SOS Children’s Villages Ethiopia is an International Non-governmental organization and a member of SOS Children’s Villages International Federation. The organization started its humanitarian work with the opening of its first Village in Mekelle, Northern part of Ethiopia in 1974. The organization has been providing life-saving provisions such as food, water and health services for a very significant number of children devastated by severe drought and the subsequent famine.

Today, we have grown significantly to meet the persistent challenges that confront Ethiopian children who have lost parental care and are at risk of losing their parental care. Working in close collaboration with international donors, local government and community based organizations across seven program locations; SOS Children’s Villages Ethiopia aspires that every child grows up with love, respect and security.

As part of SOS CVE's effort to respond to different emergencies such as drought, flood, conflict etc, which arise from time to time in different parts of the country, the organization has secured funding from the DERF to implement a six months emergency response project in the South Wollo zone Wadla, Gazo, Angot Woredas of the Amhara region. The project will work to address the food Integrated Emergency health, Nutrition, RMNH, ES/NFI, food security and Livelihood needs of returnee in the South Wollo  zone Wadla, Gazo, Angot Woredas of the Amhara region. 

Why we need you?

We are looking for a MHPSS and CP Officer who will be responsible  to plan and provide comprehensive and integrated psychological, emotional, and protection social services for the most needy and affected population

What we provide...

An amazing work environment that promotes personal growth through providing professional space to grow and advance your career

Your role....

While working with us a MHPSS and CP Officer you will be;

Reporting to:  Project Filed Coordinator

In charge of the following:

Identify and Asses Beneficiary

• Assess MHPSS and protection needs and identify vulnerabilities to prioritize case by case  major problems in relation to  MHPSS and Child protection needs.

• Implement MHPSS & protection activities and provide psychological consultation on regular bases.

• Conduct regular awareness-raising sessions with target communities.

• Assist in building and maintaining relationships with schools, communities, partners and state contacts.

• Responsible for the day-to-day implementation of MHPSS activities in the project implementation areas at both health facility and community level.

• Identify elements and changes in Child Psychology as the result of conflict such as playstyle changes and unhealthy emotion, grief, trauma, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. 

Provide Psychosocial Support to the Community 

• Organize data and document the number of reported Gender-Based Violence, psychological and  physical abuses, pregnancy-related complications, people with chronic illnesses and people with disabilities.

• Develop methodologies and data collection techniques for assessments, indicators, programme management, evaluations, and research related to MHPSS and Protection.

• Support regular participatory activities with different groups of children, adolescents and youths to identify issues affecting children in their communities, and assist the teams to develop appropriate responses;

• Coordinate the designing of children, adolescents and youth and family assessments and psychometrics tools and supervise their administration.

• In cooperation with other Technical Advisors, ensure that the integrated MHPSS and protection activities are implemented according to SOS CV and international standards.

• Responsible for the planning and implementation of MHPSS activities, closely monitoring, evaluating, reporting their development and flag potential issues on time.

• Supervise with humanitarian response co-workers of SOS Children’s Village and implement jointly planned activities to improve the mental health and welfare of target groups.

• Strengthen the community-facility referral system for care for survivors of Gender-Based Violence with psychosocial problems.

Reporting 

• Capture evidence and learn from MHPSS interventions to advocate and inform future programming.

• Provide monthly, quarterly, bi-annual and annual reports based on the plan to the supervisor.

Child Protection and Safeguarding 

• Lead child protection and safety programming in emergencies including assessment, program development, training for and management of Child-Friendly Spaces.

• Support humanitarian colleagues in the implementation of emergency programs and establishment of recovery programming

• Organize discussions on child protection risks, and concerns with relevant stakeholders, children, young persons and community members

• Strengthen the Child Safeguarding through creating awareness with the woreda and community leaders.

• Take the lead in establishing and strengthening Community-Based Child Protection Mechanisms in the woreda

• Ensure adherence to SOS CV policies such as the Code of Conduct, Child Safeguarding Standards and others as well as the minimum standards of humanitarian relief

• Ensure that all support is provided in the best interest of the child.

Job Requirements

Up for the challenge...

Then check out our criteria’s:

The must haves:

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree in Psychology, Social work, Sociology, Nursing  or related field with at least 4 years of counselling and social work experience

Experience:

• At least 3 years of experience in child protection or working with highly vulnerable children who lost their parents or are unaccompanied

• Experience in community-based child protection approaches

• Experience and ability to work in humanitarian or emergency context 

Additional Requirements

• Ability to analyze protection issues, and risks and organize timely responses.

• In-depth knowledge and experience of mental health and psychosocial interventions in a humanitarian response context, tailored to care for Gender-Based Violence is essential.

• Additional training on issues of mental health and psychosocial support

How to Apply

If you believe you are the right candidate for the above position, please send your application letter, detailed curriculum vitae (CV) with the names and contact details of three referees.

Please be informed that applications that are late, or do not have CV, will be disqualified and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. 

Applications should be sent electronically through the link CLICK HERE

“SOS Children’s Villages Ethiopia holds strict child safeguarding principles and a zero-tolerance policy for conducts of sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse in the workplace and other places where the organization’s activities are rendered.  Parallel to technical competence, recruitment, selection and hiring decisions will give due emphasis to assessing candidates value congruence and thorough background checks, police clearance reference check processes”.

Female applicants are highly encouraged to apply