MHPSS Officer

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY

• Identification and registration of psychosocial needs of beneficiaries based on the vulnerability criteria of the South Sudan PSS standard operating procedures (SOPs)

• Actively promote the availability of counseling services and carry out, individual or group counselling (psychological first aid (PFA) and psychosocial support (PSS), basic psychoeducational sessions to children, adolescents, and caregivers/ families (when needed), in order to alleviate their psychosocial difficulties.

• Refer clients to other specialists or other institutions for further assistance, when necessary, in line with the available local referral pathways, to ensure effective and efficient case management process.

• Participate in the creation updating and maintenance of any material needed for counseling activities.

• Keep files and statistics of daily activities and participate in team meetings to share experiences and discuss special cases with the supervisor respecting confidentiality, and or with MHPSS Technical Specialist

• Inform and discuss with line manager any difficulties and problems of any kind arising during the day-to-day activities.

• Take an active part in MHPSS related training topics for case workers, PSS facilitators, community mobilisers and community volunteers such as community-based child protection networks (CBCPN), Child Protection Help Desks (CPHD), leaders and other stakeholders

• Hold regular meetings with case workers, PSS facilitators and community mobilizers to discuss successes, challenges and way forward

• Representation in community meetings, MHPSS working groups, GBV subcluster, etc and act as focal point for MHPSS in Akobo

• Support caseworkers, PSS facilitators and community mobilizers in emergency response and comprehensive case management issues relevant to the role.

• Actively engage the case and caregiver(s) to participate in the case management process and share information appropriately in line with case management information management protocol.

• Ensure that files, registers and computer databases are used in an appropriate and correct manner and ensure case workers adhere to proper documentation and data protection protocols.

• Document best practice, case studies and learnings for reporting and evaluation purposes.

• Prepare and submit MHPSS reports regularly as indicated by the reporting schedule, and submit to the CP Officer

• Receive reports of cases from community-based child protection networks (CPCBN), Child Protection Help Desks (CPHD), children clubs etc. and give feedback as necessary.

• Plan and conduct awareness raising sessions on prevention and in response to concerns identified.

• Conduct monthly regular meetings with community groups and stakeholders to monitor progress and ensure smooth running of the project.

• Performs other functions related to Child Protection activities and initiatives that may be assigned by Child Protection Project officer.
EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS
Essential

• Minimum Diploma in counselling, social sciences, social work, community development or any other MHPSS related training

• 2-3 years' sectorial experience or relevant experience in social work, community development and working with children in Child Protection Programme preferable with humanitarian Organization.

• Very good written and spoken English, Local community languages around the area of operation is an added advantage for this role.

• Must have worked in Akobo for last 3 years in similar or other roles within Child protection organization(s).

• Excellent technical understanding of child protection and community-based approaches

• Computer knowledge

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills

• Be able to prioritize tasks.

• Able to operate in extremely harsh living and working environment.

Desirable

• Knowledge of the area, socio-culture, and local language where the post is located as an added advantage.

• Work experience with children and families, especially knowledge of child rights and participation

• Experience in community facilitation and mobilization

• Previous NGO experience, including an understanding of the neutral status of an international NGO. Fluency in written and spoken English and other vernacular languages of South Sudan.

Child Safeguarding and Code of Conduct:

The Post holder will adhere to Save the Children's Child Safeguarding Policy and Code of Conduct set out.
Save the Children's work is based on deeply held values and principles, it is essential that our commitment to children's rights and humanitarian principles is supported and demonstrated by all members of staff. Save the Children's Child Safeguarding Policy and Code of Conduct set out the standards which all staff members must adhere to:

Additional job responsibilities
The duties and responsibilities as set out above are not exhaustive and the role holder may be required to carry out additional duties within reasonableness of their level of skills and experience.
Equal Opportunitie s
The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with the SCI Equal Opportunities and Diversity policies and procedures.
Child Safeguarding:
We need to keep children safe so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.
Safeguarding our Staff:
The post holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with the SCI anti-harassment policy
Humanitarian response
In the event of a major humanitarian emergency, the role holder will be expected to work outside the normal role profile and be able to vary working hours accordingly

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