Job Details

TITLE:  Community Based Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Assistants (02)

TEAM/PROGRAMME: CHILD PROTECTION
LOCATION: Maban Filed Office

GRADE: 5 step 1
CONTRACT LENGTH: 3 Months (Renewable)

CHILD SAFEGUARDING: (select only one)Level 3:  the role holder will have contact with children and/or young people intensively because S/he works in country programs.

ROLE PURPOSE:  Under the supervision of the Community Based MHPSS Officer with technical support from the Community Based MHPSS Technical Specialist, the MHPSS Assistant will help the officer implementing child protection project activities, particularly MHPSS component that will include building the capacity of the CP Community mobilizers, community members and direct services for individuals with mental health problems providing basic counselling and other interventionsThe child protection Programme is currently focusing on Comprehensive case management, MHPSS and community based mechanisms for mobilization, awareness raising and engagements. Under the supervision of the Team Leader 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 Renk and support provision of direct MHPSS services for individuals with high PSS needs.The incumbent of this position represents Save the Children values and principles in interactions with staff and external audiences. These values and principles include commitment to the mission of Save the Children international, team orientation, quality management and leadership development, introducing systems and procedures to strengthen staff motivation and productivity. 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. 

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: MHPSS OfficerStaff reporting to this post: n/aDirect: n/aBudget Responsibilities: n/aRole Dimensions:

• Internal: All Staff and in Save the Children with relevant qualification and experience
• External: County level sections, Local and International NGOs and UN Agencies in the field location
  • Identification and registration of psychosocial needs of beneficiaries based on the vulnerability criteria of the South Sudan PSS standard operating procedures (SOPs)

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

• Actively promote the availability of counselling 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 of any material needed for counselling activities and maintain and update
• 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 wayward 
• 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 Mental Health and Psychosocial Officer I.e. CP Weekly and monthly reports as maybe required from time to time.
• Receive reports of cases from community based child protection networks (CBCPN), Child Protection Help Desks (CPHD), children clubs etc. and give feedbacks 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 maybe assigned by the Mental Health and Psychosocial Officer.

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   

• Minimum Diploma level with specialization in counselling, social work or community development

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLSEssential

• 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 including Arabic
• Excellent technical understanding of child protection in emergencies 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 (Renk) is an added advantage
• Work experience with children and families, especially knowledge of child rights and participation
• Experience in community facilitation and mobilisation
• Previous NGO experience, including an understanding of the neutral status of an international NGO.

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.