Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Officer at International Rescue Committee
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world’s largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities.
A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you’re a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.
Context
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is a non-political, non-profit, non-religious humanitarian organization serving refugees worldwide. The IRC implements programs to promote sustainable solutions for displaced persons, refugees, and host communities through health, sanitation, shelter, rehabilitation, and education projects. IRC has been serving refugees since 1933 and is present in 40 countries in Europe, Africa, and Asia, as well as through a resettlement support program in the United States. IRC is an organization committed to freedom, human dignity, and self-reliance. This commitment translates into well-planned resettlement assistance, global emergency aid, rehabilitation, and advocacy for refugees.
IRC began operations in Cameroon in 2016 to respond to the growing concerns of people affected by Boko Haram-related violence in the Far North region of the country. Assistance to displaced populations extends throughout the Far North, particularly in Diamaré, Mayo Sava, Mayo Tsanaga, and Logone & Chari through the field office in Maroua. IRC implements programs to increase access to water and improve hygiene practices in vulnerable displaced and host communities, as well as cash transfer programs to enable economically disadvantaged families to meet basic needs and improve food security. This includes both education and child protection services to address children’s learning and safety needs and priorities. IRC also offers protection programs to combat gender-based violence against women and girls and to support victims of human rights violations.
Following the escalating crisis in the North-West and South-West regions of Cameroon, IRC expanded its operations in the South-West region in 2018 and in the North-West in 2019. IRC provides vital humanitarian assistance to internally displaced populations, with field bases in Buea, Mamfe and Bamenda.
Job Overview / Summary
Ongoing crisis in the South-West and North West, has severely impacted the mental wellbeing of individuals and communities, with growing incidences of self-harm being reported in affected communities. The drivers and associated risk factors of mental health issues are varied and complex including, amongst others, physical, sexual, and emotional violence, socio economic conditions, discrimination and exclusion, gender norms, being parents themselves, being in humanitarian and fragile settings, as well as a lack of access to quality support and services.
Failing to address mental health issues amongst IDPs and host communities can impact their physical and mental health. Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) is recognized as a cross cutting issue for sectors addressing health and social welfare of affected persons. MHPSS describes any type of local or outside support that aims to protect or promote psychosocial well[1] being and/or prevent or treat mental disorder. It is therefore, by definition, a multi-sectoral issue. Within the work of IRC, MHPSS activities do not constitute a separate sector, but are mainly realized within existing sectors and work fields such as community-based protection, child protection, and SGBV. The main task of the MHPSS Officer is to build and maintain capacity for MHPSS interventions within IRC to foster delivery of quality MHPSS interventions for internally displaced persons and host communities.
Main responsibilities
The MHPSS Officer will provide technical and programmatic oversight of IRC’s MHPSS interventions in the South-West Region directly contributing to the achievement of programmatic outcomes under the ECHO-funded project. The incumbent will be responsible for the following:
Technical Quality of MHPSS Interventions
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Lead/support the design of MHPSS interventions, tools and materials, leading training, and coaching IRC staff.
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Undertake regular site visits to assess MHPSS needs of persons of concern, with attention to people with specific needs.
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Support staff welfare in identification, recommendation, and referral of mental health related matters among staff
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Support the development of functional referral and follow-up mechanisms between community, MHPSS services and protection partners.
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Provide mental health and psychosocial support services along with health staff as needed.
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Actively lead or participate in coordination mechanisms related to MHPSS in the area (e.g. Health, general coordination, potential MHPSS coordination group) and advocate for principles of IASC MHPSS guidelines.
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Ensure compliance of implementing partners (where applicable), with global protection policies and standards of professional integrity in the delivery of MHPSS services.
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Assist in assessing the MHPSS needs of persons of concern (people with high priority needs and or persons with complex or severe problems), initiate treatment and define appropriate follow up interventions.
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Implement/oversee social and recreational activities in different affected communities, for PROL, WPE and CP activities. – Share information on MHPSS services: when where and how to access the services, provide feedback or complaint on services provided or staff conduct etc.
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Establish communication with communities’ mechanisms to address stigmatization and quality of rights in mental health.
