SOS Children’s Villages Project Officer (Mental Health) MHU Jobs in Uganda

SOS Children’s Villages Project Officer (Mental Health) MHU Jobs in Uganda

Job Title: Project Officer (Mental Health), MHU - (02 positions)

Reporting to: Project Coordinator, SOS and MHU Program Manager

Responsible for: Champions and Mentor Champions in the project locations

Work station: Kampala/Wakiso (01) and Gulu (01).

Note: The applicants for this position
must indicate the specific work station, in their motivation letter

Contract Type: Full Time, Two - Year Term (with a possibility for a 1 – year extension)

Working hours: 8:30am- 5:00pm (Monday - Friday)

Salary: Commensurate with experience, knowledge and skills

Start date: January 2023

Job Purpose

The Project Officer will be responsible for the overall local implementation of project activities related to mental health awareness creation and facilitating access to care services, in the respective locations and will therefore carry the operational responsibilities towards project results.

S/he will support and supervise the mental health ‘Champions’ (ages 13-19 years) in 5 selected schools and Mentor Champions (ages 18-30 years) based in communities.

S/he will manage all relationships between the
project and all local stakeholders.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

a. Project Implementation

Provide day-to-day mentoring support and supervise both the quality of work and well-being
of both Champions in schools and Mentor Champions in the communities by making regular visits to schools and organizing monthly review meetings

Support the identification and recruitment of 40 Champions (8 per school) and 20 Mentor
Champions (4 per school) with personal experience of mental health problems who are motivated be trained and supported to deliver local anti-stigma campaigning activities and provide psychological first aid support youth struggling with mental health problems

Support students to identify mental health awareness avenues/platforms, develop relevant
Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials and deliver agreed activities
related to the same

Support the youth to increase mental health awareness both in schools and in the
communities, during selected occasions and through school-based clubs

In all youth-led activities, ensure that the youth are trained in budgeting and have access to
the appropriate budgets needed

Facilitate the provision of accurate information to all individuals, presenting all possible alternatives within the spectrum of care and allow beneficiaries to make informed choices

Identify and document risks to young people with mental health challenges and propose
strategies to mitigate them

Ensure project services are offered in a professional and ethical manner, with utmost respect for the beneficiaries

Ensure the functionality of the district referral system by both the Champions and Mentor
Champions so that all individuals who need specialized care and support can access it

Manage relations between the project and the supported schools and ensure that the project
teams adhere to the best ethical standards

Manage relations with parents/caregivers of affected students and conduct home visits, when
needed

Manage relations between the project and District Local Governments and maintain useful
linkages and dialogue with all other relevant stakeholders to ensure collaboration, synergy,
sharing of experiences and that the district delivers a coordinated response for mental health

b. Monitoring and Evaluation

Organize and manage review and reflection and cross-learning events, as well as advocacy
meetings foreseen at the district level

Participate in organizing and facilitating project reviews with project key stakeholders

Coordinate district based sharing and learning, and document the best practices and success stories

Undertake surveillance

and update MHU and other relevant actors on emerging issues around
mental health in the district.

c. Reporting, Resource Management and Documentation

Prepare and submit timely monthly work plans and reports

Support preparation and dissemination of information related to mental health issues,
relevant to the project components

Person Specifications

The applicant should hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Development Studies, Gender and Development
Studies (GAD), Social Work and Social Administration, Social Sciences, Community Psychology and or any other related studies with a minimum of 3 years relevant working experience in a Non Government Organization.

A post graduate counselling and guidance qualification will be an added advantage.

Essential Criteria

Previous or relevant experience of project management including delivering projects on time
and to budget

Experience of organizing and delivering community engagement activities and events

Experience of working in partnerships, with demonstrable skills of collaborative working, and
relationship management and the ability to identify and rapidly resolve barriers, difficulties and conflicts

Ability to create and maintain a supportive environment at trainings and events and have
knowledge and experience of recognizing and responding to personal well-being issues

Good empathy, perception and listening skill

Ability to make effective use of available resources and materials

Excellent problem solving skills and ability to identify and address problems

Experience of report writing, especially communicating program results

Experience of multi-tasking, prioritizing competing work and working within deadlines

Ability to ride a motor-cycle, with a valid permit.

Desirable Criteria

Knowledge and understanding of mental health issues in Uganda

Direct or indirect experience of mental health problems and openness to being a visible
ambassador for people with mental health issues, using personal experiences as appropriate
to do so

Experience of working at community level with people who have experienced mental health
problems, to challenge stigma and discrimination

Experience of supporting youth-led projects and ensuring youth participation

Experience of program monitoring and evaluation

Good level of English and an ability to communicate in the local language

Good IT Skills with familiarity with key Microsoft Office Programs.

How to Apply

Interested individuals should send a motivation letter and CV as one PDF document/file (of
maximum 8 pages for the Project Coordinator and 6 pages for all other positions), not later than
4:00pm on Friday 18th November 2022 via email to jobs@sosuganda.org and copy to mhu@mentalhealthuganda.org - subject line is the job title e.g. “Project Coordinator”.

Do not send academic documents – heavy files containing academic documents or submitted as images, or any other that do not adhere to these instructions and or late applications, will not be considered.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. The motivation letter must also include the details of 2 suitable referees who can comment on the candidate’s ability.

For more information and job application details, see: SOS Children’s Villages Project Officer (Mental Health) MHU Jobs in Uganda

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