Job Title: Mental Health Officer X2

Reference number: Vac/061/22

Vacancy posting date: March 11, 2022

Closing Date: March 17, 2022

Duty Station: Gambella (Okugu and Pinyudo II)

Duration of Employment: Nine Month

Employment Type: Fixed term

Salary: As per the organization scale

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 report to International Medical Corps at the website provided at the end of this document.  

About International Medical Corps

A preeminent First Responder, International Medical Corps provides emergency relief to those hit by disaster, and offers the skills needed to rebuild stronger. We train people – giving communities the tools and knowledge to be self-reliant and be their own best First Responders when disaster strikes again.

International Medical Corps focuses on the delivery of community-based primary health care. We emphasize training and education, and prioritize hiring local staff – in fact, 96% of our field-based staff and health professionals are recruited from the local community. This helps to ensure that skills and knowledge are passed on and remain long after our programs have ended. Through the integration of specialties like emergency medicine, women’s health, nutrition services, water and sanitation, and mental health into the primary health care setting, we ensure that those we serve receive holistic, comprehensive care. The value of International Medical Corps’ integrated approach to community health and well-being and our emphasis on capacity building through training are critical for the long-term growth of ‘conflict and natural disaster-affected communities’ and ‘fragile states’.

Job Summary:

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. 

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND 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

Education:

• Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology with at least 3 years of counselling and social work experience

Experience:

• Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology 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.
• Familiarity with IASC Guidelines on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support In Emergency Settings
• Training experience required.
• Proven counselling skills
• Strong organizational and supervisory 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

If you are asked for money in connection with this recruitment, please notify International Medical Corps at report@InternationalMedicalCorps.org.

How to Apply

Interested applicants who meet the above requirements should submit their application letter by clearly stating the position that you are applying for and CV CLICK HERE  before March 18, 2022.

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.