Job Title: MHPSS Specialist

Closing Date: September 9, 2022

Duty Station: Dessie

Duration of Employment 7 months

Employment Type: Fixed term

Salary: As per the organization scale

International Medical Corps is a global, humanitarian, nonprofit organization dedicated to saving lives and relieving suffering through health care training and relief and development programs. Established in 1984 by volunteer doctors and nurses, International Medical Corps is a private, voluntary, nonpolitical, nonsectarian organization. Its mission is to improve the quality of life through health interventions and related activities that build local capacity in underserved communities worldwide. By offering training and health care to local populations and medical assistance to people at highest risk, and with the flexibility to respond rapidly to emergency situations, International Medical Corps rehabilitates devastated health care systems and helps bring them back to self-reliance.

Program Background

1. International Medical Corps/IMC Ethiopian mission supports local communities and refugees to drive their own sustainable development by building capacities through training, technical, material (medical supplies and equipment) and logistical supports. IMC Ethiopia supports the accessibility and provision of appropriate care and timely responses in the areas of nutrition, Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH), Mental Health Psychosocial Support (MHPSS), WaSH as well as Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in the country since 2003. The MHPSS program is currently implemented mainly in the two refugee operational areas that is in Gambella region, and in Ethiopian Somali, Dolo Ado refugee camps supporting around 10 refugee camps. The MHPSS currently becoming a major intervention in our emergency health program in the host community and IDPs where there is acute displacement due to various triggering factors and MHPSS is becoming as one of the live saving primary health program components.  The MHPSS Specialist will provide full technical support both for the Tigray emergency response MHPSS programs which are implemented by IMC at Shire and Dansha field office.

Job Summary

The mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) specialist will be responsible for implementing and managing a comprehensive MHPSS project. The project aims to integrate mental health into primary health care service delivery in line with the WHO MH GAP Intervention Guidelines. On top of this the project aims to include MHPSS as one of the lifesaving primary health care service which is provided IMC MHNT. International Medical Corps’ approach to mental health is heavily based on training and developing the capacity of local partners and IMC MHNT staffs; the successful candidate should therefore have experience in training, on the job supervision and mentoring, coordination and in building referral links to other formal service providers and informal community supports. The mental health specialist will train, supervise, coordinate, and oversee the project MHNT of MHPSS officers and surge team support staffs. And make follow-up and basic mental health and psychosocial support. The MHPSS specialist will closely work and coordinate with the emergency response coordinator for managerial and MHPSS specialist at the country office for all technical matters.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function:

-Actively lead or participate in coordination mechanisms in the area (e.g. Health, general coordination, potential MHPSS coordination group) and advocate for principles of IASC MHPSS guidelines.

-Identify and train MHNT mental health officers and community mobilizers. And facilitate mental health case management, follow-up, and mental health promotion-

-Provide training in the identification and non-pharmacological management of priority mental health condition to general health staff in line with WHO mhGAP Intervention Guidelines in coordination with the two MHPSS Program Manager.

-Provide mental health and psychosocial support services along with health staff as needed

-Ensure completion and analysis of pre post knowledge tests and on the job supervision checklists

-Support collection and reporting of mental health project data including HMIS reporting and patient outcomes (e.g. functioning, satisfaction with services)

-Assist with the development of new proposals

-Assist with hiring of national staff as needed

-Implement the project in line with IMC and global MHPSS standards and guidelines and closely coordinate with IMCs Technical Unit Global Mental Health Advisor for development and review of training materials and reports

-Represent IMC in MHPSS related meetings and coordination at the project location.

Budget, Logistic support

- Assist the emergency response coordinator and health and nutrition program managers to address the logistic issues in relation to programmatic supplies for.

-  Manage MHPSS budget is properly managed and review program budget and ensure presence of regular alignment of budget versus expenditures, under or over expenditure.

- Ensure smooth phase in and phase out in each project areas during project phase out period. 

Reporting and M/E

·    Prepare data collection tool for capturing MHPSS program interventions.

·   Provide updates and regular reports on MHPSS to emergency response coordinator, country health program coordinator and MHPSS specialist.

· Support compiling and review of MHPSS project-based reports and provide high level regular donor and other reports and updates to IMC field and CO.

Additional Tasks:

·  Collaborate with other sectors in the country office and working in integration.

·     Be flexible and be able to give assistance with different activities not included in this primary job description.

· Implement other MHPSS related activities as per direction from immediate supervisor.

Job Requirements

Skills & Qualifications

 The qualified candidate will have a master’s degree in integrated clinical and community based mental health program

 5+ years’ experience working on MHPSS programs, preferably in humanitarian settings

- Training and supervision experience required, particularly with experience in WHO’s MH GAP Intervention Guide.

Strong organizational and supervisory skills

- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work within different cultural environment.

- Ability to work in difficult emergency environment under very basic living conditions.

-Ability to work within a team structure or in isolation, flexible, and can cope with stressful workloads and working with limited resources.

-A good command of verbal and written English,

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 through THIS LINK OR before September 7, 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.