The Africa Psychosocial Support Institute (APSSI) is a subsidiary of REPSSI. APSSI fosters professionalism and excellence in Mental Health and Psychosocial care and support (MHPSS). The Institute was initiated in 2016 as part of a broader response to the need for standardised PSS definitions and terms, quality research and data on PSS, formalised PSS capacity development, excellent PSS resources and MHPSS thought leadership in Africa.

APSSI consists of two arms; the first will develop and deliver innovative and accredited PSS skills development programmes and qualifications, lead research in mental and psychosocial wellbeing in Africa, stimulate thought leadership in child and adolescent mental health and psychosocial support, develop PSS resources and provide an accreditation service for PSS organizations, programmes and professionals. In this regard, APSSI will coordinate with higher academic institutions in the continent. The second arm will raise funds through developing, marketing and providing a range of consultancy services. The Director of APSSI provides strategic leadership to both arms of the Institute.

To be based in Randburg, Johannesburg, the APSSI Director will attract income from a variety of sources of a sufficient level that the Institute will become self-sustaining, and provide an income for REPSSI, after the initial two-year period. The Director will report directly to the REPSSI CEO and APSSI Board of Directors and have direct line-management responsibility for the following functions:

Academic programmes
Marketing and Consultancy services
Product development
Corporate affairs

Minimum Qualifications and Experience:

Masters degree in Social Sciences, Education or Management or relevant field
3 years’ senior management experience, including sales and service functions
Strategic leadership
Experienced team leader research and publications
Proven ability to secure significant funding

Deadline for applications is the 22nd of March 2019, click here to apply or download the full TOR. For more information contact: hradmin@repssi.org

About the Award

In East and Southern Africa, 35% of women are married before age 18. Globally, over 650 million women alive today were married as children. Child marriage is rooted in gender inequality and is exacerbated by poverty, insecurity and conflict.

Launched in 2018, RIATT-ESA in partnership with the the African Union and with support from Media Monitoring Africa, launched an award for journalists reporting on Child Marriage. The award was developed in support the African Union Campaign to End Child Marriage Campaign, in an effort to enhance the promotion and protection of the rights of girls and women in Africa. The primary objective of the Award is to promote reporting of child marriage issues; hence raising public awareness, understanding and galvanizing action against child marriage.

The first awards were handed out in 2019 during the during the 3rd STC & SDLE of the African Union.