Child Protection Officer (MHPSS) at Novel Alliance for Development Aid

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In the aftermath of humanitarian crises, the physical needs of children are often the first to be addressed, but their psychological recovery is what determines their long-term future. In Northeast Nigeria, conflict has left deep emotional scars on the youngest and most vulnerable members of society. As an MHPSS Specialist, your role is to provide the clinical and emotional support necessary to transform trauma into resilience, ensuring that every child and caregiver has the mental health resources to rebuild their lives with dignity.

Job Summary

The Child Protection Officer (Mental Health and Psychosocial Support – MHPSS) is a dedicated professional responsible for the design and delivery of psychological interventions within NADA’s response locations. You will serve as the technical lead for the child helpdesk, providing direct counseling to distressed children and their families while supervising a team of community volunteers. Your expertise will ensure that our mental health programs meet international standards, directly improving the emotional well-being of those affected by the conflict.

Key Responsibilities

Clinical Support & Counseling

  • Direct Intervention: Provide individual and group counseling sessions to children and caregivers, focusing on empathy, empowerment, and evidence-based healing techniques.
  • Acute Distress Management: Act as a first responder for children in high distress, utilizing and training others in Psychological First Aid (PFA) to alleviate immediate trauma.
  • Confidential Case Management: Maintain rigorous, encrypted records of all clinical sessions, tracking progress and behavioral changes in children and their families over time.
  • Advanced Referrals: Identify cases requiring specialized psychiatric care and facilitate smooth transitions to advanced mental health agencies.

Technical Leadership & Capacity Building

  • Team Mentorship: Supervise and train PSS facilitators and community volunteers, ensuring they are equipped with helping skills and follow-up protocols.
  • Standardization: Mainstream inter-agency guidelines (such as IASC MHPSS standards) across all NADA sectors to ensure a unified approach to mental well-being.
  • Strategy Development: Support the MHPSS unit in overseeing quality improvements and implementing structured, manualized techniques for conflict-affected youth.
  • Resource Mapping: Maintain an up-to-date map of protection service providers to strengthen referral pathways for children with severe disorders.

Coordination & Advocacy

  • Stakeholder Engagement: Represent NADA in MHPSS and Child Protection working groups, acting as the mission’s technical focal point.
  • Gender-Sensitive Advocacy: Proactively identify service gaps affecting women and girls, advocating for their specific mental health needs within the humanitarian cluster.
  • Impact Reporting: Produce detailed progressive reports (bi-monthly, quarterly, and annual) to highlight field needs and program outcomes for the Project Coordinator.

Qualifications & Requirements

Education & Training

  • Essential: A University Degree (BSc) in Psychology, Psychiatric Nursing, or a closely related clinical counseling field.
  • Technical Mastery: Certified training in Psychological First Aid (PFA) and experience with manualized MHPSS curricula.

Professional Experience

  • Sector Experience: A minimum of 3 to 10 years of experience, including at least 3 years post-NYSC experience in a clinical or NGO humanitarian setting.
  • Contextual Knowledge: Proven experience implementing child protection programs in hard-to-reach or conflict-affected areas.
  • Leadership: Demonstrated ability to manage teams and supervise volunteers in complex field environments.

Skills & Competencies

  • Language: Fluency in English and Hausa is mandatory. The ability to communicate in Kanuri or Shuwa Arab is a distinct professional advantage.
  • Soft Skills: High level of emotional intelligence, discretion with sensitive data, and the ability to work independently under pressure.
  • Emergency Agility: Willingness to work flexible hours and adapt to changing profiles during major humanitarian emergencies.

Why This Role is Important

Physical safety is only half the battle in child protection. Without specialized MHPSS support, children suffering from the effects of conflict face lifelong challenges with development and social integration. In this role, you provide the “mental safety net” that allows children to process their experiences. You are the link that ensures a child who has survived violence doesn’t just survive, but eventually thrives.

Salary & Benefits

  • Type: 12-Month Contract (with potential for extension)
  • Location: Borno / Yobe State
  • Salary: Competitive (Based on NADA’s humanitarian salary scale for technical officers).
  • Professional Value: Gain deep field experience with a specialized indigenous NGO and lead the implementation of international MHPSS standards in the Sahel.

Tips for Applicants

  1. Emphasize Clinical Depth: In your application, focus on your experience with specific therapeutic techniques or group counseling methodologies you have mastered.
  2. Highlight Resilience: Mention your experience working in hard-to-reach areas; the organization values staff who are comfortable and effective in “deep field” locations.
  3. Prepare a Writing Sample: Since report writing is a key accountability, ensure your cover letter is a masterpiece of clear, professional communication.

About the Organization

Novel Alliance for Development Aid (NADA) is a prominent national NGO founded in 2017 by a group of Nigerian intellectuals and humanitarians. Based in Maiduguri, we are dedicated to providing integrated, life-saving services to communities devastated by conflict in Northeast Nigeria. We operate with a deep commitment to integrity, collaboration, and the creative pursuit of solutions that foster resilience and protect the rights of every human being, especially the youngest and most vulnerable.

Application Details

  • Deadline: January 6, 2026
  • How to Apply: Qualified candidates should complete the official NADA recruitment form at: NADA MHPSS Officer Application.

NADA is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage female candidates to apply for this role to ensure a gender-balanced approach to protection.