Psychologist

[Nineveh,Iraq ]

 

Position:  Psychologist –Safe Return Project  

Location: Mosul

Reports To: MHPSS Coordinator

Application Deadline: October 24, 2021      

Starting Date:           as soon as possible

 

Project; “Safe Return: Transform the lives of the most marginalized and vulnerable communities and be at the forefront of social change “About You:  A motivated mid-career professional looking to work alongside an inspiring, dynamic team of leading human rights workers. The candidate will have exceptional center management skills and embrace a collaborative, team approach to the work they do. This person has experience living and working in challenging operating environments and is eager to apply that experience working on innovative human rights projects that support survivors of torture, their families as well as families of those who had disappeared.

About Heartland Alliance International: Heartland Alliance International’s (HAI) mission is to secure the rights and well-being of marginalized people and communities. HAI envisions a world in which those whose rights have been violated are safe and empowered to actively engage in their communities and be at the forefront of social change.

The Project:

Heartland Alliance International’s (HAI) Safe Return pilot project is a 30-month project designed to assist with the reintegration of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and returnees from minority communities, many of whom are survivors of severe human rights abuses, to their places of origin in the Ninewa Plains. This project will test the following theory of change: The successful return and reintegration of victims of severe human rights violations, combined with rapid reporting and response to current violations, and majority/minority participation in investigation and prosecution of crimes committed by ISIL, will reduce fear of violence and accelerate IDP return. Direct services of this project will include medical, mental health and psychosocial services, livelihoods assistance, and legal support. This research and pilot project is intended to address barriers to return that are based on fear of communal or individual violence. IDPs consistently rank fear as the greatest barrier to return.  IDPs define objective and subjective risk in a complicated threat environment differently. Most IDPs fear the possible resurgence of ISIL, as well as possible human rights violations by other armed actors. Many IDP religious minorities express a generalized fear that their communities are “no longer safe,” as well as specific localized fears. In some cases, IDPs know specific individuals who committed crimes against them or their communities and might still reside in their communities. This project seeks to combine research on the fears and security expectations of IDP communities, and the impact of successfully reintegrated survivors on decisions to return for remaining IDPs who are not victims of severe human rights abuses.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: the psychologist will be based in Mosul with travels to other projects locations as needed, Under the direct line management of the technical supervision of the Center Manager and MHPSS Coordinator, the Psychologist will implement center-based and mobile community-based Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) services for survivors of torture, their families, as well as families of those who disappeared, The psychologist will also liaise with other entities to ensure holistic service provision for participants, Overall responsibilities include but are not limited to the following.  

• Perform proper and detailed MHPSS needs assessment of participants.
• Provide focused, direct individual and/or group MHPSS interventions, including to high-risk and high-need participants who have experienced torture and other forms of trauma.
• Aid development and provide technical support for facilitation of peer support groups among target participants.
• Liaise with other project team members, including mobile teams, and external agencies through referral pathways for holistic service provision. 
• Conduct awareness raising sessions and mental health education and promotion activities.
• Mainstream protection in all activities.
• Assess and report on progress of participants and make corrective actions when necessary.
• Maintain participant case record and documentation of services and referrals provided to participants.
• Adhere to professional best practice clinical guidelines and procedures developed by the organization. 
• Initiate requests for assistance or guidance from Supervisor/s to address issues affecting adherence to professional standards.
• Actively engage in and prepares for reflective clinical supervision
• Serve program participants without regard to ethnicity, gender, religion or income and abide by basic human rights principles while conducting activities associated with this position.
• Establish and maintain a confidential, professional therapeutic relationship with participants
• Encourage and contribute to a safe and collaborative working environment where self-care as well as care of colleagues is prioritized.

 

• Communication and monitoring and evaluation

• Collaborate closely with Legal Program Officers, Special Case Manager, MHPSS Coordinator and partner organization staff to continuously assess status of the case against the case plan;
• Ensure accurate data reporting and collection;

• Support compilation and writing of daily, monthly and quarterly updates.
• Contribute to finalizing program monthly, quarterly, and annual project reports in English.

 

 

• Other duties; this Job Description is flexible to respond to additional tasks or changes as identified by the direct line manager.

 

Position:  Psychologist –Safe Return Project  

Location: Mosul

Reports To: MHPSS Coordinator

Application Deadline: October 24, 2021      

Starting Date:           as soon as possible

 

Project; “Safe Return: Transform the lives of the most marginalized and vulnerable communities and be at the forefront of social change “About You:  A motivated mid-career professional looking to work alongside an inspiring, dynamic team of leading human rights workers. The candidate will have exceptional center management skills and embrace a collaborative, team approach to the work they do. This person has experience living and working in challenging operating environments and is eager to apply that experience working on innovative human rights projects that support survivors of torture, their families as well as families of those who had disappeared.

About Heartland Alliance International: Heartland Alliance International’s (HAI) mission is to secure the rights and well-being of marginalized people and communities. HAI envisions a world in which those whose rights have been violated are safe and empowered to actively engage in their communities and be at the forefront of social change.

