Psychosocial Support Officer

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

Community Supervision:

• Lead, organise and supervise the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) activities of Community Health Volunteers, including Community Based Organizations (CBO) volunteers, related to peer support groups and referrals
• Establish and maintain MHPSS peer support groups in five Medair supported Social and Development Centers (SDCs) in line with programme targets, under the technical guidance of the Medair Psychologist
• Assist CBO partners to establish and maintain peer support groups in line with programme targets, and conduct regular training and supervision visits, under the technical oversight of the Medair Psychologist
• Provide continuous support on PSS activities, including check-up visits, for Community Health Volunteers involved in the health project
• Facilitate peer group PSS support sessions, under the technical oversight of the Psychologist
• Assist in facilitation of regular meetings between Medair Psychologist and volunteers
• Provide input to the integration of beneficiary participation into all aspects of health project
• Reflect vision and values of MEDAIR when interacting with team members, volunteers and beneficiaries

• Assist in the formulation of Psychosocial Support (PSS) messages and approaches, in consultation with health project staff and the Community volunteers.
• Monitoring for data entry and submit timely weekly and monthly reports to the Senior Health Officer.
• Assist in setting referral pathways, receive PSS referrals (internal/external), follow-up on referrals and provide feedback of actions taken
• Act as link between Medair and communities, between outreach staff and supported SDCs.
• Engage community leaders, community-based organizations, and other service providers in supporting beneficiaries to access PSS services.
• Assist in planning and implementation of assessments and surveys as required.

Staff Management

• Responsible for coaching and technical supervision of Community Health Volunteers, including CBO volunteers, to develop ownership and full responsibility for PSS activities.
• Assess the PSS training needs of Community Health Volunteers and ensure that appropriate capacity building plan is established

Financial Management

• Under supervision of Senior Community Health Officer prepare PDFs for payment and PRs as needed  

Communication and Coordination

• In close coordination with the Senior Community Health Officer, develop and maintain appropriate, regular, transparent and supportive communication structures with the assigned team and other relevant stakeholders (e.g. beneficiaries, community leaders, local municipalities) with the objective of ensuring good cooperation and partnerships.
• Participate in Medair internal trainings, and delegated by Senior Community Health Officer, meetings as required, representing Medair and feeding back to the Senior Community health Officer / Health Manager on relevant issues.

Logistics

• Support the logistics activities for the PSS/community health part of the project as required and delegated by the Health Project Manager.

Quality Management

• Ensure quality implementation of the PSS activities
• Ensure that all standardised formats are used and guidelines are followed
• Maintain confidentiality in all aspects of clients, staff and agency information
• Ensure that all spaces where activities are implemented meet interagency standards for safe spaces whether mobile or static

Person Specification:

Relevant degree or diploma (psychologist, social worker, nurse with mental health experience)

1-3 years relevant post-qualification professional experience

Experience in Psychology OR in social work OR in nursing with previous experience in mental health

Ability to facilitate support group sessions

Ability to effectively assess and support persons in crisis

Ability to provide follow-up and to monitor as per mental

health professional’s recommendations

Ability to conduct a full assessment of a person’s needs

Experience in training / mentoring / coaching staff

Experience in training / mentoring / coaching staff

Excellent computer skills (Word & excel)

Passion for and understanding of humanitarian issues

Excellent and inspiring communicator

Capacity to work under pressure and manage personal stress levels

Able to work to tight deadlines