Community-Based Psychosocial Support (PSS) Facilitator – Adamawa Hope and Rural Aid Foundation (HARAF)

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In the aftermath of crisis and displacement, the healing of the mind is as critical as the healing of the body. Psychosocial support is the foundation of community recovery, providing the emotional tools necessary for survivors to process trauma and rebuild their lives with dignity. By joining HARAF as a PSS Facilitator, you will be at the forefront of this restorative work, creating safe spaces where resilience is nurtured and the invisible wounds of conflict are addressed with professional compassion.

Job Summary

The Community-Based PSS Facilitator is responsible for designing and leading structured emotional wellbeing activities that promote resilience among crisis-affected populations. You will act as a primary catalyst for mental health awareness at the grassroots level, facilitating group support sessions while identifying and referring individuals who require specialized clinical care to ensure a holistic recovery process.

Core Responsibilities

Group Facilitation & Community Mobilization

  • Activity Design: Facilitate structured, age-appropriate group sessions focused on psychosocial wellbeing, resilience-building, and positive coping mechanisms.
  • Outreach: Strategically mobilize community members, including marginalized groups, to ensure inclusive participation in PSS and mental health activities.
  • Safety & Inclusion: Collaborate with local leaders and protection committees to ensure that all wellbeing spaces are safe, inclusive, and culturally sensitive.

Direct Support & Intervention

  • Crisis Response: Provide immediate Psychological First Aid (PFA) to individuals in acute distress, adhering strictly to global humanitarian standards and SOPs.
  • Risk Identification: Proactively identify participants exhibiting signs of severe psychological distress and facilitate timely referrals to specialized mental health services.
  • Awareness Leadership: Lead community-wide sensitization campaigns on stress management, self-care, and the importance of destigmatizing mental health issues.

Documentation & Professional Standards

  • Monitoring & Reporting: Maintain accurate, confidential records of all PSS activities and participant feedback, submitting comprehensive reports to the technical supervisor.
  • Quality Assurance: Ensure that all interventions are aligned with the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) guidelines for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS).

Candidate Profile: Qualifications & Experience

  • Academic Background: A Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Mental Health, Child Development, or a related field within the Social Sciences.
  • Professional History: 1 to 2 years of hands-on experience in community-based psychosocial work or humanitarian field programming.
  • Specialized Training: Prior certification in Psychological First Aid (PFA), Counseling, or MHPSS frameworks is highly desirable.
  • Language Proficiency: Professional fluency in English and the ability to communicate fluently in Hausa is essential for effective community engagement in Adamawa.

Essential Skills & Competencies

  • Facilitation Mastery: Excellent public speaking and group management skills with an ability to simplify complex emotional concepts.
  • Interpersonal Empathy: High emotional intelligence, active listening skills, and the patience required to work with survivors of trauma.
  • Documentation Skills: Ability to prepare clear, data-driven reports that reflect the qualitative impact of psychosocial interventions.
  • Field Resilience: A strong willingness to operate in remote, community-based settings with a “people-first” mindset.

Benefits & Compensation

  • Salary: Competitive (Commensurate with NGO sector scales for MHPSS roles).
  • Impact: Direct involvement in the emotional and social recovery of vulnerable communities in Northeast Nigeria.
  • Professional Growth: Opportunity to work with a leading national NGO and gain specialized experience in the high-demand field of MHPSS.

About the Organization

Hope and Rural Aid Foundation (HARAF) is a Nigerian-led humanitarian force dedicated to supporting the most vulnerable populations in the Northeast. Since our inception in 2011 and formal registration in 2016, we have focused on reaching the most isolated and underserved communities where aid is often hardest to access. We believe that sustainable development is only possible when the emotional and psychological needs of the community are prioritized alongside physical aid. At HARAF, our mission is built on transparency, rural empowerment, and a deep-rooted commitment to restoring hope to those affected by crisis.

Application Details

  • Location: Adamawa State, Nigeria (On-site)
  • Employment Type: Contract
  • Application Deadline: Rolling (Immediate application is highly recommended)

How to Apply: Qualified professionals should submit their application through the official HARAF recruitment form: Apply via HARAF Online Recruitment Form

Tips for Applicants

The role of a PSS Facilitator is deeply rooted in empathy and trust. In your application, provide specific examples of how you have helped a group or individual navigate emotional challenges in the past. Highlighting your ability to speak Hausa and your familiarity with local Adamawa customs will significantly strengthen your candidacy, as community acceptance is key to successful psychosocial work.