Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Officer (SMSPS)

MENTAL HEALTH AND PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT OFFICER (SMSPS)

Organization: First International Emergency (PUI)

Location

Location: CRENI of the Health Directorate of Tessaoua, Region of Maradi, Niger Hierarchy: Head of the health program Technical Supervision: Mental Health Coordinator and Psychosocial Support Duration of the contract: 9-month fixed term

• 1. Role of the position The Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Officer contributes to the implementation of psychosocial support activities for malnourished children, their mothers and accompanying persons within the CRENI of the Tessaoua Health Directorate. It is involved in health and nutritional activities to promote the psychological well-being of beneficiaries, strengthen their ability to cope with emotional difficulties and improve interactions between children and their parents or caregivers. It ensures the early identification of people with psychosocial distress, conducts individual interviews, organizes group support sessions and offers stimulation activities adapted to the needs of children in care. It also contributes to the prevention of gender-based violence, the safe referral of people in need of specialized assistance and the capacity building of health and community teams. The incumbent works in collaboration with health professionals, nutrition teams, community workers and local protection actors. It ensures respect for the confidentiality, informed consent, dignity and security of beneficiaries, while ensuring documentation of activities and transmission of the required reports.

Responsibilities

A. Providing individual psychosocial support The SMSPS Officer identifies early mothers, caregivers and children who may have psychological distress or special needs in terms of psychosocial support. He conducts individual interviews to better understand the difficulties encountered, assess the needs of beneficiaries and determine the forms of support adapted to each situation. It provides first-line psychosocial support based on active listening, caring reception, emotional stabilization and support for people in difficulty. It follows up on beneficiaries according to their needs and involves family members when appropriate and the persons concerned consent. When the situation goes beyond its scope of intervention, it facilitates referral to relevant services, including mental health, child protection, gender-based violence management or medical and social assistance.

Education / Qualifications

In all its interventions, it guarantees the confidentiality of information, respects informed consent and applies the principles of non-discrimination, security and prevention of harm. B. Organize collective psychosocial support activities

Experience

The incumbent prepares and leads group sessions for mothers and caregivers of children in care at CRENI. These sessions aim to promote exchanges, mutual support and the sharing of experiences in a respectful and safe environment. It organizes discussions and awareness activities on stress management, emotional well-being, coping mechanisms and positive parenting practices. It contributes in particular to the strengthening of interactions between mothers and their children, by encouraging behaviours that are conducive to their development and emotional security. It ensures the inclusive participation of beneficiaries, adapts the methods of animation to the needs of the group and intervenes tactfully when a person shows an intense emotion or reveals a sensitive situation. C. Implement psychosocial stimulation activities for children The SMSPS Officer organizes individual or collective stimulation activities adapted to malnourished children welcomed at CRENI. These activities can include games, songs, stories, verbal exchanges, movements and sensory stimulation exercises. It encourages the participation of mothers and caregivers in order to strengthen positive interactions with children and promote their well-being during nutritional care. It observes the reactions and behaviors of children in order to identify possible signs of malaise or developmental difficulties requiring special attention. When necessary, it facilitates their referral to competent professionals and coordinates interventions with clinical and nutritional teams. It also ensures the availability, maintenance and proper use of play and stimulation equipment used during sessions. D. Contribute to the prevention and referral of cases of gender-based violence The SMSPS Officer participates in awareness-raising activities aimed at preventing gender-based violence and improving the access of beneficiaries to information on available assistance services. It promotes the careful identification of people who may need support and provides, where appropriate, first-line psychosocial support. He makes sure not to investigate or ask the people concerned to tell in detail about traumatic events. It facilitates referral to specialised services only with the free and informed consent of the persons concerned, taking into account their safety, dignity and specific needs. It helps to maintain up-to-date information on available referral services and coordinates the necessary actions with the medical team and other relevant services. E. Collaborate with CRENI teams and health services The incumbent works closely with the medical, nutrition, nursing and hygiene teams and community workers working at CRENI.

