Mental Health & Psychosocial Support Coordinator at International Medical Corps

Project Location: Somalia Mission

Hierarchical Supervisor: Medical Director

Functional/Technical Support: MHPSS Advisor

Opening Date: 3rd September 2021

Closing Date: 17th September 2021

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.

Program Background

For close to three decades, International Medical Corps (IMC) has been working in Somalia making critical contributions to saving lives, alleviating human suffering, and reducing the economic and social impact of disasters in Somalia. IMC has achieved this through integrated health, nutrition, water sanitation and hygiene (WASH), and livelihoods interventions targeting the most vulnerable men, women and children, including IDPs and those affected by droughts, floods and conflicts.

Prolonged conflict and instability have impacted on the mental and psychological well-being of the Somali people. It is estimated that one in three Somalis has been affected by some kind of mental illness, a prevalence which is higher than in other low-income and war-torn countries.

According to WHO Mental Health Atlas 2014, more than 45% of the world papulation lives in a country where there is less than 1 psychiatrist for every 100,000 people. It clear that relying solely on specialists to provide services for people affected by mental, neurological and substance use disorders would prevent

millions of people from accessing the support they need. 2010 WHO data for mental health practitioners in Somalia indicates 3 psychiatrists,19 fully trained social workers and 33 Others.

The practice of keeping people with mental disorders in chains is common in Somalia, a sign of a lack of adequate awareness of mental health conditions and mental health care services. The Chain-Free Initiative aims to restore the rights and dignity of persons with mental disorders by advocating for chain- free hospitals, chain-free homes and a chain-free environment where people with mental health conditions can receive treatment and care they deserve in a dignified manner.

In line with WHO mhGAP Intervention guide or approach, Somalia National treatment guideline, and Somali Mental Health Strategy 2014 – 2020 goal of strengthening the integrated response of the health sector with evidence-based treatment and achievable plans for the promotion of mental health and the treatment and rehabilitation of mental and neurological disorders, IMC proposes to manage mental, neurological and substance (MNS) use disorders or conditions at OPD level in its health facilities across four regions in Somalia( Benadir, Middle Shabelle, Mudug and Bay regions).

Job Summary

The Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Coordinator will oversee all MHPSS programming for the country’s response and will manage the MHPSS team as well as monitor IMC’s partnership with local partners for the implementation of various MHPSS projects.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function with or without reasonable accommodation. The duties and responsibilities listed are representative of the nature and level of work assigned and are not necessarily all inclusive.

• Coordinate the MHPSS programming for the country, including strategy development and monitoring of multiple
• Manage the MHPSS team, including field-based MHPSS managers, psychiatrists, and national MHPSS staff; support with team building, performance reviews, and professional development of staff
• Closely work with local NGO partner(s) and relevant government focal points for the implementation and monitoring of MHPSS projects
• Provide continual technical guidance and support for MHPSS-related trainings and supervision as needed
• Prepare and implement a Training of Trainers (ToT) program on PFA and other relevant topics and support national trainers to roll out trainings
• Support the development of MHPSS referral pathways with partner NGO(s) and external service providers to strengthen links to available MHPSS- and Protection-related services
• In collaboration with local partners, engage community leaders, community-based organizations, and other service providers in supporting beneficiaries to access MHPSS services as well as ensuring their feedback for quality monitoring and accountability
• Lead the development of MHPSS-related IEC materials
• Oversee monitoring and evaluation of MHPSS programming, and development of M&E tools and collection and analysis of program data
• Prepare MHPSS reporting on a regular basis, as the focal point for the   MHPSS team Work closely with support departments to support program administration and the logistical implementation of activities in program sites
• Implement the project in line with IMC and global MHPSS standards and guidelines and closely coordinate with IMC’s Technical Unit Global Mental Health Advisor for development and review of training materials and
• Coordinate regularly with other sectors’ teams for integrated approach to activities and trainings Mainstream MHPSS within IMC across sectors, and with partners and service providers Participate in MHPSS coordination meetings for information sharing, collaboration with partners, referral mechanisms, and advocacy for best practices and IASC MHPSS guidelines

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

Skills & Qualifications

• The qualified candidate will be a mental health professional (psychologist, clinical social worker, psychiatrist, or psychiatric nurse) with experience in MHPSS program coordination
• Minimum of 4 years of professional experience coordinating MHPSS projects in humanitarian settings
• Knowledgeable in and experience following IASC Guidelines on MHPSS in Emergencies and international best practices on the integration of MHPSS into primary health care settings
• Demonstrable technical expertise in the assessment, design, and delivery of responses to pre- existing and emergency induced MHPSS needs
• Training experience required; capacity and proven track record in national staff and partner training and capacity-building
• Strong organizational and supervisory skills
• Honest, hardworking, and self-motivated
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work within different cultural environments
• Strong written and communication skills
• Ability to work within a team structure or independently, flexible, and can cope with stressful workload
• An excellent command of verbal and written English

Salary for the position: Maximum monthly gross salary, USD 2500 USD, based on experience paid in local currency.