Psychologist

Work Arrangement:

Job Description

Interviewing On a Rolling Basis

The mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) program aim to ensure that crisis affected populations have access to high quality humanitarian services focusing on the promotion and treatment of mental health concerns. The project will address the mental health needs of the migrant population currently residing in Tripoli, Libya.

Job Overview/Summary: The psychologist will be responsible for providing evidence based preventative and curative services to people suffering with mental health concerns currently living in East Region who are referred by the IRC health or protection teams within the supported Health Facilities , and community centers, or by other actors through the established referral pathway system. The psychologist will also be responsible for managing cases, conducting appropriate referrals to a psychiatrist if needed and protection services. The psychologist will provide psychological interventions based on the client’s needs and presenting complaints. There will be a focus on vulnerable populations, specifically, but not limited to separated and unaccompanied children, survivors of gender based violence, and people with serious security and medical concerns. On 10th September 2023, Tropical Storm Daniel hit the eastern coast of Libya with strong winds, heavy rainfall, and flash floods affecting various locations including Benghazi, Al Marj, Al Bayda, Al Abyar, Batah, Bayada, Shahat, Soussa, and Derna, among others. The storm's devastating impact marks an unprecedented climatic event for the Mediterranean region; in Derna, rainfall exceeded 100mm in just just three days. The area was heavily impacted as the storm led dams to burst resulting in mass destruction and fatalities, displacing people to other affected cities and towns and overwhelming local facilities and capacities.

Reports to: The position will report to the SMTL and will receive additional technical support from the MH Technical Advisors. Major Responsibilities: Adhere to internationally recognized best practices for evidence based psychological interventions and the management of clients with mental health concerns. This includes ensuring the confidentiality of clients and respecting their decisions; Establish a safe space to conduct private and confidential sessions acceptable to those on the site and safely accessible by women and children. Assess the client’s needs and presenting complaints and develop a care plan with the client based on those needs, including referrals to other services; Provide age-appropriate culturally relevant individual and/or group psychological counselling for population at risk including but not limited to survivors of gender based violence, asylum seekers and unaccompanied minors; Support the client(s) coping process and mobilize their internal and external resources for processing extreme adversity; Identify concerns related to and support adherence to referral protocols and guiding principles for gender based violence and bring these concerns to the SMTL & Psychiatrists. Maintain an effective working relationship and regular communication with other health and protection team members working on the same project; Maintain effective working relationships with relevant stakeholders including referral organizations community groups and other implementing partners; Complete daily case reports and data collection according to guidance provided by the health manager and the MHPSS Technical Advisor. Collaborate with the rest of the team to exchange information and ensure that IRC programs are responding to the evolving needs of migrants, refugees and local population accessing the CDC; Attend regular supportive supervision conducted by the external psychiatrist; Refer patients to other health professionals whenever necessary; Provide psychoeducation sessions to the family members of clients when needed.

Other: Other duties as assigned by the supervisor to enable and develop IRC programs;  Participate in weekly team meetings.

Qualifications

Job Requirements: Licensed Libyan psychologist; Minimum two year professional experience providing psychological interventions to populations in need including but not limited to survivors of flooding, IDPs migrants; Knowledge of different culturally relevant therapeutic techniques; Experience conducting assessments, using screening tools and creating individual care plans for clients seeking mental health services; INGO experience preferred; Knowledge of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) MHPSS in emergencies guidelines; Demonstrated understanding of and ability to maintain confidentiality and respect for beneficiaries; Positive and professional attitude, including ability to work well in a team setting; Strong ability to maintain composure, prioritize work under pressure, and work in a difficult environment; Ability to conduct counselling sessions via interpreters/cultural mediators, whenever necessary; Personal qualities: Works well in and promotes teamwork, comfortable in a multi-cultural environment, flexible and able to handle pressure well;  Fluency in English.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: This position will be based in the IRC field office in Eastern of Libya with frequent visits to the field sites Professional Standards All MHPSS psychologists are required to adhere to THE IRC Way Standards for Professional Conduct and the IRC country employment policies. Adhere to the Code of Conduct every day – in the site and in the community. Maintain confidentiality While in transit sites, all IRC staff must wear appropriate IRC visibility. __________________________________________________________________________________________________ The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation. IRC et les employés de IRC doivent adhérer aux valeurs et principes contenus dans le IRC WAY (normes de conduite professionnelle). Ce sont l’Intégrité, le Service, et la Responsabilité. En conformité avec ces valeurs, IRC opère et fait respecter les politiques sur la protection des bénéficiaires contre l’exploitation et les abus, la protection de l’enfant, le harcèlement sur les lieux de travail, l’intégrité financière, et les représailles.