Mental Health and Psycho-Social Support Manager at the Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA)


Posted on: Wed 31-01-2024

The Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA) is an independent humanitarian medical NGO that was created in 2009 by professionals in humanitarian medicine. ALIMA’s mission is to provide medical care in emergencies or medical catastrophes.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Mental Health and Psycho-Social Support Manager

Location: Abuja

Summary of Activities

  • Under the daily guidance of the Medical Referent and technical support of the Roving MHPSS Manager for Nigeria, the MHPSS Manager will provide overall technical and programmatic oversight of ALIMA’s MHPSS interventions in Katsina State.
  • The MHPSS Manager will lead the process in the development, implementation, and coordination of all MHPSS activities and provide coaching and mentoring to MHPSS Psychologists.

Tasks & Responsibilities

  • Coordinate and ensure that mental health activities with patients and children are performed with regular follow-ups, and ensure that the mental health team remains calm and neutral
  • Identify the mental health support needs in the target population and participate in defining, planning, organising, and updating the appropriate ALIMA mental health activities
  • Map and update the details of existing mental health services, with other actors.
  • Ensure, collaboration with the entire medical department for the identification of MHPSS clients.
  • Ensure the implementation of all ALIMA standard mental health protocols and procedures materials.
  • Manage, train, and supervise the mental health team through activities such as defining job descriptions, capacity-building,
  • Compile all MHPSS data, analyze and submit to the medical referent, on a weekly and monthly basis. (SITREPS)
  • Collect key client data and prepare progress reports made, together with observations, challenges faced, and lessons learned.
  • Identify knowledge gaps and give updates for training accordingly.
  • Effective supervision and management of the MHPSS team
  • Participates in external meetings and reports relevant information
  • Ensuring an appropriate MHPSS approach in the program aligned with the IASC MHPSS guidelines for emergencies and humanitarian settings.
  • Leading the development process of referral pathways
  • Comply with all policies and protocols of the ALIMA agency
  • Other duties as assigned.
  • This job description is not exhaustive and may be modified as the assignment evolves

Academic Qualifications

  • Master's Degree or equivalent in, Mental Health, Psychology or related fields or a combination of bachelor’s degree
  • BA / BSc / HND  in relevant field with significant work experience (3 years+) in the mentioned fields.

Experience and Skills:

  • Minimum of 3-5 years of specialized experience in community-based psychosocial support interventions particularly as it relates to social norms change.
  • Experience with medical international NGO, an asset
  • Experience in a similar position for at least 2 years.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of IASC guidelines on MHPSS in emergency settings
  • Demonstrated experience in counseling skills and clinical supervision of lay counselors
  • Track record of developing technical curriculum and materials for delivery of MHPSS programming/activities in low-resource setting
  • Team management and supervision skills
  • Perfect knowledge of MS Office packages, especially Excel & Word

Behavioral Skills:

  • Strong interpersonal skills, and teamwork.
  • Strong communication skills
  • Ability to work on own initiative and adaptable to changing needs and situations
  • Flexible, patient, and adaptable to a changing environment.
  • Ability to work under pressure with numerous deadlines.

Method of Application

  • Interested and qualified candidates should send their CVs to: [email protected] using the Job Title as the subject of the mail.

Applications should be in English and you will need to upload:

  • An updated CV with contact details.
  • A one-page cover letter indicating why you are interested in this position and how your qualifications align specifically with the competencies required for the role.  

Important remarks:

  • Applications will be processed in the order of arrival and we reserve the right to close the offer before the term initially indicated if a good application is successful.  
  • Only successful applicants will be called for an interview.
  • No monetary transactions, neither demands of favors in kind, nor other types of favoritism will be tolerated in the recruitment process.
  • Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.