Gender-Based Violence (GBV) / Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Officer at Save The Slum Initiative

Save the Slum Initiative is a non-governmental organization with registration CAC/IT/NO 139240, STSI was founded in 2016 and is committed to responding to current needs to improve the life of people living in slums and local communities across Nigeria. STSI envisions improving the living standards of vulnerable persons and communities and our overall aim is to work with urban poor to bring about long-term and sustainable transformation to their quality of life and to also provide better community-based healthcare and empowerment education and environmental improvement to all communities that will serve.

We intervene in various sectors like WASH, Education, Protection, Nutrition, Health, and Livelihood of humanitarian sectors and community development projects. Since its inception in 2016, STSI have implemented in over 16 States in Nigeria and other African States.

Job Title: Gender-Based Violence (GBV) / Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Officer

Location: Maiduguri Borno,
Department: Protection/Child Protection Location:Maiduguri, Borno State
Reports To: Protection Coordinator/Program Manager
Employment Type: Contract
Contract: 6 Months
Start: Immediate

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.