Gender-Based Violence (GBV) / Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Officer at Save The Slum Initiative IN BORNO
We are a non profit organization which have a burning passion for the development of the slums We tend to affect the children, youth, adult in the community so as to become reliable people and citizens.
Experience4 – 6 years
Location Borno
Summary
- Design, implement, and oversee integrated GBV prevention/response and MHPSS programs for conflict-affected populations, IDPs, and vulnerable communities in North-East Nigeria.
- This dual-role focuses on providing survivor-centered GBV services while delivering trauma-informed mental health interventions that promote healing, resilience, and psychosocial wellbeing.
Responsibilities
GBV Case Management & Response (30%):
- Provide confidential GBV case management services following SOPs and international best practices
- Conduct comprehensive needs assessments, develop individualized action plans for GBV survivors
- Deliver individual/group counseling using trauma-informed approaches for GBV survivors
- Facilitate multi-sectoral service access through safe referrals (health, legal, shelter, livelihood)
- Conduct safety planning with survivors, implement emergency support measures
- Maintain confidential case files using GBVIMS, ensure secure data storage
MHPSS Service Provision (30%):
- Provide individual/group counseling using Psychological First Aid (PFA), psychosocial support techniques
- Conduct mental health assessments for conflict-affected individuals, families, children
- Deliver trauma counseling, healing sessions for violence/displacement/conflict survivors
- Facilitate psychoeducational sessions for children, adolescents, caregivers, families
- Implement crisis intervention, suicide prevention protocols when necessary
- Establish/manage Child Friendly Spaces, safe spaces, recreational centers
Prevention & Community Engagement (25%):
- Design community-based GBV prevention targeting structural risk factors, harmful social norms
- Implement community-based psychosocial support activities, interventions
- Establish/manage Women and Girls Safe Spaces (WGSS) providing protective environments
- Conduct GBV risk assessments, safety audits across program sites
- Engage men/boys in GBV prevention, mental health awareness programming
- Develop culturally appropriate GBV/MHPSS materials, resources in local languages
Capacity Building & Coordination (15%):
- Train/supervise GBV caseworkers, MHPSS volunteers, community workers, frontline staff
- Build local partner, government counterpart capacity on integrated GBV/MHPSS programming
- Deliver training on GBV concepts, survivor-centered approach, PFA, trauma-informed care
- Participate in GBV sub-cluster meetings, MHPSS working groups, inter-agency coordination
- Establish referral pathways connecting GBV and mental health services
- Support community-based protection networks, peer support initiatives
Requirements
Education & Experience:
- Bachelor’s in Social Work, Psychology, Gender Studies, Mental Health, Human Rights (Master’s preferred)
- 4-6 years combined experience in GBV programming AND MHPSS in humanitarian/development contexts
- Proven experience in GBV case management, counseling, psychosocial support provision
- Experience with sexual/gender-based violence survivors and trauma-affected populations
- Individual/group counseling experience using trauma-informed approaches
- Nigerian context knowledge, particularly North-East region and conflict-affected populations
Technical Skills:
- GBV Expertise: IASC Guidelines for GBV Interventions, survivor-centered approach, GBV guiding principles
- MHPSS Competency: IASC Guidelines on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings
- Clinical Skills: GBV case management cycle, PFA, crisis intervention, suicide prevention protocols
- Assessment Tools: MHPSS screening instruments, GBV risk assessment, outcome measures
- Data Management: GBVIMS proficiency, ethical data collection protocols, case documentation
- Legal Knowledge: Nigerian GBV laws, women’s rights, child protection frameworks
Personal Competencies:
- English fluency (Hausa/Kanuri/Nigerian languages strong asset)
- Excellent interpersonal skills, rapport building with diverse, traumatized populations
- Strong emotional resilience for work with GBV survivors and trauma-affected individuals
- Cultural sensitivity, respect for diverse religious/traditional healing practices
- Unwavering commitment to confidentiality, ethical standards, professional boundaries
- Advocacy skills, survivor rights representation, community mobilization abilities
Safeguarding and Working Conditions:
- Safeguarding Level 3- Regular contact with children, vulnerable adults, GBV survivors
- Enhanced background checks, child protection, GBV survivor safety commitment
- Zero tolerance for abuse, mandatory training on child protection, GBV, ethical standards
- PSEAH understanding, reporting mechanisms, survivor support systems knowledge
- Specific protocols for working with child survivors, trauma-affected individuals
Working Environment:
- High-stress exposure to traumatic content, GBV accounts, secondary trauma risk
- Community settings, safe spaces, survivor homes, IDP camps, remote communities
- Challenging locations with security constraints, overnight field stays
- Responsibility for maintaining strict confidentiality of sensitive GBV/mental health information
Professional Support Requirements:
- Access to qualified GBV/clinical supervisor or external supervision
- Regular peer support, GBV/MHPSS professional networks participation
- Mandatory self-care planning, stress management, professional development access
- Clinical supervision with qualified mental health professional
Coordination & Partnership:
Inter-Agency Coordination:
- GBV Sub-Cluster meetings, MHPSS working groups, technical coordination mechanisms
- Collaboration with UNFPA, UNICEF, WHO, other agencies on integrated programming
- National/international GBV and mental health networks engagement
Government Partnerships:
- Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development collaboration
- Ministry of Health mental health services coordination
- National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) partnership
- State-level gender ministries, health departments engagement
Community Partnerships:
- Traditional leaders, religious leaders, community gatekeepers collaboration
- Women’s groups, youth organizations, civil society partnerships
- Health facilities, legal aid organizations, shelter providers engagement
- Survivor networks, peer support initiatives, women’s empowerment programs
Prevention & Capacity Building:
- Number of community members reached through GBV prevention, mental health awareness
- Percentage reduction in identified GBV risks, improved mental health outcomes
- Number of staff, volunteers, partners trained on integrated GBV/MHPSS approaches
- Functionality of referral pathways connecting GBV and mental health services.
Method of Application
Interested and qualified? Go to Save The Slum Initiative on forms.gle to apply
