Psychosocial Support Officer

About the role

The Psychosocial Support (PSS) Officer designs, executes, tracks and documents initiatives that promote mental well-being and resilience among vulnerable people affected by conflict, displacement or crisis. The role strengthens social inclusion and adaptive coping through direct psychosocial assistance, group and individual support, and timely referrals to service providers. It is a full-time position based in Maiduguri.

Key responsibilities

• Service delivery: assess the emotional, social and psychological needs of individuals and communities; run individual and group support sessions; coordinate recreational, educational and creative resilience-building activities; provide Psychological First Aid within established competencies and encourage healthy self-care and stress management.
• Support vulnerable groups such as children, women, the elderly, persons with disabilities and displaced persons.
• Community engagement: run mental health and stress management awareness campaigns, mobilize community participation, work with leaders, caregivers and educators to strengthen local support networks, and uphold inclusion, dignity and non-discrimination.
• Case management and referrals: identify people needing medical, protection or social intervention, make secure and confidential referrals to health facilities and professionals, and monitor follow-up; maintain professional boundaries and escalate safeguarding issues per protocol.
• Protection and safeguarding: follow safeguarding, child protection and confidentiality standards, use a survivor-centred approach, protect beneficiary records and report suspected exploitation or harassment.
• Collaboration: liaise with health staff, protection teams, case managers and partners, join coordination meetings and technical working groups, keep up-to-date databases of support services and help build the capacity of community volunteers and frontline staff.
• Monitoring and reporting: record activities, attendance, referrals and feedback, produce weekly, monthly or quarterly reports, evaluate the quality and impact of interventions and gather beneficiary insights while respecting privacy regulations.