Senior Mental health and psychosocial support Officer

Job Description

Background/IRC Summary: ----------------------------

The International Rescue Committee 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, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to people required to flee from war or disaster. At work today in over 40 countries and in 22 US cities, the IRC restores safety, dignity, and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. The IRC leads the way from harm to home.

The IRC Yemen began its programs in October 2012. The IRC currently operates in the south and north of the country through direct programming and local partnerships, with main offices in Aden and Sana’a and field offices in Abyan, Al Dhale’e, and Hodeidah governorates.

Job Overview/Summary:

Under the supervision of the Community Health Manager, The Senior MHPSS Officer will be responsible for leading the implementation and monitoring of IRC’s mental health program and ensuring that goals, objectives, targets, and activities are met in line with the project objectives, work plan and log frame. This position will supervise the IRC Psychologist and provide close support to MoPHP psychiatrists for treating patients with mental health conditions, conducting appropriate referrals as needed, and ensuring integration with protection services.

Reports to: ----------------

With overall mentorship from the Health Coordinator, this position will be directly supervised by the Community Health Manager.

Major Responsibilities: ---------------------------

- Oversee the implementation of all psychosocial activities and develop quality mental health and psychosocial support interventions embedded in public health programming. - Conduct group meetings and brainstorming sessions with beneficiaries for MHPSS related activities - Plan and facilitate with the IRC Psychologist and MoPHP psychiatrists the individual and group psychosocial and therapeutic support sessions and activities. - Supervise and develop detailed work plans for CHWs and MoPHP incentive staff for proper implementation of psychosocial services. - Supervise and support community health workers in providing psychosocial support and psychological first aid. - Train the CHWs and health workers on MhGAP and Thinking Healthy Program (THP). - Maintain effective working relationships with relevant partners including referral organizations community groups and other implementing partners; - Producing timely progress reports, including both quantitative and qualitative information, on MHPSS activities. - Ensure regular supervision and monitoring activities at the village, district, and governorate levels. Share findings and recommendations with the supervisor. - Collaborate and ensure with the rest of the team to exchange information that IRC programs are responding to the evolving needs of IDPs and the host community. - Provide psycho-education sessions to the IRC clients and/or staff when needed.

Other ----------

Other duties as assigned by the supervisor to enable and develop IRC programs.

Qualifications

Job Requirements: ----------------------

- Bachelor’s degree in medicine or college degree in clinical Psychology . - Minimum two years of experience leading MHPSS activities and project design in humanitarian programs; longer experience preferred. - Experience implementing mental health activities at the community level, including training others in MhGAP and THP or similar interventions. - Experience in monitoring and training staff and/or partner organizations; experience managing staff desirable. - Understanding of the social organization, and community health issues - Good analytical and reporting skills - Understanding of budget management - Excellent communication and interpersonal skills - Spoken and written English and Arabic required. - Computer skills including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint - Experience in a flexible approach to handling and prioritizing a high workload and multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment. - Be able to work in a stressful setting and adapt quickly to changing environments - Willing and able to travel frequently to different locations in Yemen. Up to 40% travel is expected.

Professional Standards --------------------------

The IRC and IRC workers must implement the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and implements policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.