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Coach, train, and mentor staff with the aim of strengthening their technical capacity, exchanging knowledge within the team, and providing professional development guidance on MHPSS.
Integrated Protection
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Supervise CP, WPE and PROL case management activities of partners: ensuring client files are complete and reflect protection assessment, case planning and all assistance or referrals provided;
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Ensure respect of relevant SoPs and case management standards and protocols…
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Organize regular case meetings to review cases and case management documentation.
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Share any complex case with Protection Coordinator and the Project Manager for timely technical support.
Reporting
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Working closely with the ECHO Senior Project Manager and PROL Team, design reporting templates for MHPSS activities and ensure regular reporting of MHPSS activities.
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Ensure completion of MHPSS monthly internal report highlighting progress of activities, trends, and contextual changes for reporting to region and external stakeholders.
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Support partners in reporting project activities, especially case management;
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Support periodic reporting of project activities for internal and donor use in close collaboration with the Project Manager.
Others
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Adhere to and act in accordance with the IRC Cameroon HR Policies and Procedures and communicate through word and example a high standard of compliance with all applicable policies and regulations.
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The description above is not exhaustive; other tasks may be assigned to the employee depending on their skills and the focus of the project.
Minimum Qualifications
Required expertise, qualifications, and competencies, including language requirements:
Education
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Master’s level Degree or equivalent in social work, mental health, psychology or related fields, or a combination of bachelor’s degree with significant work experience (3 years+) in the mentioned fields.
Knowledge And Experience
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Minimum 3 – 5 years of specialized experience in community based psychosocial support interventions particularly as it relates to social norm change, and experience in this field at international level in a humanitarian context.
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Demonstrated knowledge of IASC Guidelines on MHPSS in Emergency Settings.
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Demonstrated experience on counseling skills and clinical supervision of lay counsellors.
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Demonstrated experience developing technical curriculum and materials for delivery of MHPSS programming/activities in low resource settings.
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Strong training and supervision experience required.
Required Skillset
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Strong skills in communication including clear and concise writing skills and the ability to discuss MHPSS in an accessible and intelligible manner.
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Strong interpersonal skills including for effective relationship management. Skilled in facilitating collective decision-making and consensus building.
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Analytical thinking to support strategizing for the strengthening of MHPSS and protection interventions.
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Experience in capacity building/training organization and post-training follow-up
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Good knowledge of the intervention area and local languages of the project area
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Good communication skills
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Organizational skills and attention to detail
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Be able to take relevant initiatives for the program as needed
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Be available to travel to the target areas for services
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Willingness and ability to work in a volatile environment;
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Strong resistance to stress and ability to work at a fast pace in emergency situations;
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Have acceptable computer skills, specifically in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint;
Languages
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Fluency in oral and written English is required.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and the position may be closed before the deadline once a suitable candidate is identified.
Standards of Professional Conduct: IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC WAY – Standards of Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality.
Safeguarding: Strictly adhere to IRC’s Child and Adult Safeguarding Policy and all other policies, including those related to security and fraud prevention.
In line with safeguarding, the IRC has policies on protecting beneficiaries/clients from exploitation and abuse, child protection, anti-harassment in the workplace, fiscal integrity, and anti-retaliation.
Equal opportunity employer: The IRC is an equal opportunity employer. IRC considers all job applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, gender, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Diversity, Inclusion, and Gender Equality: IRC recognizes and honors the fundamental value and dignity of all individuals. We are an equal opportunity employer and consider all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, gender, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability. IRC is also committed to reducing the gender gap in leadership positions.
We offer benefits that provide an environment conducive to women participating in our workforce, including parental leave, gender-sensitive safety protocols, and other supportive benefits.
PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS
All International Rescue Committee workers must adhere to the core values and principles outlined in IRC Way – Standards for Professional Conduct. Our Standards are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Safeguarding, Conflicts of Interest, Fiscal Integrity, and Reporting Wrongdoing and Protection from Retaliation.
IRC is committed to take all necessary preventive measures and create an environment where people feel safe, and to take all necessary actions and corrective measures when harm occurs. IRC builds teams of professionals who promote critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity to deliver the best possible services to our clients.
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