Role Purpose

The Mental Health and Psycho social Support (MHPSS) officer is responsible for the overall implementation of MHPSS intervention. He/she is responsible to support people who are experiencing stress in targeted isolation or treatment centers, follow mental well being of service providers, support families and care takers to understand emotional need of children, ensure care for victims of violence like GBV, sexual and child protection. He/she is responsible for planning and implementing and reporting of the MHPSS activities.

SCOPE OF ROLE

Directly Reports to: Project Manager

Staff directly reporting to this: No

Dotted-Line Relationship: Field Office Manager, Sr Humanitarian response Manager

Functional Relationship: HO, Mid-wife Nurse, Nurse-Static Health, Meal Officer, Meal Coordinator.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Engage in the planning of the COVID-19 outbreak and other health service activities to ensure integration of MHPSS response strategies in daily interventions 
• Conduct mental health assessment for beneficiary’s in targeted health facilities including isolation and treatment centers of COVID19
• Provide mental healthcare in targeted health facilities including isolation centers
• Provide psychological first aid and support to people who are experiencing stress
• Provide psychological support for groups of displaced and returnees peoples in isolation and other targeted health facilities
• Providing care for victims of violence like GBV, sexual or physical violence
• Identifying and managing child protection issues
• Follow mental well being of staff and provide necessary support
• Ensure Supportive communication for suspected or confirmed cases of COVID19 in everyday interactions in targeted health facilities
• Counsel families to understanding emotional needs of children and managing anxiety and stress among children
• Support and ensure provision of psycho social care of children and ensure prevention of violence in spaces where children stay using material adapted from manual developed by UNICEF
• Support family/care takers to understand emotional needs of children, talking to children about COVID-19, managing anxiety and stress among children
• Counsel family/care givers to connect emotionally with children, understand their concerns, be aware of any situation leading to violence and abuse, and to thereby create an environment which is as normalized and joyful as it can possibly be
• Develop/adapt key message to address MHPSS issues, reducing stigma related to the outbreak and child protection and how to communicate children in health education
• Facilitate health education session supported by the organization
• Proper management of all Save the Children resources (equipment, supplies, drugs, vehicle and fuel) committed to the project
• Participate in the facilitation of work plans, POPs, budgets, and other required program documents for integrated health and nutrition related activities per woreda
• Closely work with the humanitarian team to ensure that program budgets are efficiently used complying with donor requirements, and that reports are submitted in a timely manner
• Provide on job capacity building, formal training and coaching for local health workers
• In collaboration with public Health officer, ensure timely preparation and implementation of phase-out strategy.
• Facilitate any MHPSS training planned for local health force,

Representation and communication

• Represents Save the Children in MHPSS coordination and other forums as required.
• Documents findings and recommendations of facility visits for follow-up actions and share.
• Prepare and submit program reports, ensuring completeness, accuracy and timeliness per the responsibility areas.
• Documents lessons learned in specific technical areas per Woreda.
• Prepare and share case stories

NOTE: This position may enter the red zone/high risk area of an isolation unit.

• Minimum Qualification and  Experience 

  • Advanced Degree in social sciences such as psychology and social work;
  • At least 2 years’ professional experience in one of the following areas: psychology, social work, child welfare and child protection.

  Knowledge and Skills

  • Excellent knowledge and skills in mental health and psycho social support including for children
  • Knowledge on and understanding of health system is an asset
  • Good writing and communication skills
  • Good training skills in the areas of social work, social sciences and human services are desirable.

  Competencies

  • Working experience and familiarity with Save the children vision, mission and programming humanitarian response;
  • Experience in working with Governments.

  Languages

  • Strong working knowledge of English (spoken and written)
  • Knowledge of local language is an asset

  SC Values are: Accountability, Ambition, Collaboration, Creativity and Integrity. To meet the value system the post holder is expected to demonstrate the following Competencies on ongoing bases (this varies according to the position please consider the below as example)

  Leading: (align with Ambition, Integrity collaboration and creativity)

  • Delivering result: Takes personal responsibility and holds others to account to deliver our ambitious goals for children, continually improving own performance or that of the team/ organization.

  Thinking: (align with Ambition, Creativity, Collaboration and Creativity)

  • Applying technical and professional expertise: Applies the required technical and professional expertise to the highest standards; promotes and shares best practice within and outside the organization.

  Engaging: (align with Collaboration, Creativity)

  • Working effectively with others Works collaboratively to achieve shared goals and thrives on diversity of people and perspectives; knows when to lead and when to follow and how to ensure effective cross-boundary working.
  Communicating with Impact: Communicates clearly and confidently with others to engage and influence; promotes dialogue and ensures timely and appropriate messages, building confidence and trust with others.