Role Purpose
The MHPSS Officer will implement and oversee psychosocial support activities for children and caregivers, ensuring integration with Child Protection and EiE programmes, strengthening community-based support systems, and promoting wellbeing, resilience, and safeguarding in line with international standards.
Key Areas Of Accountability
Programme Implementation and Technical Quality
Lead implementation of MHPSS interventions (e.g., structured PSS, group activities, individual support) in line with IASC MHPSS Guidelines and CP Minimum Standards.
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.
Support rollout of community-based MHPSS approaches (e.g., child-friendly spaces, peer support groups).
Promote child participation and resilience-building approaches in programming.
Case Identification, Basic Support, and Referrals
Identify children and caregivers in need of focused or specialized mental health support.
Provide basic psychosocial support and Psychological First Aid (PFA) where appropriate.
Ensure safe and confidential referral pathways to case management, health, or specialized services.
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
Support integration of MHPSS within CP case management, including:
Emotional stabilization of high-risk children
Caregiver support
Collaborate with EiE teams to:
Integrate SEL (Social Emotional Learning) and psychosocial activities in schools
Build teachers' capacity to provide basic emotional support
Ensure MHPSS considerations are embedded in CVA programming (e.g., reducing stress-related risks).
Capacity Strengthening
Train and mentor staff, volunteers, teachers, and partners on:
Psychological First Aid (PFA)
Basic psychosocial support skills
Safe identification and referrals
Stress management and self-care
Support development of training materials and tools adapted to local context.
Promote staff wellbeing initiatives to reduce burnout and secondary trauma.
Community Engagement and Awareness
Conduct community sensitization on:
Mental health awareness
Positive coping strategies
Reduction of stigma associated with mental health
Engage community leaders, caregivers, and children to:
Strengthen protective environments
Promote acceptance of MHPSS services
Ensure messaging is culturally appropriate and conflict-sensitive.
Safeguarding and Protection Risk Mitigation
Ensure all MHPSS activities adhere to child safeguarding and PSEA standards.
Identify and mitigate protection risks linked to MHPSS programming.
Ensure services are delivered in safe, confidential, and accessible spaces.
Apply do no harm principles in all interventions.
Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL)
Support collection and reporting of MHPSS indicators, including:
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.
Ensure integration of Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP), including feedback mechanisms.
Coordination and Representation
Participate in MHPSS Technical Working Groups, and other relevant coordination platforms.
Coordinate with:
Health, CP, and EiE actors
Government social welfare and health services
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.
Prepare regular activity reports.
Ensure proper documentation of:
Lessons learned
Good practices
Work closely with MEAL teams to ensure data quality and ethical data use.
Emergency Response and Preparedness
Provide rapid MHPSS response during emergencies (e.g., displacement, attacks, disasters).
Support establishment of safe spaces for children and caregivers.
Integrate MHPSS into emergency education and protection response plans.
BEHAVIOURS (Values in Practice)
Accountability
Holds self-accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values
Ambition
sets ambitious and challenging goals for him or herself 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
Essential
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
Minimum of BSc in Psychology, social worker or relevant field experience.
Minimum 3 years post NYSC
Experience in Psychological First Aid, and other psychosocial support (MHPSS) activities
Experience working in Child Protection programs, Education, including those with MHPSS component
Fluent in English and Hausa is desirable
Excellent attention to detail, organizational skills and discretion with confidential information
Ability to work independently and proactively