Current Job Vacancies at Heartland Alliance International Nigeria

Heartland Alliance International - Nigeria, one of the world’s leading anti-poverty and a services based human rights organizations, works in communities in the U.S. and abroad to serve those who are homeless, living in poverty, or seeking safety. It provides a comprehensive array of services in the areas of health, housing, jobs and justice - and leads state and national policy efforts, which target lasting change for individuals and society. We are currently recruiting to fill the position below:     Job Title: Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Specialist Req ID: 4929 Location: Nigeria Reports To: Program Director Overview

• HAI seeks a Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Specialist to oversee the implementation of the technical aspects of a MHPSS response focused on the internally displaced population in Borno State, Nigeria.
• The MHPSS Specialist will be responsible for ensuring that the MHPSS activities are aligned with global guidelines and best practices in the field of MHPSS and for providing supervision and capacity building of national MHPSS providers. The MHPSS Specialist will report to the Program Director and will liaise closely with HAI’s global MHPSS Technical Advisor.

• Guides the implementation of MHPSS programming with a focus on technical aspects and quality assurance through close monitoring and supervision
• Ensures that MHPSS program components are implemented according to approved work plan to achieve program deliverables. Through strong planning and monitoring, identifies potential obstacles to programmatic success in a timely fashion, and implements corrective actions as needed
• Ensures technical oversight and field-monitoring of the program staff in close coordination with program managers, notably to ensure quality control and adequate implementation of the planned tools and frameworks
• Provides capacity building training  and supervision to  national MHPSS staff
• As needed, contributes to the development of case studies of successes and lessons learned, and other publications to highlight HAI’s niche areas of expertise and value added
• Provides regular comprehensive program updates to supervisor as to program status, current and emerging issues
• Oversees the recruitment of MHPSS field staff
• Attends relevant coordination groups
• Develops scopes of work, project deliverables and monitoring and evaluation indicators and targets together with the Program Development team and HQ MHPSS Technical Advisor for grant and service delivery partners as required

• To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.
• The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or competency required.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Master’s degree or higher in Mental Health, Social Work, Counseling or related field with a minimum of 5 years of experience

• At least two years of experience implementing MHPSS programming in humanitarian settings, preferably in Sub-Saharan Africa
• Program implementation experience
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement capacity building training of staff on MHPSS
• Experience with MHPSS programming for survivors of gender based violence preferred
• Experience in mental health and psychosocial support interventions for children and adolescents preferred

• Excellent oral and written English language communication skills required

• Time Management – Ability to prioritize tasks, manage time and complete projects in a fast-paced, changing environment with minimal supervision.
• Quality Management - Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness
• Analytical - Synthesizes complex or diverse information; Collects and researches data
• Written Communication - Writes clearly and informatively; Edits work for spelling and grammar; Varies writing style to meet needs; Presents numerical data effectively;
• Adaptability - Adapts to changes in the work environment; Manages competing demands; Changes approach or method to best fit the situation; Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events
• Cultural Competence – Ability to work in diverse cultural contexts; Sensitivity to and respect of cultural norms

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Internet Explorer, Outlook/Exchange, Windows operating systems

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; use hands to handle or feel and reach with hands and arms.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.

• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
• The employee may be required to remain on Organization premises during breaks and/or meal periods and may be required to stay on Organization premises until their replacement arrives.
• The employee is required to travel regularly to often insecure and limited-resource environments.

• HAI seeks a Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) technical specialist to provide capacity building training and technical oversight of the implementation of MHPSS activities in two of HAI’s programs in Nigeria that include an anti-trafficking project as well as the MHPSS components of largescale HIV program. Based in Abuja, Nigeria with some regional travel, the MHPSS technical specialist will report to the Nigeria Program Director and liaise closely with HAI’s global MHPSS Technical Advisor.
• The MHPSS technical specialist will also be responsible for program development, project start-up, as well as planning and supporting implementation of new trauma-informed components of HAI’s One Stop Shop (OSS) model for HIV prevention, testing, counseling, and treatment for key populations.

• Guides the implementation of MHPSS programming and the methods of follow-up, with a focus on technical aspects and quality assurance through close monitoring and supervision
• Develops scopes of work, project deliverables and monitoring and evaluation indicators and targets together with the Program Development team and HQ MHPSS Technical Advisor for grant and service delivery partners as required.
• As needed, supports HQ MHPSS TA with developing guidance, tools, case studies, models, and other materials related to mental health programming to promote learning across country offices.
• As possible, represents HAI and its projects in professional and public settings, and makes presentations at professional meetings and conferences.
• Ensures that MHPSS program components are implemented according to approved work plan to achieve program deliverables. Through strong planning and monitoring, identify potential obstacles to programmatic success in a timely fashion, and implement corrective actions as needed
• Ensures technical oversight and field-monitoring of the program staff in close coordination with program managers, notably to ensure quality control and adequate implementation of the planned tools and frameworks
• Provides capacity building training  and supervision to  national MHPSS staff and other stakeholders and project partners
• As needed, contributes to the development of case studies of successes and lessons learned, and other publications to highlight HAI’s niche areas of expertise and value added.
• Provides regular comprehensive program updates to supervisor as to program status, current and emerging issues;
• Oversees the recruitment of field staff as well as personnel and documentation follow-up;
• As possible attends relevant coordination groups

• To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.
• The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or competency required.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Master’s degree or higher in Mental Health, Social Work, Counseling or related field
• Minimum of 5 years post-licensure experience

• Experience with MHPSS needs of persons living with HIV; experience with “Key Populations” strongly preferred (men who have sex with men, sex workers, people who use drugs, etc.)
• Knowledge of, and experience with motivational interviewing and harm reduction approaches
• Demonstrated ability to train staff and implementing partners on MHPSS
• Experience in the provision of clinical supervision
• Program design and development experience preferred, including proposal writing
• Experience implementing MHPSS programming in development and/or humanitarian settings, preferably in Sub-Saharan Africa preferred;
• Previous experience with anti-trafficking programming a plus

• Time Management – Ability to prioritize tasks, manage time and complete projects in a fast-paced, changing environment with minimal supervision.
• Cultural Sensitivity – Respects cultural environment in which person is working and does not act in a manner that is outwardly offensive to the local community
• Quality Management - Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness
• Analytical - Synthesizes complex or diverse information; Collects and researches data
• Written Communication - Writes clearly and informatively; Edits work for spelling and grammar; Varies writing style to meet needs; Presents numerical data effectively;
• Adaptability - Adapts to changes in the work environment; Manages competing demands; Changes approach or method to best fit the situation; Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events

• Excellent oral and written English language communication skills required

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Internet Explorer, Outlook/Exchange, Windows operating systems