Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Consultant

Job Description

Background of the project

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, IRC offers life-saving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in more than 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, IRC restores safety, dignity, and hope to millions uprooted by conflict or disaster. IRC leads the way from harm to home.

In 2007, the IRC began providing humanitarian assistance to vulnerable and crisis-affected people in Jordan in response to an influx of Iraqi refugees and the strain on host communities. Following the eruption of the Syrian war in 2011, hundreds of thousands of refugees crossed into Jordan.

· Scope of work

The IRC has provided essential Reproductive Health services to Syrian refugees in the Azraq camp through its health program since October 2017, funded by UNFAP. Mental health is a critical aspect of agency for those affected by conflict and disaster; it amplifies during the prenatal period, characterized by a high risk of depression, anxiety, and somatic disorders. In collaboration with the International Medical Corps (IMC), the IRC will build the capacity of SHR services provided to integrate and improve access to Mental Health (MH) services for women supported with SRH services, especially in the perinatal phase. The Mental Health and Psychological Support (MHPSS) Specialist will work with the deputy health manager to design and provide non-specialist MHPSS training for the SRH team in the Azraq camp.

Deliverables:

· Prepare a roadmap and suggest action points on strengthening the integration of MHPSS through the SRH service delivery process in IRC and IMC clinics in camp

· Prepare a non-specialist MHPSS material that includes:

- an overview of the Mental Health Gap Action Program Intervention Guide (mhGAP-IG) for mental, neurological, and substance use (MNS) disorders in non-specialist health settings.

- Enhancing deep knowledge and skills in maternal mental health topics and interventions for promoting the well-being of SRH services users and their families through pregnancy and post-partum journey

- How to identify signs of mental health issues among SRH services users while providing SRH services in the camp.

- An overview of screening tools to identify service users with MH conditions and initiate safe referrals. (Or any other suggested by Ahmad)

- Enhanced Screening tools and the work integration package for midwives/nurses in sensitive and confidential non-specialized MHPSS counselling in primary health care settings – IRC clinic.

· Provide two non-specialist MHPSS training sessions to the health team.

· Set a smooth and confidential referral pathway between SRH and MHPSS services in the camp.

· Hand off all the prepared materials to the IRC.

Qualifications

Requirements:

1. Excellent verbal and written English and Arabic skills (fluent) necessary

2. Experience working in Jordan (or in the Middle East); experience in the region working with underserved or displaced populations is a plus

3. Experience providing direct mental health service provider or protection and safeguarding services to individuals or communities.

4. Degree in relevant mental health field (clinical psychologist, , psychiatrist, psychiatric Nursing); advanced degrees is an asset

5. 4-5 years of professional experience in various field areas like mental health research, mental health consultancy and capacity building and service provision, including at least 2 years’ experience in setting up and/or providing oversight to mental health and psychosocial programs in humanitarian and low-resource settings

6. Experience working on sensitive issues with vulnerable populations and knowledge of relevant ethical guidelines and procedures, specific experience working with refugee populations a plus.

7. Specific experience and knowledge of integrating MHPSS and SRH services in Middle Eastern contexts preferred and will be prioritized.