Mental Health officer

The humanitarian aid organizations "Medicos del Mundo" and "Arzte der Welt" are the Spanish and German division of the international network Medecins du Monde/Doctors of the World (MdM).

MDM has been operating in Ukraine since August 2015 and is currently implementing an emergency response and recovery program in the Eastern part of Ukraine.

The program is implemented around two main components: direct delivery of services through multidisciplinary mobile units (including PHC, SRH, MHPSS and support to GBV survivors); strengthening of local health system (with a specific focus on PHC, SRH, MHPSS and GBV) through capacity building of health and non-health staff, awareness raising and advocacy.

For our program in Ukraine, to support our activities, we are looking for MH Officer.

The position is based in Bakhmut with frequent daily trips to other locations in Donetsk region.

Under the direct managerial link of the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Manager, the Mental Health Officer (MH Officer) organizes, implements and follows up the project and or projects in Donetsk region .

The MH Officer is responsible for implementing capacity building activities on evidence-based scalable MHPSS interventions aimed to build the capacity of helping professionals identified as a target audience in the MHPSS project(s) (including but not limited to primary health care staff; social workers, and community health focal points) under the technical supervision and management of MHPSS Manager.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Implement and follow up of MdM's MHPSS capacity building programs (including Problem Management+, SH+, MhGAPy) on the regional level;
• Conduct MHPSS needs assessments and map MHPSS services and referral pathway specific to the target communities under the technical framework of MdM;
• Actively contribute to and co-facilitate trainings on MHPSS and GBV to build capacity of helping professionals (including, but not limited to primary health care healthworkers), and lay community workers in frames of MdMs program scope under the supervision of MHPSS Manager;
• Plan and implement MH awareness activities in line with MdM methodology and quality standards that raise awareness and overcome stigma around MHPSS and GBV on community level and facilitate access to MHPSS services.
• Substitute the Psychologist in outreach direct service provision in case of need and upon request.

Programming

Community Mental Health Programs

• Be responsible for implementation of MHPSS capacity building mental health programs on community levels (including selection of participants, , supervision, following-up and monitoring) in accordance to the project(s)scope and plan.

Awareness Raising

• Assessing needs of MHPSS information in communities and developing strategies on how to reach particular vulnerable groups
• Delivering MHPSS awareness raising sessions based on MdM's MHPSS technical framework upon validation of MHPSS Coordinator.

MHPSS care - direct service provision (if covering the HR gaps in MHPSS Teams or ad-hoc programmatic needs)

• Delivering Individual MHPSS services
• Providing group psychological support and conducting group psychoeducation sessions
• Making referrals, according the national and MdM guidelines, to other health, social, legal, and livelihood services

Coordination with NGOs, local associations

• Maintain regular contacts with other NGOs and organizations operating on the community level;
• Update the mapping of service providers available on the community level with the support of outreach psychologists;
• Ensure coordination and communication with MHPSS providers, state authorities in Health and Social Protection on the community levels;
• Provide a short summary when meetings are attended.

Monitoring and Reporting

• Assist in collecting mental health data from delivered activities on a regular basis and develop corrective measures when needed, in coordination with MHPSS Manager;
• Contribute to regular reports on MHPSS activities, in coordination with MHPSS Manager, MHPSS Supervisor and Field Coordinator.

Others

• Maintain good socio-professional relationships with national and international partners;
• Attend team meetings and provide qualitative input;
• If necessary, contribute in preparing emergency plans with the Coordination team to adjust activities and resources to the needs;
• Take part in advocacy and communication activities under the supervision of MHPSS Manager;
• Perform other additional duties on request of the MHPSS Manager.

Note: This list of activities is not exhaustive and may change depending on the situation

Hierarchical and Functional links

Hierarchical link: MHPSS Manager

Technical link: MH Technical Lead (substituted by MHCo)

The successful candidate must have:

• Degree in psychology, or other relevant to MHPSS certified field
  
• Experience in developing and leading trainings on MHPSS and GBV, particularly with primary health care staff;
• Experience with INGOs and/or health institutions;
• Knowledge of primary health care level and mental health context in conflict affected areas and overall in Ukraine;
• Self-organized and fare degree of autonomy with ability to organize, plan and prioritize tasks;
• Experience in coordination.

COMPETENCE PROFILE:

• Flexibility to adapt to changing requirements and environment;
• Good planning and organizational skills;
• Cultural sensitivity and ability to work in a multi-cultural environment;
• Team player;
• Gender sensitive;
• Alignment with principles and ethics of MdM.
• Ability to work efficiently, under pressure, and with short deadlines;

Language and computer skills:

• English fluent (written and oral)
• Ukrainian and Russian fluent (written and oral)
• Competency in Microsoft Office Environment

We offer:

• Fixed term contract until the 31/12/2020 with possible extension (pending of funding).
• Medical insurance.
  
• Full -time job

To apply:

• Send CV (including reference contacts) + cover letter.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be invited to the interview.