Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Technical Officer

Contract

This is a No grade contract. More about No grade contracts.

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1. Introduction

The Tropical Cyclone Freddy#2 made landfall on 11 March, through the locality of Macuze, district of Namacurra, Zambezia province, with maximum winds of 148 km/h and gusts up to 213 km/h.

Six provinces in total, Zambezia, Tete, Sofala, Manica, Nampula and Niassa provinces were affected. Among these: Zambezia, Tete, Sofala and Manica were doubly affected as they were affected during Freddy #1.

Freddy#2 has affected over 703,096 people (152,771 families), caused 155 deaths, and injured 501 people, according to data released by the Government. The major impacts of this cyclone were displacement, death of people, destruction of infrastructures and disruption of services (water supply, roads, schools, health services, power lines) and the massive outbreak of cholera that the province is registering..

WHO is supporting SPS and DPS to support responding to the health consequences of cyclone also coordinating the health partners work. As part of this WHO will going to strengthen its workforce in the ground (Zambezia)

Purpose

The incumbent will coordinate the implementation of mental health and psychosocial support related activities in the WHO health operation of Zambezia and its environs.

2. Descriptions of duties

• Engage and coordinate with the international and national stakeholders (including UN/NGO and civil society organizations) to:
• Facilitate and provide technical assistance in the assessment of mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) needs, resources and capacities.
• Support the development of a mental health service organization plan, with initial focus on:
• Promote a system based approach to integrate MHPSS in health and related social sectors, in coordination with relevant agencies and entities.
• Establish and lead Mental Health Working Group under the health cluster based on the interagency cluster approach for ensuring a coordinated response. Provide technical support to the Ministry of Health and other national entities/ institutions in building capacity in the MHPSS response at national level and sub-National.

• Provide technical advice to partner civil society organizations and other entities, as appropriate, on the issues related to instituting a robust MHPSS programme.

• Facilitate the development of community-based mental health services.

• Provide technical guidance to develop, implement and monitor the integration of mental health in the primary health care.
• Draft and revise technical documents, briefing notes, meeting reports, information products and content, as appropriate.
• Oversee the overall timeliness and quality of all programme deliverables, the finalization of operational transactions in accordance with the MPSS operational workplan, assure compliance with WHO rules and regulations, and efficiently deliver related services/products within the country.
• Perform any other related incident-specific duties, as required by the functional supervisor.

3. Recruitment Profile

Competencies: Generic

· Creating an empowering and motivating environment

· Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences

· Ensuring the effective use of resources

· Teamwork.

· Communication.

Functional Knowledge and Skills

Expert knowledge of:

· International policy frameworks (WHO, Sphere, IASC) for reduction of public health challenges related to mental health in emergency settings.

· Implementation tools (e.g.,

o WHO/United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) MHPSS assessment toolkit,

o Psychological first aid field guide,

o mhGAP Humanitarian Intervention Guide,

o Mental health component of Interagency Emergency Health Kit (IEHK),

o “Building Back Better” casebook) for reduction of public health problems related to mental health in (post-) emergency settings.

Demonstrated ability to:

· Plan and conduct capacity-building activities in MHPSS.

· Work effectively in an emergency and humanitarian response context, under constraints and meet deadlines.

· Collaborate on MHPSS across different sectors.

Education Qualifications

* Essential

Advanced university degree (Master’s level or above) in psychiatry, clinical, psychology, social work or allied sciences from an accredited/recognized institute.

Desirable

Post-graduate qualification or specialized training in

· public health

· clinical psychology or psychiatry and/or

· MHPSS in emergency and humanitarian crises.

Experience

* Essential

At least three years of relevant experience, at the national levels, in the assessment, development and implementation of policies, strategies and action plans for MHPSS in the context of emergencies. Experience in capacity building, developing and promoting collaborative partnerships.

Desirable

· Experience of managing national mental health programme(s) including experience with implementing WHO’s mental health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP).

· Training in delivering bio-psychosocial interventions for MNS disorders.

· Relevant work experience in WHO, other UN agencies, relevant nongovernmental, health cluster partners or recognized humanitarian organizations.

Other Skills

• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Effective negotiation, facilitation and consensus building skills
• Ability to work under pressure while producing results.
• Ability to “think out of the box” and to make innovative proposals related to risk communication.
• Discretion and diplomacy.
• Knowledge or understanding of WHO mandate and goals in the emergency and incident management context.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office software applications.

Languages:

• Portuguese: Excellent knowledge;
• English: Good knowledge;

Duty station: Maputo

Level: NOB step1

Duration: Five months with possibility of extension based on the performance and availability of funds.