MHPSS specialist

[Erbil,Iraq ]

Job Purpose

The mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) specialist will be responsible for implementing and managing the technical components of a comprehensive MHPSS project. Cordaid’ approach to mental health is heavily based on training and developing the capacity of local partners and national DOH 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 managers and the Protection Officer and those who are tasked to oversee MHPSS related activities including training and supervising general health care providers in mental health using MH-GAP, PM+ Intervention Guidelines.

Main Responsibilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function with or without reasonable accommodation. The tasks listed are representative of the nature and level of work assigned and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

• 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 returning or returned IDP 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 WH, PM+,MH-GAP Intervention Guidelines in coordination with project MoH- DoHs MHPSS
• 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
• 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 Cordaid 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 Cordaid and global MHPSS standards and guidelines and closely coordinate with COE and COP at the GO for development and review of training materials and reports.
• Represent Cordaid in MHPSS related meetings and coordination groups.

   

  Code of Conduct

  It is our shared responsibility and obligation to prevent matters involving Sexual Exploitation & Abuse, Trafficking in Persons, Child Safeguarding, and any suggested violation to Cordaid’s Code of Conduct, which may involve Conflicts of Interest, Corruption or Harassment. If you see, hear, or are made aware of any suggested activities then you have an obligation to report.

  • The qualified candidate will be a mental health professional (psychologist, clinical social worker, psychiatrist, or psychiatric nurse) with 5+ years’ experience working on MHPSS programs, preferably in humanitarian settings

  Experience

  • 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

Competency

• An excellent command of verbal and written English

Equal Opportunities

Cordaid 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.

 

RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the supervision of the Programme Manager, you will provide strategic vision and direction to develop the MHPSS program in Cordaid ME Office in Erbil. This includes fundraising initiatives, managing the technical side of project development cycle of all projects under the Health and Protection team, mentoring and capacity building of staff, and providing innovative new solutions to response to the MH and other needs across the Programme.

Main responsibilities will be:

• To contribute to the country strategy and positioning of the MHPSS sector, as well as the Heath and Protection Programme’s active involvement in the national sectoral coordination and technical working groups
• To support identification of needs and formulation of project proposals
• To support implementation of MHPSS projects and activities throughout the entirety of the project management cycle
• To promote capitalization, innovation, technology, and research in the MHPSS Program.

You hold a clinical psychology master’s degree. You have at least two years of field/practice experience with NGOs. You demonstrate good skills on supervision also with remote management and capacity building / system strengthening. You have excellent skills in representation, writing proposals. You demonstrate an excellent diplomacy, communication, and organizational.

Fluency in English written/spoken is compulsory.

Applications including a motivation letter and extensive CV in English, with the contact details of three professional references to [email protected], before the deadline which is 11-05-2021