Job Description
Job Title: Specialist, MHPSS, LN
Location: Yemen Aden - Aden, YE (Primary)
Yemen Office: Aden
Category: Mental Health and Psychosocial Support
(MHPSS)
Date Needed By: 12/1/2024
Program Description (Background)
International Medical Corps is a global, humanitarian,
nonprofit organization dedicated to saving lives and relieving suffering
through health care training and relief and development programs. Established
in 1984 by volunteer doctors and nurses, International Medical Corps is a
private, voluntary, nonpolitical, nonsectarian organization. Its mission is to
improve the quality of life through health interventions and related activities
that build local capacity in underserved communities worldwide. By offering
training and health care to local populations and medical assistance to people
at highest risk, and with the flexibility to respond rapidly to emergency
situations, International Medical Corps rehabilitates devastated health care
systems and helps bring them back to self-reliance.
Job Description
JOB SUMMARY: The mental health and psychosocial
support (MHPSS) specialist will be responsible for implementing and managing
the technical components of a comprehensive MHPSS project. International
Medical Corps' approach to mental health is heavily based on training and
developing the capacity of local partners and national staff; the successful
candidate should therefore have experience in training, on the job supervision
and mentoring, coordination and in building referral links to other formal
service providers and informal community supports. The mental health specialist
will train, supervise, coordinate and oversee a national team of mental health
officers and a team of community outreach volunteers who will engage in
outreach, follow-up and basic mental health and psychosocial support. The MHPSS
specialist will closely work and coordinate with the project mental health and
psychosocial coordinator (psychiatrist) who is tasked to oversee all MHPSS
related activities including training and supervising general health care
providers in mental health using mhGAP Intervention Guidelines
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able
to perform each essential function with or without reasonable accommodation:
MAIN TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Actively
lead or participate in coordination mechanisms in the area (e.g. Health,
general coordination, potential MHPSS coordination group) and advocate for
principles of IASC MHPSS guidelines.
- Identify
and train local mental health officers and refugee staff/volunteers in
community outreach, mental health case management, follow-up and mental
health promotion
- Provide
training in the identification and non-pharmacological management of
priority mental health condition to general health staff in line with WHO
mhGAP Intervention Guidelines in coordination with project MHPSS
coordinator (psychiatrist)
- Engage
trained staff and volunteers in on the job mentoring and supervision
- Provide
mental health and psychosocial support services along with health staff as
needed
- Ensure
completion and analysis of pre post knowledge tests and on the job
supervision checklists.
- Support
collection and reporting of mental health project data including HMIS
reporting and patient outcomes (e.g. functioning, satisfaction with
services)
- Provide
training in other MHPSS topics as appropriate, depending on identified
needs (e.g. key aspects of psychological first aid and relevant aspects of
IASC guidelines) to IMC and staff from other agencies
- Implement
social and recreational activities (e.g. youth friendly activities)
- Assist
with the development of new proposals
- Assist
with hiring of national staff as needed
- Implement
the project in line with IMC and global MHPSS standards and guidelines and
closely coordinate with IMC's Technical Unit Global Mental Health Advisor
for development and review of training materials and reports.
- Represent
IMC in MHPSS related meetings and coordination groups
Perform other duties as assigned. The duties and
responsibilities listed in this document are representative of the nature and
level of work assigned and not necessarily all inclusive.
Job Requirements
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Typically
a 4-year University degree in related area. Equivalent combination of
relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate
- The
qualified candidate will be a mental health professional (psychologist,
clinical social worker, psychiatrist, or psychiatric nurse)
- Typically,
5+ years' experience working on MHPSS programs, preferably in humanitarian
settings
- Training
and clinical supervision practice and experience required
- Knowledgeable
in and experience following IASC Guidelines on MHPSS in Emergencies and
international best practices on the integration of MHPSS into primary
health care settings
- Demonstrable
technical expertise in the assessment, design, and delivery of responses
to pre-existing and emergency-induced MHPSS needs
- Training
experience required; capacity and proven track record in national staff
and partner training and capacity-building
- Strong
organizational and supervisory skills
- Honest,
hardworking and self-motivated
- Strong
interpersonal skills and ability to work within different cultural
environments
- Strong
written and communication skills
- Ability
to work within a team structure or independently, flexible, and can cope
with stressful workload
- An
excellent command of verbal and written English
Additional Technical or Language Requirements
International Medical Corps (IMC) delivers a comprehensive
package of high-quality primary health care, reproductive health, maternal and
newborn care, gender-based violence (GBV), and child protection (CP) services
to children, women, and men affected by the protracted armed conflict in Yemen.
