ABOUT INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL CORPS

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.

JOB SUMMARY

The Senior Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Officer is responsible for the day-to-day technical, programmatic, monitoring, and successful implementation of the MHPSS program activities. This position will provide close support to OPD consultants/MHPSS officers and PSS Workers for the clinical management of MNS conditions, mental health case management, conducting appropriate referrals as needed and ensuring integration of MHPSS services in Health, Protection, Nutrition and other sectors. S/he will Supervise and provide support to field teams in the area for the implementation of MHPSS activities and provision of MHPSS services and organization of program activities. S/he will work closely with other program sectors/departments within International Medical Corps. The position holder will work under the direction and support of the MHPSS Coordinator and in close collaboration with the Health Technical team in order to ensure that beneficiaries have access to a holistic and integrated services encompassing primary care and MHPSS in line with IMC and global MHPSS standards and guidelines.

MAIN TASKS AND RESPONSABILITIES

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function with or without reasonable support.

The tasks listed are representative of the nature and level of work assigned and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Program planning and organization:

• Assess MHPSS needs (in targeted health facilities including isolation and treatment centers) and participate in the development of professional, effective and appropriate MHPSS programming, including mental health case management (using IMC’s mental health case management approach).
• Oversee and organize the work of MHPSS case management staff that includes Doctors, Nurses, MHPSS Officers and Psychosocial Support Workers working on the field within the area.
• Organize and attend MH case management technical meetings.
• Conduct regular visits to communicate and follow up on PHCCs/ centers supported by IMC and maintain good relationships with all partners.
• Implement individual and group sessions (e.g. psychoeducation, WHO’s Self Help Plus (SH+) and MHPSS awareness raising / stigma reduction sessions), psychosocial wellbeing activities (e.g. stress management and self-care, positive coping strategies etc.).
• In consultation with the MHPSS Coordinator, conduct services mapping and regularly update the 4W matrix.
• Work with MHPSS Coordinator to identify training needs and develop an MHPSS training plan for medical and non-medical staff (including nurses, midwives, MHPSS officers, PSS Workers, CHWs/FHWs, and outreach teams) and non-health worker (WASH, Nutrition, Protection). on MHPSS related topics.
• Support the MHPSS Coordinator to provide on-job capacity building, formal training and coaching in appropriate MHPSS approaches (e.g. identification, pharmacological and non-pharmacological management of priority mental health condition to frontline workers, in line with WHO MhGAP intervention guidelines, key aspects of psychological first aid (PFA) and relevant aspects of IASC guidelines in humanitarian interventions.
• Provide ongoing on the job supervision and mentoring as well as group and individual supervision to Doctors/Nurses, Midwives, MHPSS officers on clinical management of MNS conditions.
• Support MHPSS Officers to identify cases who may need clinical mental health intervention to be referred to specialized psychological/psychiatric services available in the community.
• Support integration of positive mental health messages into all RCCE messages (shared through various channels) to promote the wellbeing of the population, address stigma, discrimination and any fears.
• Develop referral pathways and system to encourage Risk Communication and Community engagement teams to refer beneficiaries from community to health facility.
• Sensitize the Risk communication and community engagement teams on how to dialogue with the beneficiaries on psychosocial issues in order to raise understanding and encourage those who need psychosocial services to approach mental health team.
• Ensure in coordination with MH pharmacist at IMC that all Psychotropic related measures are in place (consumption, reporting, monitoring storage, availability for beneficiaries and any other pharmacy related needs)
• Lead on new initiatives and conduct necessary assessment within the area of operation in line with IMC MHPSS country strategy.

Reporting, Monitoring and Evaluation:

• Maintain an efficient office filing management system related to monitoring, evaluation and reporting on MHPSS activities.
• Compile weekly and monthly reports and submit for review by the MHPSS coordinator.
• Coordinate project monitoring and evaluation activities, including a case management system to measure the impact of intervention on patient outcomes (e.g. functioning, satisfaction with services) and lessons learned.
• Contribute to donor reporting and produce training reports (including attendance sheets, pre-post knowledge tests, on job supervision checklists and training evaluations) and other reports and visibility materials (e.g. success stories) to document the positive impacts of the intervention.
• Support MEAL team on analysis of the MHPSS reporting activities, including conducting Routine Data Quality Assessments.

