MENTAL HEALTH AND PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT (MHPSS) OFFICER The Opportunity: Healing the Invisible Wounds of Crisis In humanitarian emergencies, addressing mental health and psychosocial well-being is as crucial as providing physical care, yet often overlooked. This role is vital for integrating specialized mental health interventions directly into primary healthcare services, ensuring a holistic response to trauma, conflict-related stress, and displacement. By providing crucial psychosocial support and clinical case management, the MHPSS Officer directly contributes to the resilience and recovery of the most vulnerable populations, transforming medical relief into comprehensive human healing. Job Summary The Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA) is seeking a dedicated and clinically skilled MHPSS Officer to manage and deliver psychosocial support and mental health services within our Katsina project area. Reporting to the MHPSS Supervisor, the Officer will be responsible for integrating MHPSS into various health units (SRH, GBV, Nutrition) and providing direct psychological care and capacity building to ensure beneficiaries receive holistic, high-quality, and confidential support in line with global standards (WHO MHGAP). What Skills Are Needed: Core Clinical and Behavioral Competencies Competency Description Clinical Case Management Expertise in conducting needs assessments, diagnosis of psychological disorders, and providing individual, family, and group psychotherapy. Inter-Sectoral Integration Proven ability to integrate MHPSS activities seamlessly with other clinical services, including SRH, SGBV, and emergency response. Capacity Building Skilled in facilitating technical trainings, delivering psychoeducation, and mentoring health staff and community workers on MHPSS/PFA. Protection Principles Unwavering commitment to core protection principles, including confidentiality, non-discrimination, and "Do No Harm." Language Proficiency Fluent command of written and spoken English is mandatory, along with fluency in the local language, Hausa, for community engagement. Key Responsibilities and Deliverables The MHPSS Officer is responsible for delivering specialized care and leading the integration of psychosocial support across the health program. 1. Direct Clinical Care and Case Management Conduct thorough case-by-case psychological needs assessments to diagnose mental health issues and develop tailored treatment plans, utilizing the WHO MHGAP approach and established ALIMA protocols. Provide culturally sensitive psychological support and focused psychotherapy sessions (individual, family, and group) to beneficiaries identified with acute mental or emotional disorders. Facilitate effective internal and external referrals to other health professionals or specialized services as necessary to optimize the patient’s overall condition and treatment. Maintain stringent documentation protocols for all cases, strictly respecting consent, confidentiality, and data protection guidelines. 2. Program Integration and Community Mobilization Strategically integrate MHPSS services into all relevant clinical units, particularly Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH), Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), malnutrition treatment (TFC/OTP), and emergency outbreak responses. Support the strengthening of community-based psychosocial activities and peer support groups, ensuring adherence to standard operating procedures. Work closely with health promotion teams, community mobilizers, and local leaders to coordinate, organize, and promote MHPSS and SGBV awareness activities. 3. Capacity Building and Learning Facilitate targeted training sessions on Psychological First Aid (PFA) for internal ALIMA staff and key community actors. Support capacity enhancement for caregivers, specifically focusing on child psycho-stimulation and early developmental support. Provide ongoing technical support and mentorship to ALIMA teams to increase their capacity for psychological identification and appropriate case referral. 4. Reporting and Coordination Proactively communicate any immediate concerning issues directly to the MHPSS supervisor. Prepare and submit detailed monthly reports, along with weekly data collection sheets, providing accurate information on activities, challenges, and service gaps. Collaborate closely with MHPSS senior management and focal points, sharing field-level information to ensure seamless coordination and optimal implementation of activities. Professional Qualifications and Experience Education A Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent qualification in Clinical Psychology, Social Work, Mental Health Counseling, or a closely related field. Experience A minimum of two (2) years of professional, specialized experience in delivering community-based psychosocial support, ideally with experience in addressing social norms change related to mental health. Proven, demonstrable skills in professional psychological counseling and crisis management techniques. Prior experience working within an international medical Non-Governmental Organization (INGO) is a distinct advantage. Skills Perfect functional proficiency in the MS Office Suite, particularly Excel and Word for data management and reporting. Mandatory: Fluent communication skills (written and verbal) in English and the local language, Hausa. Benefits of Applying ALIMA offers a dynamic and mission-driven environment with opportunities for professional growth: Competitive Salary: Compensation is competitive and will be determined based on the candidate's clinical experience and qualifications within the medical humanitarian sector. Global Innovation: Opportunity to contribute to an organization known for improving humanitarian medicine through innovation and medical research. Professional Development: Access to specialized training and support under the guidance of senior medical and MHPSS staff. High-Impact Mission: Direct involvement in providing high-standard healthcare during emergencies to the most vulnerable. About the Organization (ALIMA) The Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA) is a leading international medical organization, established in 2009 with a core mission to deliver high-standard healthcare during emergencies and medical crises. A key differentiator of ALIMA is its commitment to partnership, strategically pooling skills with national medical actors to provide extensive access to quality treatment. Beyond emergency response, ALIMA actively strives to improve humanitarian medical practice through innovative programs and vital associated medical research. Operating dynamic projects across multiple countries, ALIMA is driven by the goal of efficiently deploying effective medical aid for people most in need. Application Details Detail Information Location Katsina State, Nigeria Reporting To MHPSS Supervisor / Medical Referent Salary Expectation Competitive Application Deadline December 16, 2025 Method of Application Interested and qualified candidates should apply online. APPLY NOW Tips for Applicants Emphasize Clinical Skills: Use your cover letter to detail specific experience with clinical assessment tools (beyond just general counselling) and familiarity with WHO MHGAP protocols. Highlight Integration: Provide a concrete example of how you previously collaborated with non-MHPSS sectors (like SGBV or health promoters) to ensure a holistic approach to care. Confirm Language: Explicitly confirm your fluency in both English and Hausa in your CV or cover letter, as local language proficiency is mandatory for community-facing roles.