• Support collection and reporting of MHPSS indicators, including:
• Ensure integration of Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP), including feedback mechanisms.

Coordination and Representation:

• Health, CP, and EiE actors
• Coordinate with:
• Government social welfare and health services
• Participate in MHPSS Technical Working Groups, and other relevant coordination platforms.
• Support mapping and strengthening of MHPSS service providers and referral systems.

Information Management and Reporting:

• Maintain accurate and confidential records of MHPSS activities and referrals.
• Good practices
• Ensure proper documentation of:
• Lessons learned
• Work closely with MEAL teams to ensure data quality and ethical data use.
• Prepare regular activity reports.

Emergency Response and Preparedness:

• Integrate MHPSS into emergency education and protection response plans.
• Support establishment of safe spaces for children and caregivers.
• Provide rapid MHPSS response during emergencies (e.g., displacement, attacks, disasters).

Qualifications

• Minimum of a BSc Degree in Psychology, social worker or relevant field experience, professional certificate, minimum of 3 years experience, basic people management skills.

Experience and Skills:

• Experience in Psychological First Aid, and other psychosocial support (MHPSS) activities
• Fluent in English and Hausa is desirable
• Minimum of 3 years post NYSC
• Ability to work independently and proactively.
• Excellent attention to detail, organisational skills and discretion with confidential information
• Experience working in Child Protection programs, Education, including those with MHPSS component