Mental Health and psychosocial support in emergencies

Contract

This is a UNV National Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Specialist contracts.

WHO is a specialized agency of the United Nations that was established in July 1946 and whose objective is the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health. WHO’s primary role is to direct and coordinate international health within the United Nations system. WHO’s main areas of work are health systems; health through the life-course; noncommunicable and communicable diseases; preparedness, surveillance and response; and corporate services.

The incumbent under direct supervision of the regional advisor for mental health and substance use consultant at the Regional office EMR will engage and coordinate with the Ministry of Health (MOH), Directorates of Health (DOHs), UN/NGO partners and national focal points for MHPSS to:

• Provide technical guidance to develop, implement and monitor the MHPSS action plans for catering to the needs of population across the response and recovery phases; • Promote a system-based approach to integrate MHPSS in health and related social sectors in coordination with relevant agencies and entities; • Provide technical support for the capacity enhancement initiatives in coordination with the national and international stakeholders involved in the current humanitarian response to develop a multi-layered MHPSS response; • Facilitate development of community-based Mental Health services; • Coordinate with all stakeholders to enhance the capacity of PHC personnel to deliver a basic package of mental health care based on WHO Mental Health Gap Action Programme - Intervention Guide (mhGAP-HIG) as part of the PHC package of care; • Coordinate and technically support the development of secondary level psychiatric outpatient /inpatient services to provide referral and Supervisory support for PHC personnel; • Contribute to the development of and strengthening of specialist level psychiatric services; • Participate with all stakeholders and partners to develop IEC materials and raise awareness on mental and psychosocial needs to counter stigma and discrimination; Co-develop, in coordination with national stakeholders, surveillance and monitoring systems; • Provide technical advice to partner civil society organizations and other entities, as appropriate, on the issues related to instituting a robust MHPSS program; • Assist with Mobilization of adequate and sustained resources for the development and implementation of MHPSS activities and programmes; • Provide programmatic support to the mental health and substance abuse programme at the country office; • Written periodic updates on MHPSS services, shared with relevant sectors and management; • Draft and review technical documents and information products as appropriate.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to:- Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day)- Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country- Provide annual and end of assignment reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities using UNV’s Volunteer Reporting Application- Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.- Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers- Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

• Professionalism • Integrity • Teamwork and respect for diversity • Commitment to continuous learning • Planning and organizing • Communication • Flexibility • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards WHO’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

mental health and psycho-social programming. • Public health qualification will be an added plus; • Experience working in the Humanitarian context and emergencies; • Experience in capacity building and in strengthening various duty bearers’ understanding of and response to mental health and Psychosocial Support; • Experience working on the inclusion of hard to reach groups of children is a plus; • Good knowledge of and experience in using established inter-agency standards and guidelines in MHPSS; • Ability to communicate clearly and sensitively in written and spoken English; • Public health qualification will be an added plus; • Knowledge of Ukranian and/or Russian is desirable; • Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills; • Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing; • Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development; • Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel; • Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment; • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines.

Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe. It borders Bulgaria to the south, Ukraine to the north, Hungary to the west, Serbia to the southwest, Moldova to the east and the Black Sea to the southeast. It has a predominantly temperate-continental climate, and an area of 238,397 km2 (92,046 sq mi), with a population of around 19 million. Romania is the twelfth-largest country in Europe, and the sixth-most populous member state of the European Union. Its capital and largest city is Bucharest, and other major urban areas include Iași, Cluj-Napoca, Timișoara, Constanța, Craiova, Brașov, and Galați.

UN Volunteer entitlements and allowances: The purpose of the allowances and entitlements paid to UN Volunteers is to enable UN Volunteers to sustain a secure standard of living at the duty stations in line with United Nations standards without incurring personal costs. The allowances are in no way to be understood as compensation, reward, or salary in exchange for the UN Volunteer’s service. Contingent on specific eligibility criteria, location of the volunteer assignment and contractual type and category, the payment of allowances will begin from the date of Commencement of Service For more information on entitlements please read the Condition of Service (https://explore.unv.org/cos) and use the entitlement calculator (https://app.unv.org/calculator) for the most up to date information