Psychologist 134 views0 applications

The Organisation

Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organisation that advances children’s rights and equality for girls.

We believe in the power and potential of every child. But this is often suppressed by poverty, violence, exclusion and discrimination. And it’s girls who are most affected.

Working together with children, young people, our supporters and partners, we strive for a just world, tackling the root causes of the challenges facing girls and all vulnerable children.

We support children’s rights from birth until they reach adulthood. And we enable children to prepare for – and respond to – crises and adversity. We drive changes in practice and policy at local, national and global levels using our reach, experience and knowledge.

We have been building powerful partnerships for children for over 80 years, and are now active in more than 70 countries.

The Psychologist will ensure the emotional and social wellbeing of the children supported by PLAN by supporting quality implementation of Psychosocial Support programmes within the Plan International Emergency Response in

Kigoma region. The position holder in coordination with staff in child protection particularly case management, Psychosocial Support (PSS) and Community Based teams as well as partners will ensure that refugee children receive timely and appropriate structured psychosocial support services. S/he will also be facilitating training for the PSS staff on key topics including but not limited to PSS, Psychological first aid and other related topics.

Key Responsibilities of Position:

• Provide on-going technical support to staff implementing psychosocial support activities in Child Friendly Spaces, Youth Centres and the community
• Undertake assessments of psychological or Psychosocial needs, risk assessments and psychometric testing, if needed
• Facilitate capacity building sessions for key staff teams including social workers as well as associates such as incentive workers and partners on PSS, Psychological first aid, and effectively communicating with children and youth in distress among others
• Identify online courses on PSS and other related theme for staff to undertake in order to build there capacity
• Develop and update work plans for the implementation of PSS activities
• Develop and put in place the necessary tools to evaluate the outcomes of Psychosocial support interventions
• Writing reports and record keeping of all information regarding activities (data, weekly reports, monthly reports), respecting quality standards.
• Collaborate with key agencies, local authorities and organizations for the provision of Provide psychosocial support (as needed) to affected children and young people in all Plan’s activities and sometimes there families as well.
• Represent PLAN in relevant working groups such as the MHPSS WG and others as will be required
• Empower staff teams especially those managing Integrated CFSs and case management to be able to identify children with Psychosocial issues and how to provide psychological first aid in the absence of a psychologist
• Work in close collaboration with the Case Management and other coordinators to ensure that the psychosocial well-being of children and young people is addressed
• Support teams in addressing the special needs of beneficiaries that face psychological issues and the consequences this has on their families and community.
• Responsible for ensuring the provision of individual and group counselling/discussion for beneficiaries and caregivers in order to facilitate his/her community integration
• Support staff teams in the ICFSs and case management to ensure that PSS spaces are according to standard and records management including databases is effective
• Identify and work with management to equip centres and office with relevant PSS materials including manuals or books, IEC among others

Communications and Working Relationships:

• S/He will work closely with all the staff in the emergency response
• S/He maintains a functional working relationship with the Monitoring Evaluation Accountability Learning Manager for the Refugee Response to enhance data collection and reporting.
• The position holder will be required to demonstrate attributes such as honesty and trustworthiness, respectfulness, possess cultural awareness and sensitivity, be flexible and demonstrate sound work ethics.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Hold a Bachelor degree in psychology preferably child/ developmental psychology, Counselling or Clinical Psychology or equivalent. A master’s degree will be an added advantage
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in related field
• Demonstrate good understanding of mental health and psychosocial support practices in a similar position
• Experience with refugees will be an added advantage
• Interpersonal and psychotherapeutic skills
• Patience and stress management
• Good knowledge of computer applications
• Good training abilities
• Capacity to work under pressure

Key Behaviours:

• Relates to people in a friendly, open and accepting manner
• Ability to explore emotional issues with beneficiaries and sensitive approach to deal with
• Cultural awareness and sensitivity
• Timely and accurate in executing his/her duty
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and representation
• Critical thinking and strategic planning
• Has a positive impact on those around them
• Demonstrate the ability to solve problems, be creative while providing support.Plan International’s Values in Practice
• We are open and accountable
• Promotes a culture of openness and transparency, including with sponsors and donors.
• Holds self and others accountable to achieve the highest standards of integrity.
• Consistent and fair in the treatment of people.
• Open about mistakes and keen to learn from them.
• Accountable for ensuring we are a safe organisation for all children, girls & young people
• We strive for lasting impact
• Articulates a clear purpose for staff and sets high expectations.
• Creates a climate of continuous improvement, open to challenge and new ideas.
• Focuses resources to drive change and maximise long-term impact, responsive to changed priorities or crises.
• Evidence-based and evaluates effectiveness.
• We work well together
• Seeks constructive outcomes, listens to others, willing to compromise when appropriate.
• Builds constructive relationships across Plan International to support our shared goals.
• Develops trusting and ‘win-win’ relationships with funders, partners and communities.
• Engages and works well with others outside the organization to build a better world for girls and all children.
• We are inclusive and empowering
• Seeks constructive outcomes, listens to others, willing to compromise when appropriate.
• Builds constructive relationships across Plan International to support our shared goals.
• Develops trusting and ‘win-win’ relationships with funders, partners and communities.
• Engages and works well with others outside the organization to build a better world for girls and all children.

Physical Environment and Demands:

• Typical work at the field with limited stay at the office
• May be required to work during weekends and holidays in order to ensure timely support and delivery, especially during emergencies.

Level of Contact with Children:

High contact: Frequent interaction with children