Social Worker

[Kirkuk,Iraq ]

CONTEXT:

MdM has been working in Iraq since the 1990s. During its first mission in the country, MdM was providing general and specialized medical services (surgery, training programs for traditional birth attendants). Since then MdM had several programs which included pediatric surgery, contributing to the renewal of techniques and knowledge of surgical, medical and paramedical staff in 1997, emergency medical activities in 2002, building local capacity on basic emergency healthcare services at the community level in 2006. From 2009 to 2011, MdM supported an Iraqi NGO in the implementation of a program aimed at improving the skills of midwives and traditional birth attendants in accordance with recognized international standards.

In 2014, with the arrival of ISIL, MdM started to provide immediate healthcare support through curative and preventive care including MHPSS services to IDPs and host communities in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KR-I). Later, MdM expanded its support to the most vulnerable IDPs and host communities outside of the KR-I region, in Kirkuk Governorate in July 2015, and in Ninewa Governorate in April 2016. Since 2018, MdM has developed a program where activities are gradually handed over to the MoH.

The current program focuses on supporting the local health authorities in providing quality PHC services (including MHPSS and GBV response) and continue to strengthen the capacities of local public health authorities in Dohuk, Kirkuk, and Ninewa governorates, to provide quality care and respond to health needs of IDPs, returnees and vulnerable host communities.

This includes:

• A combination of direct and complementary services, especially related to general health, Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH), while contributing to the health system strengthening through capacity building at DOH level
• Mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS),
• Gender-based violence (GBV) integrated within the PHCC general health services, SRH, and MHPSS services
• As a cross-cutting approach, MdM is planning to develop a community health-based (CHB) approach to ensure community participation, while empowering individuals.

Main responsibilities 

Under the supervision of the Mental Health & Psycho-social Support (MHPSS) Officer, the Social Worker will assist in the coordination of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) activities within and out the PHCC, more specifically:

Working relations 

The Social Worker reports directly to MHPSS Officer and receives technical support from MHPSS Officer

S/he works closely with the MH team which includes:

• PSS Workers
• MHPSS Officer

Essential duties

1. Provide Psycho-social support and Case management activities within and out the PHCC:

• Assist in the identification of psycho-social needs and proposition needed interventions in collaboration with the mental health team and PHC staff.
• Provide psycho-social support to the IDP community and host population at the primary health clinics and community level.
• In coordination with the MHPSS officer and the PSSC, plan, design, and conduct group activities for the target population.
• Organize ‘Raising Awareness Sessions’ in order to disseminate necessary information for the target population.
• Provide proper case-management for the MHPSS cases, in collaboration with PSSC and MHPSS Officer when needed.
• Participate in regular meetings with psycho-social counsellor (PSSC) to ensure comprehensive follow-up of cases benefitting from MHPSS consultations.
• Contact patients to follow up the evolution of their condition when needed.
• Ensure that the target population has access to mental and psychosocial support services.
• In collaboration with the MHPSS officer and the PSSC, detect more serious forms of distress and other mental health conditions.

2. Community mental health interventions:

• Participate in defining effective and culturally appropriate approaches and interventions on the community level
• Conduct focus group discussions and other participatory activities to engage community members in designing activities and to better understand their needs and interests.
• Focus on information dissemination and collecting opinions to foster knowledge and self-care practices for communities in areas of intervention
• Initiate and facilitate group interventions and community-based events.
• To perform home visit services (door to door) when there is a need.

 

3. Analysis, detection and reduction of risk factors influencing the mental health status at community level:

• In collaboration with the mental health team, explore and detect potential risk factors influencing mental health status of the target population
• When required, coordinate with other stakeholders (social workers, to reduce and/or eliminate potential risk factors.

4. Coordination and service mapping:

• Establish and maintain effective and harmonious working relationships with local authorities, mukhtars, community leaders, and / or imams in the neighbourhoods in the area of interventions.
• Mapping and regular update of social partners, local authorities, other NGOs, and governmental social services in order to improve social services scope and responsiveness.
• Under the guidance of the MHPSS officer, establish contact and networking with NGOs, CBOs and government bodies providing social services to the target population.

5. Data collection and archiving:

• Ensure that the MHPSS activities are well documented and archived in accordance to MdM standards.
• Upon to the needs, report the MHPSS activities and prepare weekly/monthly reports.
• Ensure that the MHPSS files are secured and stored in a wat preserve the confidentiality and the privacy of the cases.

Other

• Any other related MDM tasks as assigned by the line management.
• Under the guidance of the MH officer, Deputy MHPSS Co and MHPSS CO, support in the collection of information related to behaviours of the community to reinforce quality of MHPSS services
• Collaborate and participate, in any field survey, data collection and/or needs assessment organized by MDM in relation to MHPSS
• Participate in MDM internal meetings, trainings and individual meetings.
• The activities may change based on the changing context.
• To inform immediately security focal point in the case of any security problem.

Skills Required:

• University Degree in a related field (Social Work, Psychology, etc)
• At least 1 – 2 years of professional experience in relevant field (social work, psycho-social)
• Strong knowledge of psycho-social programming in the humanitarian context.
• Strong communication and facilitation skills experience in community work is an asset are required
• Experience working in the humanitarian sector is an asset
• Proactive and ability to work with the multicultural team would be highly appreciated
• Fluency in Arabic and Kurdish, English is an asset
• Be committed to MdM’s values as an organization and motivated by its non-statutory, Not For Profit model

 

Submit CV and Cover letter  by Email to [email protected]

including the subject:

Ref: 2021-KRK-07

LAST SUBMISSION DATE ON September 9, 2021

please make sure to send your CV in PDF/word format (other formats or links aren’t considered) and write the reference (2021-KRK-07)on the subject of your email. Only Short-Listed Applicants Will Be Contacted Reviewing the application CVs will be on a rolling basis, as such; MdM reserves the right to fill the position before the closing date of the job advertisement.