NOTE: This job description is subject to amendment depending upon the ongoing requirements of the project.

Additional Tasks:

• Be flexible and be able to give assistance with different activities not included in this primary job description.
• Actively promote PSEA (Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse) standards within International Medical Corps and amongst beneficiaries served by International Medical Corps.

IMC is a humanitarian organisation involved in emergency programmes. All IMC staff are to be flexible and willing to assist in IMC operations as and when required.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Education

A Bachelor’s degree in Medicine, Nursing, Clinical officer with specialization in Mental health case management.

Experience

• Minimum 3 years’ experience in health facility and/or community based MHPSS preferably in humanitarian/low resource settings; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience implementing mental health activities at the community level, including training others in MhGAP and similar interventions.
• Familiarity with IASC Guidelines on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings.
• Capacity to conduct training and experience is desirable.
• Strong organizational and Supervisory skills.
• Able to exercise sound judgment and proactive problem-solver.
• Strong interpersonal skills, written, and oral communications skills.
• Ability to work within a team structure or in isolation, flexible, and can cope with stressful workloads and work with limited resources.
• Honest, hardworking and a self-motivated person.
• Commitment to Humanitarian Principles and respect for medical ethics.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural environment, prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and ensure high quality work.
• Computer literacy with demonstrated experience in utilization of databases, Microsoft Office, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Fluency in Somali as well as good command of verbal and written English.
• Willing to travel in other regions of Somalia outside Mogadishu.

Skills and competencies

• Co-operation ability with colleagues of own and other departments.
• Flexible and ready to understand the activities of other departments and respect specific rules and procedures.
• Ready to comply with the health and safety rules.
• Somali written and spoken
• Good interpersonal and advocacy skills
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, remain flexible, and apply experience and guidance to evolving challenges
• Self-motivated, a strong team player with the ability to work under minimum supervision
• Good interpersonal skills
• Coordination, facilitation, and organizational skills
• High degree of integrity and confidentiality
• Passionately committed to delivering quality services
• Strong communication skills

PERSON SPECIFICATION

IMC is a humanitarian organization involved in emergency programmers. All IMC staff are to be flexible and willing to assist in IMC operations as and when required.

Code of Conduct:

As applicable to this position, an individual must promote and encourage a culture of compliance and ethics throughout the organization and maintain a clear understanding of International Medical Corps’ and donor compliance and ethics standards and adheres to those standards. Staff are also responsible for preventing violations to our Code of Conduct and Ethics, which may involve Conflicts of Interest, Fraud, Corruption or Harassment. If you see, hear or are made aware of any violations to the Code of Conduct and Ethics or Safeguarding Policy, you have an obligation to report.

If this is a supervisory position, one must set an example of ethical behavior through one’s own conduct and oversight of the work of others; ensure that those who report to you have sufficient knowledge and resources to follow the standards outlined in the Code of Conduct & Ethics; monitor compliance of the people you supervise; enforce the Code of Conduct & Ethics and International Medical Corps’ policies, including the Safeguarding Policy and the Protection from Harassment, Bullying and Sexual Misconduct in the Workplace Policy, consistently and fairly; support employees who in good faith raise questions or concerns.

Safeguarding

It is all staff shared responsibility and obligation to safeguard and protect populations with whom we work, including adults who may be particularly vulnerable and children. This includes safeguarding from the following conduct by our staff or partners: sexual exploitation and abuse; exploitation, neglect, or abuse of children, adults at risk, or LGBTI individuals; and any form of trafficking in persons

Equal Opportunities:

International Medical Corps is proud to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, age, disability or status as a veteran.