The Project:

Heartland Alliance International’s (HAI) Safe Return pilot project is a 30-month project designed to assist with the reintegration of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and returnees from minority communities, many of whom are survivors of severe human rights abuses, to their places of origin in the Ninewa Plains. This project will test the following theory of change: The successful return and reintegration of victims of severe human rights violations, combined with rapid reporting and response to current violations, and majority/minority participation in investigation and prosecution of crimes committed by ISIL, will reduce fear of violence and accelerate IDP return. Direct services of this project will include medical, mental health and psychosocial services, livelihoods assistance, and legal support. This research and pilot project is intended to address barriers to return that are based on fear of communal or individual violence. IDPs consistently rank fear as the greatest barrier to return.  IDPs define objective and subjective risk in a complicated threat environment differently. Most IDPs fear the possible resurgence of ISIL, as well as possible human rights violations by other armed actors. Many IDP religious minorities express a generalized fear that their communities are “no longer safe,” as well as specific localized fears. In some cases, IDPs know specific individuals who committed crimes against them or their communities and might still reside in their communities. This project seeks to combine research on the fears and security expectations of IDP communities, and the impact of successfully reintegrated survivors on decisions to return for remaining IDPs who are not victims of severe human rights abuses.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: the psychologist will be based in Mosul with travels to other projects locations as needed, Under the direct line management of the technical supervision of the Center Manager and MHPSS Coordinator, the Psychologist will implement center-based and mobile community-based Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) services for survivors of torture, their families, as well as families of those who disappeared, The psychologist will also liaise with other entities to ensure holistic service provision for participants, Overall responsibilities include but are not limited to the following.  

• Perform proper and detailed MHPSS needs assessment of participants.
• Provide focused, direct individual and/or group MHPSS interventions, including to high-risk and high-need participants who have experienced torture and other forms of trauma.
• Aid development and provide technical support for facilitation of peer support groups among target participants.
• Liaise with other project team members, including mobile teams, and external agencies through referral pathways for holistic service provision. 
• Conduct awareness raising sessions and mental health education and promotion activities.
• Mainstream protection in all activities.
• Assess and report on progress of participants and make corrective actions when necessary.
• Maintain participant case record and documentation of services and referrals provided to participants.
• Adhere to professional best practice clinical guidelines and procedures developed by the organization. 
• Initiate requests for assistance or guidance from Supervisor/s to address issues affecting adherence to professional standards.
• Actively engage in and prepares for reflective clinical supervision
• Serve program participants without regard to ethnicity, gender, religion or income and abide by basic human rights principles while conducting activities associated with this position.
• Establish and maintain a confidential, professional therapeutic relationship with participants
• Encourage and contribute to a safe and collaborative working environment where self-care as well as care of colleagues is prioritized.

 

• Communication and monitoring and evaluation

• Collaborate closely with Legal Program Officers, Special Case Manager, MHPSS Coordinator and partner organization staff to continuously assess status of the case against the case plan;
• Ensure accurate data reporting and collection;

• Support compilation and writing of daily, monthly and quarterly updates.
• Contribute to finalizing program monthly, quarterly, and annual project reports in English.

 

 

• Other duties; this Job Description is flexible to respond to additional tasks or changes as identified by the direct line manager.

Essential

• University degree in Psychology, counseling, or related mental health discipline.
• Previous experience with international or local NGOs.
• A minimum of 2-3 years’ experience providing direct MHPSS services to vulnerable individuals, including women, minorities and children.
• Experience providing MHPSS services to survivors of torture and/or war violence strongly preferred.
• Able to handle confidential and sensitive information.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal and intercultural skills.
• A demonstrated commitment to high professional ethical standards and humanitarian values.
• A strong commitment to human rights and to international standards relating to human rights.
• Proven ability to calmly, professionally, and successfully manage multiple priorities.
• Knowledge and understanding of Monitoring and Evaluation concepts.
• Experience with Windows platform, including Word, PowerPoint, Excel, etc.
• Excellent negotiation and relationship management skills, with the ability to proactively problem solve and find solutions.
• Demonstrates initiative and is comfortable working in a group, as well as independently.
• Ability to reside in Baghdad or Basra and travel within the IKR and Iraq, and the region.
• Ability to provide clear direction and management for remote partners.

 

Languages

• Languages: Arabic mandatory (oral and written); English and other local dialect an advantage

 

Personal Competencies: Collaborative spirit and ability to work independently as well as in a team; commitment to knowledge sharing and teamwork; positive attitude and ability to see through challenges to find solutions; and strong interpersonal skills and an ability to clearly communicate, including complex concepts into layperson language.

 

Resilience: This project will address sensitive issues. Interested applicants should have a strong commitment to addressing the issues with cultural sensitivity, respect, and confidentiality.  Candidates should be flexible, have a sense of humor and patience.

Please send cover letter (1 page maximum) explaining your interest and how your experience meets the qualifications required and a CV, to

https://heartlandalliance.bamboohr.com/jobs/view.php?id=568

 

Incomplete applications will not be considered. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. If you do not hear back from us within 2 weeks, please consider your application unsuccessful.

 

Heartland Alliance makes all hiring and employment decisions without regard to race, creed, color, age, gender, gender identity, marital or parental status, religion, ancestry, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, sexual identity, immigrant status, political affiliation or belief, ex-offender status (depending on the offense and position to be filled), unfavorable military discharge, membership in an organization whose primary purpose is the protection of civil rights or improvement of living conditions and human relations, or HIV infection, in accordance with the Organization’s AIDS Policy Statement of September, 1987. Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodation should contact the Human Resources and Administration Office at (312) 660-1431.