Psychosocial Mobile Team Member (Lay Counsellor)

CTG Overview

CTG staff and support humanitarian projects in fragile and conflict-affected countries around the world, providing a rapid and cost-effective service for development and humanitarian missions. With past performance in 17 countries – from the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and Asia, we have placed more than 20,000 staff all over the world since operations began in 2006.

CTG recruits, deploys and manages the right people with the right skills to implement humanitarian and development projects, from cleaners to obstetricians, and mechanics to infection specialists, we’re skilled in emergency response to crises such as the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. Key to successful project delivery is the ability to mobilise at speed; CTG can source and deploy anyone, anywhere, in less than 2 weeks and have done so in 48 hours on a number of occasions.

Through our efficient and agile HR, logistical and operational services, CTG saves multilateral organisations time and money. We handle all our clients’ HR related issues, so they are free to focus on their core services.

Visit www.ctg.org to find out more

Overview of Position

Under the overall supervision of the MHPSS / Protection Program Manager & the direct supervision of the Project Assistant MHPSS / Protection & closely coordinating with the MHPSS / Protection Officers (Gender Based Violence (GBV), Mainstreaming & Counter Trafficking (CT)) of the unit, the successful candidates’ primary role will be to implement MHPSS / protection activities in Katsina state, as member of our cleints Psychosocial Support (PSS) team.

Role Objectives

• Conduct MHPSS & protection assessments in coordination with the Protection Assistant & MHPSS National Program Officer.
• Map existing & available support provisions at the micro level, including but not limited to existing community structures & resources, relevant government ministries & parastatal services, health facilities, academic institutions, NGOs, CBOs, FBOs, as well as UN entities & design, together with the supervisor, initiatives to reinforce their capacity.
• Develop an intervention plan in coordination with the Project Assistant & provide tailored MHPSS & protection services to the affected populations based on the needs, concerns & other risk factors identified during the MHPSS / protection assessment.
• Provide emotional & psychological support, including supportive communication, individual & group counselling as well as Psychological First Aid (PFA) to the affected population in need.
• Provide direct assistance to the most vulnerable individuals & families of the affected populations, such as women, children, the elderly, persons living with disabilities, survivors of violence & socially marginalized or excluded persons.
• Follow up on the integration of the abductees / escapees & their families into community life.
• Organize, together with the Social Worker of the PSS team, sensitization, information dissemination sessions (messages related to health, psychosocial concerns, GBV, PSEA & TiP) & problem solving group sessions on identified social problems encountered by the affected individuals & communities.
• Strengthen existing social networks & promote participatory initiatives aimed at activating protective, restorative & transformative psychosocial factors at the community level, such as mutual support, intra & inter family cooperation, public gatherings, peer to peer support & dialogue.
• Identify cases that require specialized intervention & refer them to the appropriate service providers in close coordination with the Protection Assistant & MHPSS National Program Officer & respond to cases referred by other organizations.
• Organize support & discussion groups & forums & coordinate with the PSS team members as to the need to integrate vulnerable individuals within the psychosocial groups’ activities.
• In coordination with the Protection Assistant & MHPSS National Program Officer, provide technical guidance, capacity building training & supervision to community focal points, community structures & volunteers in the concerned communities, ensuring that the program’s activities are effectively communicated & carried out in participatory & inclusive ways.
• Report daily activities.
• Undertake duty travel to very challenging areas when necessary.
• Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Project Reporting

This role will works under the overall supervision of the MHPSS / Protection Program Manager & the direct supervision of the Project Assistant MHPSS / Protection & closely coordinating with the MHPSS / Protection Officers (Gender Based Violence (GBV), Mainstreaming & Counter Trafficking (CT)) of the unit.

Key Competencies

• University degree from accredited institutions in social sciences, social work, psychology or in a related field or an equivalent combination of education, training & experience with a minimum of three years of relevant experience, including capacity building functions within the humanitarian field.
• Experience in the provision of MHPSS services (including (lay) counselling, individual & group support sessions, PFA & emotional support) to displaced & conflict affected individuals & communities.
• Working experience with our clients MHPSS / protection team, especially with one of the psychosocial mobile teams, is an advantage.
• Open & positive attitude & ability to communicate in a trustful manner with all members of the affected community.
• Genuine care & respect for the needs of vulnerable populations with a strong belief in empowering marginalized & disenfranchised people.
• High integrity & willingness to conduct her / himself transparently & open to scrutiny.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, ability to work under pressure, with minimal supervision & in a culturally diverse team.
• Strong interpersonal skills & demonstrated ability to establish effective & trustful working relations with local staff & other stakeholders.
• Excellent analytical & communication skills.
• Ability to independently carry out tasks, proactivity, ability to multi task & to prioritize.
• Knowledge of social & development issues in Nigeria, particularly within the area of responsibility.
• S / he must be fluent in Hausa & English with excellent report writing skills
• Knowledge of Fulfulbe is an advantage.
• Inclusion & respect for diversity respect & promote individual & cultural differences, encourage diversity & inclusion wherever possible.
• Maintain high ethical standards & acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles / rules & standards of conduct.
• Demonstrates the ability to work in a composed, competent & committed manner & exercises careful judgment in meeting day to day challenges.
• Develops & promotes effective collaboration within & across units to achieve shared goals & optimize results.
• Delivering results produces & delivers quality results in a service oriented & timely manner, is action-oriented & committed to achieving agreed outcomes.
• Managing & sharing knowledge continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge & innovate.
• Takes ownership for achieving the organization’s priorities & assumes responsibility for own actions & delegated work.
• Encourages & contributes to clear & open communication, explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring & motivational way.
• Provides a clear sense of direction, leads by example & demonstrates the ability to carry out the organization’s vision; assists others to realize & develop their potential.
• Empowering others & building trust creates an atmosphere of trust & an enabling environment where staff can contribute their best & develop their potential.
• Work strategically to realize the organization’s goals & communicates a clear strategic direction.

Team Management

• This role has no team management responsibility.

Further Information

• Qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply for this role.