Mental Health and Psychosocial Officer – IsraAID

JOB DESCRIPTION
Position: Mental Health and Psychosocial Officer
Contract type: Full-time position
Location: Roving (Based in Moyo)
Starting date: May 2021

Duration: 1 year with possibility to extend
ABOUT ISRAAID
ISRAAID is an Israeli non-governmental development and humanitarian aid
organization operating in 12 countries across the globe. ISRAAIDs work in Uganda and
Kenya is focused mainly on refugee relief, protection, and development, addressing the
dire protection and psychosocial needs of refugees in Palorinya refugee settlement, and
Kakuma and Kalobeyi settlement in Kenya. ISRAAID envisions to see that: Refugees
and host communities in protracted displacement and emergency-related contexts live
in a safe environment where they can reach self-reliance.
ISRAAID Uganda and Kenya is mandated of strengthening community-based and
institutional response, prevention, and coordination services/mechanisms and ensure
that communities’ dignity, rights, and safety are preserved and fulfilled, ISRAAID has
been operating in Uganda since 2015, and in Kenya, since 2014.
SUMMARY
ISRAAID Uganda and Kenya is looking for a mental health and psychosocial support specialist with experience in developing MHPSS modules and programs, and facilitating trainings and workshops in related topics. This position offers a unique opportunity to create and collaborate with key national stakeholders, UNHCR and institutions to develop a sustainable MHPSS mechanism.
CONTEXT
On 22nd March 2020, Uganda identified its first case of COVID-19. On the 30th March
2020, Uganda announced a lockdown, and this prompted ISRAAID to establish a call center, after which when the lockdown when was eased, ISRAAID introduced the door to door engagements to continue supporting the beneficiaries, children being primary, with
psychosocial support while abiding by the government COVID-19 guidelines.
As a result of COVID-19 and from the door-to-door engagements, ISRAAID noticed that
children in the refugee and host communities will likely face increasing threats to their safety and wellbeing- including mistreatment, gender-based violence and separation from caregivers.
These factors and the possibility of stigma, anxiety and discrimination increase children’s vulnerability to abuse and psychological distress. These factors risk children to mental health and psychosocial challenges.
ISRAAID seeks to support children through empowering teachers in schools with mental health and psychosocial support skills and also incorporating Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in the national curriculum.
a). Planning:
– Working together with the Program Manager in the field, ISRAAID’s Child Protection Technical Advisor, Country Director, and National partners to structure a comprehensive training module and accompanying supportive activities and materials as it pertains to local connect and identified needs.
– Liaise with relevant partners in Palorinya for the development of the MHPSS project in schools
– Create a work plan for training workshops for the community patrons and schools on Child protection and MHPSS
b). Training and Program Development:
– Identifying training and workshops needs in schools,
– Planning and facilitating training workshops and capacity building activities in accordance to programmatic objectives.
– Prepare work plans in English and document the activities and their process into a manual for future reference.
– Development of Training module and manual for MHPSS program
– Possibility of creating and piloting supportive materials which address MHPSS gaps in current syllabus and curriculum for schools – primary level
– Possibility of developing training module for ToT for the Teachers
– Additional workshops and support for stakeholders as identified
C). Reporting:
– Collecting information and data from the field and activities and report on a regular basis; weekly, Monthly, Quarterly, Mid year and Annually- using the appropriate reporting tools.
d). Representation:
– Build relationships with key stakeholders and seek out opportunities for growing MHPSS programing in schools. Representing ISRAAID in meetings at all levels in meetings pertaining MHPSS, through workshops, meeting, etc.
4) ESSENTIAL SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND COMPETENCIES
– A Bachelor’s Degree in Community Psychology, Psychology, Social Worker and Social Administration or equivalent from a recognized institution
– A Masters in the same fields is an added advantage
– At least 4 years’ experience in MHPSS response in humanitarian context ( Must possession).
– Solid experience in networking and capacity building
– Proven knowledge and experience in implementing education related projects
– Experience with curriculum development and group facilitation
– Proven ability to work independently, and adapt quickly to a changing and challenging environment
– Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to establish effective and working relationships with members of sectors,, culturally-sensitive, , and possesses patience in a changing environment and needs
– IT literate (Microsoft, Power Point, and finance packages).
– Willing to work and function in rough field conditions with limited resources
LANGUAGES
Fluency in written and spoken English
Fluency in spoken Madi and Swahili is highly desirable

How to apply
To apply for this position, all suitably qualified and interested candidates should
submit an updated CV and cover letter giving a day time telephone contact and email
addresses of 3(three) work related referees.

Application link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1ibND4M9VdJpogpmIU8VDycBrge8EZeQ34b-3MJt0xrE/edit?usp=sharing_eip&ts=6059fb0f&urp=gmail_link&gxids=7628