The primary objective is to strengthen the capacity of local service providers,
including the Ministry of Public Health and Population (MoPHP) and national
implementing partners, and to reinforce community engagement to facilitate
early recovery and ownership, thereby sustaining the impact of the
intervention. Under the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS)
intervention, IMC provides prevention and response services across the three
layers of the MHPSS intervention pyramid, with a focus on community and family
support (layer 2) and focused non-specialized support (layer 3). The MHPSS
specialist is expected to fulfill the following areas: (1) Provide training and
capacity building on Psychological First Aid (PFA), basic counseling skills,
focused non-specialized interventions such as Problem Management Plus (PM+),
Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), mindfulness techniques, facilitating group
psychosocial support (PSS) structured curriculums and awareness-raising
activities for social and health workers. (2) Provide supervision, mentorship,
and support to social and health workers to ensure high-quality service
provision. (3) Update and maintain active referral pathways protocols to ensure
seamless access to MHPSS services. (4) Promote the integration of MHPSS
principles and services across its sectors, including Protection, Nutrition,
and Health. (5) Actively participate in MHPSS coordination groups to ensure a
cohesive and effective response. IMC is seeking a qualified MHPSS Specialist
with a graduate degree in Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, or a related
field. Previous experience in providing WHO-guided individual interventions,
such as PM+, Self-Help, IPT, and/or group interventions like Women Rise and
Thinking Healthy Curriculum, is highly desirable. Please note, for Yemen-based
roles, we are only able to accept applications from candidates who are eligible
to work in Yemen. Since the position is a national role, we are unable to
progress applications that would require sponsorship. International Medical
Corps never asks job applicants for a fee, payment, or other monetary
transaction. If you are asked for money in connection with this recruitment,
please report to International Medical Corps at the website provided at the end
of this document. Website for reporting misconduct:
www.InternationalMedicalCorps.ethicspoint.com. Please do not submit your CV or
application to this website, it will not be considered for review.
Code of Conduct
As applicable to this position, an individual must promote
and encourage a culture of compliance and ethics throughout the organization
and maintain a clear understanding of International Medical Corps’ and donor
compliance and ethics standards and adheres to those standards. Staff are also
responsible for preventing violations to our Code of Conduct and Ethics, which
may involve Conflicts of Interest, Fraud, Corruption or Harassment. If you see,
hear or are made aware of any violations to the Code of Conduct and Ethics or
Safeguarding Policy, you have an obligation to report. If this is a supervisory
position, one must set an example of ethical behavior through one’s own conduct
and oversight of the work of others; ensure that those who report to you have
sufficient knowledge and resources to follow the standards outlined in the Code
of Conduct & Ethics; monitor compliance of the people you supervise;
enforce the Code of Conduct & Ethics and International Medical Corps’
policies, including the Safeguarding Policy and the Protection from Harassment,
Bullying and Sexual Misconduct in the Workplace Policy, consistently and
fairly; support employees who in good faith raise questions or concerns.
Safeguarding
It is all staff shared responsibility and obligation to
safeguard and protect populations with whom we work, including adults who may
be particularly vulnerable and children. This includes safeguarding from the
following conduct by our staff or partners: sexual exploitation and abuse;
exploitation, neglect, or abuse of children, adults at risk, and any form of
trafficking in persons.
Equal Opportunities
International Medical Corps is proud to provide equal
employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants without
regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national or ethnic
origin, age, disability or status as a veteran.
How to Apply
To apply:
https://internationalmedicalcorps.hua.hrsmart.com/hr/ats/Posting/view/2863