Other information

It coordinates psychosocial sessions with care activities, meals, rest periods and other stages of child care. It ensures that psychosocial interventions complement medical and nutritional care without disrupting their progress. He shares with the professionals concerned only the information necessary for the continuity of the accompaniment, in compliance with the rules of confidentiality. It also contributes to the awareness and capacity building of CRENI teams and community workers on mental health, psychosocial support and protection issues. As part of the internal coordination, he works in particular with the nursing and medical officials concerned to facilitate the referral of cases requiring medical care. It also helps to monitor the availability and distribution of dignity kits in PUI-supported health facilities, in accordance with the responsibilities described in the offer. F. Monitoring, data collection and reporting The SMSPS Officer plans the activities entrusted to him and ensures the collection, updating and conservation of data relating to beneficiaries, activities carried out, guidelines and monitoring indicators. It prepares monthly activity reports and other follow-up documents required by the program. Depending on the requirements of the position, these documents include databases, PMTs, training reports, meeting minutes and the 5W protection matrix. It transmits the documents to the Health Program Manager and SMSPS Coordinator, pending their technical validation before archiving, in accordance with the procedures indicated. It also contributes to the documentation of results, good practices and positive experiences. Testimonials and success stories must be collected with respect for the consent of the persons concerned, their anonymity and confidentiality. G. Develop coordination with local actors The incumbent maintains working relationships with community actors, local officials, state services and humanitarian organizations operating in his or her area of assignment. It contributes to the identification of mental health and psychosocial support needs, promotes complementarity of interventions and participates in local coordination mechanisms for the protection and prevention of gender-based violence. It also contributes to the visibility of PUI’s activities, in compliance with the organization’s guidelines and the principles of beneficiary protection.

• 3. Job requirements A. Academic training The applicant must hold a Bachelor’s degree (Bac+3) in psychology or a related field related to mental health and psychosocial support. This training should enable them to understand the psychosocial needs of vulnerable people, adopt an approach adapted to situations of distress and contribute to individual and collective support activities. B. Professional experience The candidate must have at least two years of experience in a similar position. Experience with an NGO is an asset. Relevant experience in psychosocial support, group facilitation, community outreach or collaboration with health teams is directly related to the responsibilities described in the offer.

Required skills

C. Professional knowledge and skills The candidate must be able to work with multidisciplinary teams and contribute to the supervision of activities within their field of intervention. They must possess communication, active listening, facilitation and animation skills. Conflict management, the application of security rules and the ability to react with discernment in sensitive situations are also important. He must be able to organize his work, follow several activities, document the interventions carried out and transmit clear information to his hierarchy. D. Respect for the principles of protection The position requires a professional attitude based on neutrality, confidentiality, respect for human dignity and non-discrimination. The candidate must be able to empathize with people in difficulty, maintain their privacy and respect their consent. It must also recognize the limits of its intervention and refer beneficiaries to specialized services when necessary. Caution in the management of sensitive information and the ability to avoid any action that could aggravate the vulnerability of accompanied persons are essential. E. Languages The offer mentions the following languages: French; Hausa; Djerma; English. It is not possible to determine with sufficient certainty the level required for each of these languages. It is therefore necessary to check the mandatory and desired levels with the recruiter. F. Personal qualities In particular, the candidate must demonstrate: Empathy and a sense of listening; Good communication skills; Patience and self-control; A spirit of analysis; Autonomy and a good team spirit; Flexibility and adaptability; A sense of responsibility; Emotional resilience; Skills in facilitation and facilitation; Neutrality and discretion in handling confidential information.

• 4. Key skills Individual and collective psychosocial support. Active listening and emotional stabilization from the front line. Animation of groups and community awareness. Psychosocial stimulation of children. Strengthening mother-child interactions. Prevention of GBVs and secure guidance for beneficiaries. Confidentiality and informed consent. Collaboration with health and nutritional teams. Data collection and monitoring of indicators. Preparation of reports and minutes. Coordination with local stakeholders. Management of sensitive situations and compliance with safety rules.
• 5. Terms and conditions of application Organization: First International Emergency (PUI). Location: CRENI of the Health Directorate of Tessaoua, region of MaradiNiger. Contract: 9-month fixed term. Remuneration: According to PUI’s salary grid in Niger. Health insurance: 80% coverage, depending on the offer. Deadline: Monday 26 October 2026 at 6:00 p.m. Application address:
     Compulsory subject of the e-mail: "SMSPS Manager" Required documents: Cover letter addressed to the Administrative and Financial Coordinator of PUI. Detailed and up-to-date CV with at least three professional references. Copies of diplomas.

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