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.