MHPSS Officer

Job description

Overall objectives

The Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Officer supervise the implementation and monitoring and evaluation of MHPSS components of the program in Ninewa and Dohuk Governorates, and contribute to their development In close collaboration and guidance with the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Deputy Project Manager.

Project background: Strengthening quality and access to mental health services in Iraq and KRI.

Important needs and limited capacities in Iraq:

–        Main gaps & needs in MHPSS: Persistent and high level needs for IDPs, refugees, host-communities, and returnees, highlighted by recent assessments done by the partners; low changes in attitudes and behaviours regarding MH stigma, prevention and treatment ; lack of financial resources; retention of trained staff due to the difficult socio-economic situation; lack of technical expertise of MoH at national level; lack of technical capacity in the country; and the lack of coordinated efforts on national level by the MoH.

–        The government’s capacity to provide MHPSS for persons affected by the recent crisis and those with chronic and severe mental disorders including IDPs, refugees and host communities is very limited at a national level, despite WHO and INGOs collaborative efforts for incorporating MHPSS services into priority programming for DoHs, mainly in areas impacted by waves of violence.

–        Most of the psychiatrists providing direct MH care, work out of clinics, centres and hospitals located in urban areas. Mental health services have been integrated into primary health care in less than 50% of primary health care centres in the country; however, turnover rates are exceedingly high in terms of human resources trained on assessment and management of MH conditions due to the difficult economic situation. The budget allocated to mental health is less than 1% of the annual MoH budget. WHO estimates that the prevalence of mental disorders among the population is 35.5%, while the treatment gap for management of mental disorders is estimated at 94%.

Project Outcomes:

–        The MoH in the Iraqi federal government and the Kurdistan region of Iraq have increased resources and capacity building that will contribute to build sustainable systems and enhance the quality of MHPSS service provision.

–        Access to inclusive, comprehensive and integrated quality MHPSS services, including: identification, provision of care and referral to reinforced specialized care, for populations in need in Iraq is promoted and expanded.

–        This two-year action will strengthen national efforts in supporting national MH policies; train and supervise a total of 1,138 MH specialists, non-specialists and members of Communities Based Organizations (CBOs); allow access to quality services for 21,000 IDPS, refugees, host-community members, and returnees and to reach 12,000 people through awareness and public campaigns.

Responsibilities and scope of duties

 IMPLEMENTATION AND MONITORING OF MHPSS PROGRAM

–         He/She supports project team and trainers during training phase

–         He/She prepare handouts and materials for training on mhGAP and Basic PSS under the supervision of the technical coordinators.

–         He/She communicate, provides technical guidance, and support to PHCCs staff who involved in the training and MADAD project in collaboration with field technical advisors.

–         He/She supports in the supervision process set up for PHCC staff who participated in the training 

–         He/She supports in the collection of MH data for project follow up, coordinate with the MEAL team and report to the line Manager.

–         He/She supports in monitoring and evaluation, data collection during training, supervision and on the stage of service provision

QUALITY ASSURANCE OF MHPSS PROJECTS ACTIVITIES AND COMMUNICATION

–         He/She proactively participate in relevant team meetings, as requested by the MHPSS Deputy project manager.

–         He/She debrief on a weekly basis with the PHCCs staff.

–         He/She provides follow up the day-to-day progress of activities at the field level, mainly the activities implemented by the PHCCs staff based on a previous well set plan designed by the Project Manager/Deputy project manager.

–         He/She establish and maintain collaborative relationships with relevant partners and other project stakeholders working in the project areas.

–         He/She ensures documents are recorded and maintained confidentially at all times.

–         He/she ensures that confidentiality and consent processes are in place and adhered to.

–         He/she assists in the development and implementation of the technical monitoring tools for the projects activities for all MHPSS components. 

OTHER ACTIVITIES

–         He/She supports follow up of the referred cases, with the patient and the referring doctor.

–         He/She supports in dissemination and implementation awareness campaign

–         He/She supports for the workshops, training, and meetings that hosted as part of the project.

–         Any other duty as assigned by the line Manager

Other Interfaces

 Internal: Field Coordinator, MHPSS PM, MHPSS Coordinator/Deputy, MHPSS Deputy advisors, Health Liaison Officers, Deputy Head of Mission, Grants Officer, Administration and Logistics, HR department

 External: MHPSS actors and partner organizations

Required Profile

Required knowledge and skills

Required

desirable

Education /Training

  University degree (at minimum BA level) in social science, nursing, psychology, medicine or other relevant field

 Experience in mhGAP training and supervision, Protection training (SGBV and Child Protection) and training in Case Management

  Monitoring and Evaluation

  Training in Community or public health

 PSS/GBV

  Community mobilization

Professional experience

  Humanitarian

  International

   Technical

  Experience of working in the Iraqi / KRG public health care in / PHCC setting

  Experience of working in a Consortium

  Experience in monitoring and evaluation of projects

   Experience in public health and mental health

  Experience in working with an international  NGO

Knowledge and skills

 Good communication and analytical skills

 Understanding of the health system in Federal Iraq and KRG

Experience in data collection

  Knowledge of local areas and community structures

Languages

    English

   Arabic

   Kurdish

X

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X

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Software

   Microsoft Office

Microsoft Office skills: PowerPoint, Excel, and Word

KOBO

Required Personal Characteristics (fitting into team, suitability for the job and assignment/mission)

  Integrity

  Good organisation skills

  Willingness to do daily field visits in unstable environments

  Resilience to stress

  Appreciation of staff wellbeing

  Reactivity and anticipation

  Ability to work in an international, cross-cultural team and in a challenging  context

  Continuous learning attitude