Job Description
Job Overview / Summary
- The VAWG Psychological First Aid Assistant will provide frontline psychosocial support through Psychological Firs Aid to women and girls affected by distress, crisis, or violence.
- The role will prioritize early identification of needs and strong linkage to health services, including primary healthcare centers, mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) services, nutrition services, and WASH-related health services.
- The Assistant will also lead structured psychosocial support activities at Comprehensive Women Centers (CWCs), ensuring that all interventions promote well-being and facilitate access to integrated health services.
Major Responsibilities
Psychological First Aid and Health-Linked Psychosocial Support:
- Provide Psychological First Aid to women and girls in distress, ensuring safe, confidential, and respectful support.
- Identify individuals requiring health-related support, including mental health, reproductive health, and general medical care.
- Deliver basic psychosocial support sessions that promote emotional well-being and encourage positive health-seeking behavior.
- Facilitate structured PSS activities at CWCs, ensuring sessions incorporate messaging on health, hygiene, and well-being.
Referrals and Linkages to Health Services:
- Identify and refer clients to appropriate health facilities and services, including:
- Primary healthcare centers
- Mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) services
- Nutrition services
- Sexual and reproductive health services
- Support clients in accessing health services, including providing information, guidance, and follow-up.
- Conduct referral follow-ups to ensure clients receive timely and appropriate care.
- Maintain updated knowledge of health service providers, facility locations, and referral pathways.
Community Engagement and Health Awareness:
- Conduct awareness sessions on:
- Psychosocial well-being
- Available health services
- GBV and available services
- Importance of early health-seeking behavior
- Promote health/GBV education messages related to hygiene, nutrition, mental health, and overall well-being.
- Engage community structures to strengthen trust in health services and improve service uptake.
Basic GBV Support with Health Integration:
- Provide basic survivor-centered support to GBV survivors and ensure safe and confidential referral to health facilities for clinical management.
- Share information on available GBV and health services, including where and how to seek help.
- Ensure all interactions uphold confidentiality, safety, respect, and non-discrimination.
Documentation and Reporting:
- Maintain accurate and confidential records of PFA support, referrals, and activities.
- Track and document referrals to health services and service uptake.
- Support reporting in line with IRC and donor requirements.
Key Working Relationships:
- Reports to: WPE Senior Case Management Officer
- Directly Supervises: Community Incentive Workers (as assigned)
- Indirect Reporting: Senior Manager – Safety Outcome
- Internal: Health, Nutrition, WASH, Protection sectors
- External: Health facilities, service providers, community structures, partners
Job Requirements
Education
- Diploma or University Degree in Psychology, Social Work, Public Health, Nursing, or related field.
Work Experience:
- Minimum of 1–2 years’ experience in PFA, psychosocial support, or health-related programming in humanitarian settings.
Skills and Competencies:
- Strong understanding of Psychological First Aid (PFA) and basic psychosocial support.
- Knowledge of health systems, referral pathways, and service linkages.
- Ability to support clients in accessing health services and facilities.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to build trust.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and professionalism.
- Strong facilitation skills for group psychosocial sessions.
- Ability to work under pressure and coordinate multiple tasks.
Language:
- Fluency in English and Hausa required.
- Knowledge of Kanuri or other local languages is an added advantage.
Computer Skills:
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).