Core Functions / Responsibilities:
1. Provide technical inputs and information to support the development and implementation of a
holistic and systemic MHPSS strategy for IOM in South Sudan, in line with global IOM MHPSS
approaches and the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) guidelines for MHPSS in
emergencies.
2. Research potential programme development opportunities for MHPSS for Internally Displaced
Persons (IDPs) and host communities and provide technical inputs to support the development
of project proposals.
3. Contribute to knowledge management and capacity building by providing technical inputs and
guidance in the field of MHPSS to IOM MHPSS staff, psychosocial mobile teams and other
relevant actors, including line ministries, IDPs and host community members. Topics would
include basic psychosocial support skills, psychological first aid (PFA), and MHPSS guidelines.
4. Monitor the quality of the IOM psychosocial mobile teams, composed of counsellors and
animators/facilitators who provide multi-layered MHPSS services in target communities,
recommend qualified personnel, and provide ongoing training and supervision.
5. Check that the programme has adequate referral pathways in place for access to
multi-layered MHPSS services, especially for services that IOM cannot directly provide. Bring
issues to the prompt attention of the supervisor.
6. Encourage and facilitate the integration of MHPSS elements into IOM’s transition and
recovery programming, including in processes geared towards social cohesion and
reconciliation, and the establishment of support groups.
7. In close coordination with M&E colleagues, contribute to the development and maintenance
of the MHPSS Monitoring and Evaluation framework and the database with clinical/casework
undertaken. Collect and collate statistics for analysis and sharing of information for weekly,
monthly, and/or quarterly reports.
8. Draft reports covering MHPSS related activities, including weekly and monthly reports,
briefing and background notes and specific information requested by IOM or other entities.
9. Closely coordinate and liaise with other agencies and key actors, and participate in
Inter-Cluster Working Group (ICWG), cluster meetings, working groups, and mapping, planning
and reporting exercises.
10. In close coordination with the National Technical Working Group Co-Lead (Ministry of
Health), provide technical, administrative and logistical assistance to the MHPSS Technical
Working Group in Juba, and to the IOM MHPSS Project Assistants in Bentiu for MHPSS TWGs.
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11. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.
Required Qualifications and Experience:
Education
• Master’s degree in Psychiatry, Psychology, Social Work, Counselling, Pedagogy or a related
field from an accredited academic institution with two years of relevant professional experience;
or,
• University degree in the above fields with four years of relevant professional experience.
Experience
• Experience in mental health and/or scalable psychological interventions in emergencies;
• Experience in working in large scale complex humanitarian emergencies (previous working
experience in South Sudan is an advantage);
• Experience in providing or supporting community-based MHPSS services to displaced
populations, migrants, refugees or conflict affected populations;
• Experience supervising the implementation of MHPSS projects and supervising and training
MHPSS staff;
• Experience in protection related programming in emergency, including GBV and Child
protection is an advantage;
• Experience and/or knowledge of UN and international agencies structures;
• Experience in capacity building activities and curriculum development is an advantage;
• Experience in designing and implementing problem management and projects is desirable;
and,
• Experience in community engagement, dialogue and conflict transformation is desirable.
Skills
• Theoretical and practical knowledge of the IASC MHPSS in Emergency Settings Guidelines
and associated products;
• Strong networking capacities for constructive relationships with all humanitarian actors, donors
and relevant government line ministries;
• Familiarity with the humanitarian architecture (cluster system), humanitarian appeals,
humanitarian response plans and common humanitarian funds;
• Advocacy and negotiation skills;
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and discretion in appropriate areas of work;
• Ability to develop and/or implement culturally relevant psychotherapeutic interventions and
knowledge of the psychosocial impact of forced displacement; and,
• Knowledge of mental health Gap action program (mhGAP) for supporting the Ministry of Health
in implementation of holistic psychiatric care, in coordination with WHO and other partners.
Languages
IOM’s official languages are English, French, and Spanish. All staff members are required to be
fluent in one of the three languages.
For this position, fluency in English is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of Arabic
is an advantage.
Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process,
which may include written and/or oral assessments.