Organizational Context and Scope
IOM’s Approach to Protection promotes a coherent and accountable organizational role in safeguarding the rights of individuals across operational contexts, in line with the Inter-Agency Standing Committee definition. Working with States as primary duty bearers, IOM programs aim at ensuring full respect for the rights of the individual in accordance with the letter and the spirit of relevant bodies of laws to ensure that individuals’ and communities (rights holders)’ exposure to risks of violence are reduced and addressed and that their rights are upheld and needs fulfilled. This approach is implemented through operational pillars – thematic guidance, direct assistance, convening and dialogue, advocacy and communication, training and capacity building and data, research and learning – guided by core commitment to protection mainstreaming, accountability, inclusion, sustainability, systemic change and effective partnership.
The IOM Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) seeks to appoint Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Officer. Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Mission (CoM) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the supervision of the Migrant Protection Coordinator, the direct technical supervision of the Programme Coordinator (MHPSS), the Project Officer (MHPSS) will be responsible for the overall coordination and monitoring of MHPSS activities implemented in Kinshasa.
Responsibilities
1. Manage the overall implementation of MHPSS component of the project in line with IOM Rules and Regulations for migrants protection, AVR and provision of MHPSS services in Migrant Migration Reception Centers (MRCs). For any situation that requires emergency medical procedures, lifesaving care, or similar medical interventions, please refer the case to a licensed medical officer in line with international standards and IOM internal guidelines.
2. Provide technical and operational guidance to a multidisciplinary team composed by psychologists, social workers, arts and sports animators, and a social cohesion officer.
3. Develop a capacity building plan and coordinate the training of IOM’s mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) and social cohesion programme staff, and implementing partners in line with the IOM Manual on Community-Based MHPSS in Emergencies and Displacement and the IOM Technical Note Integrating MHPSS in Peace and Recovery Programming.
4. Liaise closely with governmental and non-governmental counterparts, including the National Mental Health Program and the Ministry of Health (DPS).
5. Represent IOM in relevant operational and technical MHPSS fora in Kinshasa and report on discussions, recommendations and follow-up actions.
6. Lead on training activities for governmental and non-governmental stakeholders, including community-based organisations (CBOs), community leadership and service providers related to migrants’ assistance.
7. Develop communication and informative materials, fostering protection and psychosocial support for migrants in transit.
8. Produce quality progress financial, narrative, and other reports related to the project activities; ensure timely submission and compliance with project management and M&E requirements.
9. Contribute to adequate information management on project related activities by providing regular updates, summaries, and other relevant materials, in coordination with the donor and relevant units at the country office.
10. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications and Experience
Education
- Master’s degree in Psychology, Social Work, Psychiatry, Social Sciences, Anthropology or a related field from an accredited academic institution with five years of relevant professional experience;
- University degree in the above fields with seven years of relevant professional experience; or;
- Professional accreditation from a recognized medical, psychological or counselling association-society is an advantage.
Accredited Universities are those listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database.
Experience
- Experience in project development, management and reporting;
- Experience in assessing and analysing MHPSS needs in complex emergency and post-conflict contexts;
- Experience in coordinating and providing multi-layered MHPSS services in AVR programs and Migration Reception Centers.
- Experience in working with peace brokers and small-scale community initiatives;
- Experience in clinical supervision and capacity building of mental health professionals and social workers is an asset;
- Experience working with migrants, refugees, internally displaced persons, survivors of gender-based violence (GBV);
- Knowledge and experience in facilitating training and developing training curricula; and,
- Prior work experience with international humanitarian organizations, non-government or
government institutions/organization in a multi-cultural setting.
Skills
- Previous participation to IOM corporate programme in “Psychosocial Interventions in Emergency and Displacement” will be considered an asset;
- Capacity to effectively coordinate actions with other implementing partners including from the emergency sector;
- Capacity to support adequate levels of information sharing between internal units, cluster partners, IOM and other emergency and post-recovery response actors;
- Demonstrated leadership skills and proven ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with persons of diverse cultural and national backgrounds;
- Proven interpersonal and teamwork skills;
- Excellent communication and report-writing skills;
- Knowledge of protection principles and IOM policies and procedures is an advantage; and,
- Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
All IOM staff members in all categories are required to be fluent in one of the IOM’s official languages (English, French, Spanish).
For this position, fluency in English and French is required (oral and written).
Working knowledge of Spanish is an advantage.
Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.
More Information
- Job City Democratic Republic of Congo
