Mental Health & Psychosocial Technical Advisor (SPIR II)

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Employee Contract Type:

Local - Fixed Term Employee (Fixed Term)Job Description:

Job Purpose:

The SPIR II MHPSS Advisor will lead the process of refining appropriate group-based mental health and psychosocial support models in the SPIR II implementation context. She/he will also assess needs and develop/strengthen emergency-based MHPSS intervention activities to respond to operational areas affected by conflict and other shocks. Learning from the refinement and implementation period testing and studies will be incorporated into guidelines, training materials, and modules that are adapted to the needs and context of SPIR II operational areas. The SPIR II MHPSS Advisor will drive this process along with the associated training of SPIR II MHPSS staff, government counterparts, and other stakeholders. She/he will provide close supervision and monitoring of the implementation of these models, with careful attention provided for the identification, referral, and case management of severe mental health illnesses. She/he will also network and collaborate closely with other MHPSS researchers and program implementers both in Ethiopia and globally.

Major Responsibilities

Provide technical leadership (30%)

(Testing, adaptation/implementation of MHPSS models for SPIR II context)

• Lead and facilitate the process of refining existing models (IPT-G) and testing and implementing new models (Group PM+, other) especially after the Refine and Implement period.
• Network and liaise with MHPSS implementation both in other WV field offices and with other partners to capture and incorporate the latest learning from the adaptation and implementation of these models in similar contexts (e.g. Uganda).
• Assess needs and develop or adapt/implement MHPSS models to respond to conflict-related trauma, especially in the SPIR II Amhara operational areas.
• Work closely with SPIR II Learning partner, IFPRI, in the design and roll-out of planned pilot test and studies related to adapted MHPSS models (e.g. Group PM+).
• Participate in the development and implementation of group-based psychosocial programming

Capacity Building and Technical Support (30%)

• Develop and/or adapt MHPSS program model guidelines based on learning and experience from previous programming or R&I period pilot tests.
• Train and facilitate cascaded training for MHPSS program staff at Regional, Zonal/Woreda and Kebele levels.
• Orient and facilitate cascaded training and capacity building for GoE Ministry of Health counterparts at different administrative levels.
• Supervise Regional MHPSS staff and support the ongoing supervision of MHPSS Officers as they monitor and support the community-level facilitators (especially during initial phases of implementation)
• Support the identification and referral of severe cases of depression, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders (PTSD) or severe mental, neurological or substance use disorders to appropriate medical facilities.
• Ensure people in acute distress are assisted to alleviate their stress, by ensuring that staff are trained on PFA and feel confident to use it.

Referral case management (10%)

• Support the identification and referral of severe cases of depression, trauma or mental health illnesses to appropriate medical facilities.
• Build the capacity of SPIR II staff and partners, and ensure effective systems are in place for close follow-up and case management for this highly vulnerable group.
• Ensure care and safety of clients is being upheld and safety risks are adequately responded to and reported.

Knowledge Management (Collaboration and learning dissemination) (15%)

• Identify and network with other relevant MHPSS learning or research platforms to exchange ideas and learning from SPIR II research and experience.
• Document and share key MHPSS learning with other RFSAs, Ethiopia-based researchers and other stakeholders.
• Collaborate and exchange ideas and information with leaders in this field, including past collaborators at Johns Hopkins University and Colombia Teachers College.
• Continue partnership engagement with GoE, WB, WHO on MHPSS in emergencies and as part of resilience projects.

Reporting, planning, MEL, quality assurance (15%)

• Work closely with the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Team on evaluation strategy and frameworks (including the performance measurement framework) needed to achieve credible and reliable measurement of MPSS results
• Provide Technical Guidance for Monitoring, Evaluation and learning team and other staff to design and carry out assessments and annual progress reviews and synthesize the findings for program improvement
• Ensure tracking and document client data electronically and project progress to asses MPHSS efficacy and client discharge plans and link to other BCC and project intervention
• Provide clinical supervision to staff offering mental health and psychosocial support services and create a peer supervisory network built on foundations of knowledge exchange.
• Ensure collation of IP reports and quality reporting for SPIR II consortium on MHPSS (quarterly reports, annual reports, ad hoc requests),
• Participate in annual planning meetings (PREP and other) and draft information for MHPSS sections
• Participate in technical team meetings, TWG meetings and other ad hoc technical meetings

KNOWLEDGE/QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE ROLE

Required Professional Experience

• A minimum of 7 years of working experience in mental health and psychosocial support in low-resource or humanitarian settings, two of which have to be at a supervisory level.
• Experience providing clinical supervision in individual and group settings for large-scale MHPSS programs
• Experience in conducting MHPSS need assessment, quantitative and qualitative field research, and experience working closely with universities and/or other research institutions.
• Excellent analytical, oral and written communication skills.

Required Education, training, license, registration, and certification

• Mental Health professional with an advanced (Master's) degree in Counselling Psychology, Clinical Psychology, and/or related mental health profession.
• Certification in the Group psychological intervention model is advantageous

Preferred Knowledge and Qualifications

• Knowledge of group-based treatments such as IPT-G and Group PM+ is strongly preferred.

Travel and/or Work Environment Requirement: Travel up to 25% of time.

Physical Requirements

Language Requirements: Fluent in English.

World Vision is a child-focused organization that is committed to safeguarding all children as well as adult beneficiaries, and has zero tolerance for incidents of violence or abuse against children or adults, including sexual exploitation or abuse, committed either by employees or others affiliated with our work. Therefore, World Vision does not hire staff whose background is not suitable for working with children or vulnerable adults, even if their role does not interact directly with them.

Disclaimer: World Vision Ethiopia is a reputable organization that values transparency and fairness in its recruitment process and does not solicit any money for any job application. We encourage all job seekers to be cautious of any job ads that require payment or personal information upfront. If you have any questions or concerns about our job ads or recruitment process, please do not hesitate to contact us directly.

Applicant Types Accepted:

Local Applicants Only