Mental Health & Psychosocial (MHPSS) Officer - Yobe

Mental Health & Psychosocial (MHPSS) Officer - Yobe

SUMMARY

29 Jun 2026

13 Jul 2026 - 01:00 UTC

Nigeria

Programme, Development and Quality

Permanent

Full-time

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TITLE: Mental Health & Psychosocial (MHPSS) Officer

TEAM/PROGRAMME: Child Protection in Emergencies   

LOCATION: Yobe state

GRADE: 4        

CONTRACT TYPE: National

CHILD SAFEGUARDING: Level 3. The responsibilities of this post may require the post holder to have regular contact with children and young people. In the overseas context, all posts are considered to be level 3. As part of these responsibilities, the post holder will support the establishment of child safeguarding systems, promote a culture of keeping children safe, and ensure that potential harm to children (by our own staff and/or as a result of how we do our work) is identified and addressed on an ongoing basis.  The post holder should report and respond to interventions as determined by position-related responsibilities identified in the Child Safeguarding Policy.

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. 

SCOPE OF ROLE: 

Reports to: Child Protection Coordinator

Staff reporting to this post: Facilitators

Budget responsibility: None

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

Programme Implementation and Technical Quality

head 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

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Essential

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

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 Opportunities: 

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.

Health and Safety:

The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with SCI Health and Safety policies and procedures.

Please note that No individual is expected to pay any amount or offer any form of favor to secure a position or contract with SCI. Any such act is strictly prohibited and should be avoided.