This position is a professional position within International Medical Corps (IMC) Ethiopia. The Mental Health Officer will work under the direction and support of the Senior Mental Health Officer. The Mental Health Officer’s primary responsibilities include providing oversight of the psychosocial components of the mental health and psychosocial program and implementing counselling services in one of the refugee camps of Gambella. 

Job Description/Responsibilities: 

 - Assist the Senior Mental Health Officer with the integration of mental health and psychosocial support into general health care

• Provide psychosocial support services linked to general health care clinics
• Support and collaborate with Senior Mental Health Officer and consultant psychiatrist in facilitation of the mhGAP training and supervision of the ARRA primary health care staff.
• Select, provide training and supervision for refugee community volunteers
• Develop culturally appropriate psychosocial activities, including social support activities targeting South Sudanese refugees. These include, but are not limited to training in psychological first aid, designing holistic recreational, vocational and social activities; development of material for awareness campaigns;
• Serve as the primary point of contact between IMC and local partners involved in psychosocial activities.
• Provide culturally appropriate counselling services to South Sudanese refugees with mental illness or experiencing psychosocial challenges in accordance with professional ethics and best practices.
• Strengthen community-facility referral system for refugees with psychosocial needs.
• Establish, equip and run recreation centres for people in need of psychosocial support and refugee community members
• Work in keeping with IASC guidelines on mental health and psychosocial support and promote guidelines where appropriate.
• Provide oversight, direct and supervise activities of IMC supported psychosocial team.
• Coordinate/ensure activities with relevant Government Authorities, International and National Organizations, including standardized reporting practices.
• Organize and lead workshop for mental health club students to promote mental health in the school and create supportive environment for students with mental illness
• Organize and lead workshop for key refugee representatives, care and support group members, and model families to promote mental health in the refugee community
• Work closely with other mental health and psychosocial staff in to ensure coordinated activities
• Develop and provide culturally appropriate community based mental health care services
• Develop and organize consultation workshop with the indigenous healers, religious leaders, and refugee representatives
• Collaborate with informal service providers such as natural healers to facilitate information sharing and referral of mental health cases
• Collaborate with community and existing institutional structures to ensure protection of those suffering mental illness
• Represent IMC in camp based health and nutrition coordination meetings when necessary
• Compile information and prepare written reports as necessary
• Organize public awareness and de-stigmatization campaigns around mental health issues on a periodic base involving refugee volunteers and implementing partners
• Support and collaborate with Senior Mental Health Officer and consultant psychiatrist with in the process of conducting KAP survey, satisfaction survey and integration analysis.
• Work collaboratively with other agencies, local and international and with relevant government bodies

Implement other activities as per

Job Requirements

• Master’s degree in Psychology or related field with at least 3 years of counselling and social work experience
• At least 2 years of mental health and psychosocial programming experience
• In depth knowledge and experience of mental health and psychosocial programming in the humanitarian context essential.
• Strong organizational and supervisory skills.
• Familiarity with IASC Guidelines on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support In Emergency Settings
• Training experience required.
• Proven counselling skills
• Strong writing and reporting skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work within different cultural environments
• Honest, hardworking and a self-motivated person
• Ability to work within a team structure or in isolation, flexible, and can cope with stressful workloads and working with limited resources
• Ability to travel on short notice to project sites by car or air
• Excellent English verbal and written skills
• Computer skills: word, excel, and project manager
• Local language skills is a plus

How to Apply

Interested applicants who meet the above requirements should submit their application letter and CV by clearly stating the position that you are applying for through www.ethiojobs.net before June 27, 2021.

Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Note: IMC is equal opportunity employer and hence candidate from all background: religion, ethnic group, qualified women and people living with disabilities, etc are all encouraged to apply.

International Medical Corps never asks job applicants for a fee, payment, or other monetary transaction. If you are asked for money in connection with this recruitment, please notify International Medical Corps at report@InternationalMedicalCorps.org.