Job Details

TITLE:  Community Based MHPSS Officer (01)

TEAM/PROGRAMME: Child Protection/GBV
LOCATION: Maban Filed Office

GRADE: 4 step 1
CONTRACT LENGTH: 3 months (Renewable) 

CHILD SAFEGUARDING: Level 3:  the post holder will have contact with children and/or young people either frequently (e.g. once a week or more) or intensively (e.g. four days in one month or more or overnight) because they work country programs; or are visiting country programs; or because they are responsible for implementing the police checking/vetting process staff. 

ROLE PURPOSE: The MHPSS Officer is a member of Save the Children’s (SC) team to implement a GBV/Child Protection project in Maban. The role will support the CP and GBV teams to ensure integration of MHPSS in the response. Under the supervision of the CYP Coordinator and with technical support from the MHPSS Specialist,  the post holder will ensure the integration and coordination of MHPSS services within the returnees and refugee response in Maban  and support provision of direct MHPSS services for individuals with high PSS needs. 

ROLE DIMENSION: About: For 100 years, Save the Children has been making a difference in children's lives in more than 120 countries. We are the world's largest independent child rights organisation, underpinned by a vision of a world in which every child attains the right to survival, protection, development and participation. Our mission is to inspire breakthroughs in the way the world treats children, and to achieve immediate and lasting change in their lives. Save the Children is an organization for talented people with different backgrounds and perspectives. We are proud that our people are representative of the children we work with and we thrive on our diversity. We are an equal opportunity organisation dedicated to our core values of Accountability, Ambition, Collaboration, Creativity and Integrity. Our culture is embedded in these values, along with a strong commitment to our Child Safeguarding Protocol, ensuring that all representatives of Save the Children demonstrate the highest standards of behaviour towards children both in their private and professional lives. In South Sudan, we implement programmes in Child Protection, Child Rights Governance, Education, Food Security and Livelihoods, Health and Nutrition. We save children’s lives. We fight for their rights. We help them fulfil their potential. Following the outbreak of armed conflict in Sudan on 15 April 2023, large numbers of civilians have been forced to flee for safety to neighbouring countries or returned home. As of May 11, 2023, newly arrived refugees / asylum seekers (other nationalities) were 2,189 and newly arrived South Sudanese refugee returnees were 48,361. In Renk and Maban refugee camp, Save the Children is one of the humanitarian agencies responding to the emergency. In Renk, Save the Children response is in child protection in emergencies (case management and Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) led by a Rapid Response Team. With more refugees and returnees crossing the border, the RRT is looking to expand its response scope and human capacity. This role will contribute towards Save the Children’s Child Protection strategic objective; Increase protection of most vulnerable children & women from related violence including GBV by 2024 and towards Save the Children’s global breakthrough 2030 ‘Violence against children is no longer tolerated’. 

SCOPE OF ROLE:Reports to: CYP CoordinatorStaff reporting to this post: MHPSS Assistant Budget Responsibilities: N/ARole Dimensions:  About: For 100 years, Save the Children has been making a difference in children's lives in more than 120 countries. We are the world's largest independent child rights organisation, underpinned by a vision of a world in which every child attains the right to survival, protection, development and participation. Our mission is to inspire breakthroughs in the way the world treats children, and to achieve immediate and lasting change in their lives. Save the Children is an organization for talented people with different backgrounds and perspectives. We are proud that our people are representative of the children we work with and we thrive on our diversity. We are an equal opportunity organisation dedicated to our core values of Accountability, Ambition, Collaboration, Creativity and Integrity. Our culture is embedded in these values, along with a strong commitment to our Child Safeguarding Protocol, ensuring that all representatives of Save the Children demonstrate the highest standards of behaviour towards children both in their private and professional lives. In South Sudan, we implement programmes in Child Protection, Child Rights Governance, Education, Food Security and Livelihoods, Health and Nutrition. We save children’s lives. We fight for their rights. We help them fulfil their potential. Role Dimensions:This role will contribute towards Save the Children’s Child Protection strategic objective that ‘All girls and boys have increased access to child protection services and violence against children is reduced by 2021’ and towards Save the Children’s global breakthrough 2030 ‘Violence against children is no longer tolerated’. 

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:Work closely with the Programme Manager and Team Leader to ensure the quality implementation of MHPSS activities in the response. Capacity building 

• Capacity building – work with MHPSS Specialist to: prepare and conduct trainings, coaching, mentoring and on-job training to field teams including voluteers on relevant MHPSS topics (e.g., Psychological First Aid (PFA), basic community-based MHPSS care principles/approaches, detection of acute distress and mental health conditions, MHPSS services for SGBVsurvivors, referral pathways and procedures, etc.)
• Work with community structures such as local autholities, religious leaders, women and youth groups and other key community members to raise awareness on key child protection and MHPSS issues, stigma and discrimination in their communities and train on topics such as positive coping, key MHPSS messages and linking children and their families and other adults to available services
• Support training SCI staff on self care practices and support the human resource team to respond to the welfare needs of staff, especially frontline workers

Direct Services 

• Provide individual and / or group psychosocial support to people with psychosocial   needs 
• Remote psychosocial support through phone communication to individuals who may not be in position to access services due to factors such flood waters, poor roads especially during rainy season,  etc. 
• Work with CP team on awareness raising, identification and response to SGBV and referral in line with the established referral pathway.

  Supervision, Reporting and Coordination 

• Monitor, supervise and assess the quality of the implementation of MHPSS activities, ensuring that SCI staff are using the recommended MHPSS guidelines and tools, and are able to provide quality PSS services, including coordinating and sharing data
• Develop and manage weekly supervision schedules with the support of the MHPSS TS to ensure relevant staff receive adequate field supervision and that catchment populations are offered services according to intervention protocols
• Ensure all data from the MHPSS component is kept confidential and shared with the data management team daily/weekly
• In close working relationship with the various sector teams, implement, monitor,   follow up and report on all MHPSS program activities that include trainings, workshops, facilitation, data collection, etc.
• Mapping of internal and external MHPSS services, ensuring a good working relationship with other agencies  for the referral of people in need of  further support
• Coordinate with logistics to ensure timely and safe delivery of MHPSS associated supplies
• Representation of Save the Children as necessary at field site level (i.e. community meetings, MHPSS working group, child protection, health or as required)
• Perform other functions relative to MHPSS  activities and initiatives that may be assigned by Line Manager.

BEHAVIOURS (Values in Practice)Accountability:

• holds self accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values
• holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities - giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved.

Ambition:

• sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves 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   

• Degree or diploma in counselling, psychiatry, psychology, social work or any other mental health relevant field.

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLSEssential 

• At least 2 years work experience in implementing mental health and psychosocial support programming
• Proven capacity to train, supervise, and coach staff on key MHPSS topics 
• Practical experience on MHPSS community based approaches in Cp & GBV
• Fluent in written and spoken English
• Fluent in basic/Juba Arabic

Desireable

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Problem solving and decision making skills
• Ability to prioritize tasks
• Able to work to tight deadlines and under pressure
• Strong interpersonal skills, ethical sensitivity and ability to empathise with children, youth and their carers 

Additional job responsibilitiesThe 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 SafetyThe role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with SCI Health and Safety policies and procedures.