Clinical Psychologist for Children and their Caregivers - Tripoli

Job Description

Founded in 1933, the International Rescue Committee (www.theIRC.org) is a world leader in relief, rehabilitation, and post-conflict development services for those uprooted or affected by violent conflict and oppression. The IRC is currently working around the world, addressing the immediate and life saving needs of conflict affected people and the reconstruction needs of post-conflict societies. The IRC has been working in Lebanon since 2012 to provide support to refugees and vulnerable host community members.

In January 2014 as part of IRC child protection programs, the IRC began implementing a specialized project which serves at risk and vulnerable working children in child labour, including in its worst forms (street, mechanics, and construction). Service provisions include providing psychosocial support and case management services for street and working children in Mount Lebanon, Tripoli, Akkar and Bekaa.

Assessments, conducted by the IRC in March and April 2020, demonstrate that caregivers and children are under extreme levels of distress as a result of the economic and social impact of COVID-19, when asked about the three main behaviors and emotions children are currently exhibiting caregivers responded first worry, second fear and third anger. Most of the caregivers responded that their children are demonstrating negative emotions, and others expressed that they were experiencing anxiety. COVID-19 and the current situation in the country has filtrated numerous aspects of the lives of Syrian refugees, and other vulnerable groups such as the Palestinian and stateless communities which increases the likelihood of families adopting negative coping mechanisms.

Families are forced to restrict their movements, and remain in close quarters on a daily basis, with diminished access to resources.

The Consultant, a clinical psychologist for children and their caregivers, will support in providing clinical supervision of high-risk cases mainly under the case management component or their caregivers as needed and indicated by the Quality and Implementation Manager or the Case management officer. The psychologist will conduct face-to-face, one-on-one, and group sessions for children exposed to high risks, vulnerabilities, and distress. In addition, the consultant will support case workers through coaching sessions to build their capacity on dealing with children with challenging behaviors when/if needed.

Deliverables:

- Conduct one on one and group sessions for children exposed to high risks vulnerabilities remotely, through home visits, or within the Case management room in the municipalities or at the IRC’s partner premises. - Provide structured clinical assessments and clear case formulation: Assess the needs of the beneficiaries on the cognitive, behavioral, and emotional levels. - Use standardized assessment tools. - Develop a consistent and acceptable treatment plan with clear objectives in relevance to the need assessment with a logical and consistent timeframe that includes estimated dates for case evaluation, closure, and post-support check-up. - Monitor and evaluate the psychological progress of the patient. - Maintain irreproachable levels of confidentiality and privacy. - Complete intake assessments, evaluations, treatment recommendations, reviews, follow-up, and other documentation for each consultation and as necessary in an organized and efficient manner. - Ensure that emergency cases are properly managed, referred to, and followed. - Submit reports and updates on the cases to the manager of the program, the Case management officer, and the designated case worker after every session or field visit conducted including feedback, concerns, and recommendations for the case of every child.

Timeframe, and Schedule:

- Delivery of specialized MHPSS consultations per child or caregiver - Target: Maximum of 41 days till the end of May 2023 based on the need with a minimum of 5 consultations per day and ensure that the minimum consultation time is at least 45 minutes. - Timeframe: Between 15 January 2023 to 29 May 2023 - Delivery of one report/month on the child’s situation including feedback, concerns, and recommendations for each case - Target: 1 report/month of service delivery. - Timeframe: Reports should be submitted end of each month starting April 2023 and ending 31 December 2023.

Payment Mode:

Payments will be issued based on the number of days and sessions conducted during the month having one payment for each month covering the days completed during the respective month.

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to: Child Protection Quality and Implementation Manager and coordinates with the Case management officer

Position directly supervises: N/A

Other Internal and/or external contacts: MHPSS Technical Advisor

Qualifications

Education:

- The qualified candidate must have a MA in clinical psychology. - A completed clinical training/practicum in a university center consisting of at least 100 hours of training under supervision and 300 hours of applied training. - Having: - Lebanese colloquium certificate for clinical psychologists. - License to practice the clinical psychology profession from the Ministry of Public Health. - N.B: A letter of recommendation from a senior clinical psychologist supervisor (holder of a doctorate and/or a scholar) and membership in one of the registered psychological associations of Lebanon is preferable.

Work Experience:

- Minimum of 7 years of professional experience in MHPSS. - Skilled and experienced in evidence-based approaches to mental health (e.g., IPT, CBT, TF-CBT, EMDR). - Previous experience training MHPSS staff and supervising implementation is strongly preferred. - Experience supporting children at a high-risk level. - Knowledge of and experiences in using established inter-agency standards and guidelines in MHPSS and CP, such as the IASC Guidelines on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings, Setting the Standard – A Common Approach to Child Protection for International NGOs, and Minimum Standards for Child Protection In Humanitarian Action.

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

- Ability to maintain confidentiality, respect, non-discrimination, and safety of beneficiaries always. - Excellent communication. - Ability to developing a consistent and acceptable improvement plan with clear objectives. - Ability to recognize mental health priority conditions as per the mhGAP. - Skilled in at least in one evidenced-based psychotherapy approach. - Using different relaxation and stress management techniques. - Ability to develop rapport with the patient. - Interviewing skills. - Excellent interpersonal and problem-solving skills, creativity, and flexibility. - Experience providing clinical supervision or leading trainings is a plus. - Ability to work autonomously, take initiative and responsibly escalate issues. - Excellent coaching skills, including the capacity to provide structured feedback. - Ability to work in a multidisciplinary team. - Demonstrated cultural sensitivity, non-discrimination, and readiness to work with men, women, and girls and boys from diverse backgrounds, particularly the most marginalized segments of the community. - Ability to adhere to ethical considerations and principles regarding work with vulnerable populations. - Candidate must be skilled in: - Developing person-centered, goal and strength focused, recovery-oriented care plan. - Mental health in complex emergencies (IASC guidelines, Psychological First Aid, mhGAP…). - Biopsychosocial model in mental health. - Community-based approach in mental health. - Human rights-based approach in mental health. - Knowledge about the predictable stresses of humanitarian aid work and the policies and practices needed to mitigate them. - Good digital literacy and knowledge in Microsoft Office and internet use.

Language Skills:

Ability to fluently communicate, read, and write in Arabic and English.

Working Environment:

The Consultant Clinical Psychologist for children and caregivers will not have dedicated office space at IRC but will have access to IRC premises for the purpose of meeting with relevant supervisees, when and as needed. It is preferable if the selected candidate has a dedicated work smartphone and number to be able to support children and their caregivers remotely (through WhatsApp calls or phone calls). The selected candidate must abide by the guidelines on delivering telepsychology interventions annexed to this ToR (Annex 1).

Consultant must be willing to travel to Tripoli and Minnieh to conduct home visits when and as needed.