Job Description
The humanitarian situation in Libya has deteriorated since the 2014 civil war. According to the United Nations Humanitarian Response Plan for 2018, 1.1 million people are in need of protection and essential and lifesaving assistance, including health, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), food security, shelter and non-food items (NFI), and longer-term assistance like access to education, of which 1.05 million require urgent health assistance. In response, the IRC launched an emergency program in September 2016 in Libya that provided medical care, medicines, and medical supplies in hospitals and primary health care centers (PHCCs) in Misrata. Since then, the IRC’s health programming has expanded to a mobile health team model (MHT), made up of Libyan staff, to provide primary health care services in PHCCs in Misrata and Sirte, and in two detention centers in Tripoli. As the IRC tries to integrate programming wherever possible, the MHT in Misrata also includes GBV case managers, targeting women and children. In addition, IRC is currently finalizing the establishment of a UNHCR-funded community development center, which will provide primary health care services to refugees, as well as serve as a women’s safe space.
IRC Libya is currently undergoing an expansion, with increased Health system strengthening-focused interventions in Tripolitania, Cyrenaica and Fezzan under which the IRC will provide primary health care services and capacity building to MoH staff including on mental health.
JOB SUMMARY
The Mental health and psycho-social support (MHPSS) Specialist will be responsible for supporting the integration of mental health into primary health care service delivery in the PHCC’s, detention centers and urban settlements in line with WHO mhGAP Intervention Guidelines. The position requires strong emphasis in training and developing the capacity of national staff; the successful candidate should therefore have experience in training, on the job supervision and mentoring, coordination and in building referral links to the other formal service providers and informal community supports. The MHPSS Specialist will work towards building the capacity of MHPSS staff GP’s in particular providing them with training and supervision within the context of WHO and IASC guidelines. The MHPSS Specialist will work and coordinate with the Health coordinator and health managers very closely and will also work in collaboration with the HQ based IRC MH Technical Advisor. The MHPSS specialist, will work to train and supervise PHC staff on mental health service delivery per WHO mhGAP Intervention Guidelines in the selected locations .The selected candidate will work in close coordination with existing health teams including GP’s, nurses, psychologist and CHW’s. In addition, s/he will work towards building the capacity of medical staff in particular providing them with supervision on mhGAP and integration of mental health into primary health care.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES
• Assist in setting up the mental health PHC integration program in line with WHO mhGAP and IRC MHPSS guidelines together with the national IRC psychiatrists
• Participate in fostering IRC’s health and protection integrated programming through identification and implementation of MHPSS internal referral pathways
• Conduct field visits to monitor and support MHPSS activities and interventions provided, and support technical quality of programming by providing feedback and mentorship.
• Provide training and on the-job-supervision in the identification and management of priority mental health conditions to general health staff in line with WHO mhGAP Humanitarian Intervention Guidelines (WHO mhGAP-IG) and in coordination with national authorities.
• Work closely with IRC and Non IRC psychiatrists to better understand international MH and PSS guidelines including mhGAP-IG, IASC and Sphere standards through trainings and bi-lateral discussions.
• Identify and train local outreach workers, CHWs/volunteers for training in community outreach, case finding and mental health promotion.
• Ensure completion and analysis of pre post knowledge tests and on the job supervision checklists as well as IMC mental health PHC integration checklists.
• Take responsibility for collection and reporting of mental health project data including HMIS reporting and patient outcomes (e.g. functioning scale, client satisfaction surveys).
• Actively participate in coordination mechanisms, represent the IRC in the MHPSS Sub-working group and advocate for principles of IASC MHPSS guidelines.
• Assist in developing and implementing data collection, M&E and quality control measures (e.g. on the job supervision checklists, client satisfaction measures mhGAP training reports) for mental health services, and community-based psycho-social activities.
• Working on donors’ reporting and contribute to proposal development.
• Implement the project in line with IRC and global MHPSS standards and guidelines and closely coordinate with IRCs Mental Health Technical Advisor for development and review of training materials, documentation and reports.
• Ensure proper documentation of all trainings sharing copies with MHPSS team data management, M&E, and reporting.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Health Coordinator
KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
• Position reports to: Health Coordinator
• Closely collaborate with: Senior Health Manager, Health Manager, Integrated protection coordinator, Clinical Psychiatrists.
Qualifications:
• Psychiatrist (preferably) or psychologist with minimum four years of experience working on MH and PSS programs, preferably in humanitarian settings,
• Familiarity with IASC Guidelines and MHPSS in Emergency Settings,
• Trained on Psychological First Aid, familiar with mhGAP manual (various versions IG and HIG) and community based MH training material as well as previous training experience to multi-cultural groups,
• Fluency in English. Knowledge of Arabic will be an asset.
Experience
• Training and supervision experience required.
• Strong organizational and supervisory skills and interpersonal skills with the ability to work within different cultural environment.
• Ability to work within a team structure or in isolation, flexible, and can cope with stressful workloads and working with limited resources.
• Trained on Psychological First Aid, familiar with mhGAP manual (various versions IG and HIG) and community based MH training material as well as previous training experience to multicultural groups;
• Experience in mental health and protection work with displaced persons, refugees, returnees /
• Excellent command of the use of Microsoft Office especially Outlook, Work, Excel and Power Point;
• Good communication, teamwork skills and ability to work independently;
• Previous NGO experience in a crisis setting.
Working Environment
The position will be based in Tripoli with shared housing, with frequent travel to Misrata (Libya) and Tunis (Tunisia).
More Information
- Job City Tripoli