MENTAL HEALTH Technical Officer

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.

In coordination with the concerned units at the HQ, regional office and country offices, provide technical support in coordinating, developing and monitoring initiatives in the area of Mental Health and Psychosocial support (MHPSS); development, adaptation and use of approaches, and interventions aimed at protection, promotion of mental health and prevention of Mental, Neurological and Substance use disorders (MNS) through integration of mental health and substance abuse components in general health care and promoting intersectoral collaboration. To support the MNS unit to coordinate the implementation of policies, programmes and plans on mental health and substance use based on the best available evidence and guided by the WHO, polices, position papers and strategies and guidelines.

The incumbent under direct supervision of the regional advisor for mental health and substance use at the Regional office EMR will engage and coordinate with the Ministry of Health (MOH), Directorates of Health (DOHs), UN/NGO partners and across the organization to: •Collect, validate and analyze the data from Member states for Eastern Mediterranean Country Resources for Mental health neurological and substance use disorders •Coordinate with the departmental communication officer to maintain an updated mental health and substance use website of WHO/EMRO •Support the MNH team in conducting the meetings/Consultations during the period of assignment •Support the global and regional initiatives and partnerships with civil society organizations,sister UN agencies and EMRO programmes •Assist in drafting, reviewing formatting and editing technical documents and information products policy briefs, tool kits, guides/manuals, hand-outs, brochures and reports •Perform other relevant tasks that may be required.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities: • 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 self-reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities; • 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; and • 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.

Results/expected outputs:

• As an active WHO /EMRO team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to MNS team at WHO /EMRO, UHC NMH department and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including: o Development of regional reports on “country resources for mental health neurological and substance use disorders”. o Regularly Updated mental health and substance use website of WHO/EMRO. o Drafting of meetings/Consultations reports during the period of assignment o Documentation of interaction and initiatives with civil society organizations, sister UN agencies and EMRO programmes. • Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment. • A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed.

• Professionalism;
• Integrity;
• Teamwork and respect for diversity;
• Commitment to continuous learning;
• Planning and organizing;
• Communication;
• Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary; •Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity,compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards WHO /EMRO mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

• 3-5 years’ experience in mental health and substance use programming. • Experience working in the Humanitarian context and emergencies would be an asset. • Good knowledge of WHO strategic documents and guidelines, inter-agency standards in the area of mental health and substance use. • Ability to communicate clearly and sensitively in written and spoken English. • Knowledge of Arabic and French is desirable. • 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; • Sound security awareness; • Have affinity with or interest in mental health, neurological and substance use disorders area of work of WHO , volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

The duty station will be Cairo, which is a family duty station with a wide range of services (health, education, and leisure) and good living conditions. Cairo (and Egypt) has long been a center of the region’s political and cultural life, with high levels of tourism. Like other similar cities, Cairo offers good quality of life in terms of access to shopping centers, banks, medical services, educational facilities, cultural events, etc.

The Arab Republic of Egypt has a unique geographical position in Northeast Africa, at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, on the Mediterranean and the Red Sea, and its connection to Sub Saharan Africa through the Nile Valley. The country is defined by desert and the Nile, the longest river on Earth. Egypt is bordered by the Gaza Strip and Israel to the northeast, the Gulf of Aqaba to the east, the Red Sea to the east and south, Sudan to the south and Libya to the west.

With over 90 million inhabitants, two-thirds of which are below 30 years, Egypt is Africa's third most populous country after Nigeria and Ethiopia and has the highest population in the Arab world's most densely populated areas, especially in greater Cairo, Alexandria and other major cities in the Nile Delta. The country has witnessed significant political and economic changes since 2011. Through this transition, which includes periods of political unrest, the main income sources of the economy have been negatively impacted, particularly in the tourism sector, as well as revenues from the Suez Canal, oil and remittances from Egyptians working abroad, affected by the global economy. However, with the current political stability, tourism is getting improved, and touristic activities are going back to normal. UN staffs are not directly targeted in Egypt and for the most are vulnerable to being in the wrong place at the wrong time. It is recommended to keep dwell time in the immediate vicinity of military, police and other prominent official installations to the minimum.