Mental Health Psychosocial Support Officer

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.

Duty Station:- Makuye Woreda

Job Overview & Key Responsibilities

Under the supervision of Senior HO, the MHPSSO role involves designing and implementing tailored MHPSS interventions for refugees, including counseling, psychoeducation, and support groups. It also includes training and mentoring frontline workers in psychosocial support and trauma-informed care. Additionally, the position focuses on integrating MHPSS across sectors, including but not limited to the responsibilities outlined below.

• Design, implement, and monitor MHPSS interventions tailored to the needs of refugees, including Psychological First Aid (PFA), group and individual psychoeducation, mental health awareness sessions, support group sessions, and individual counseling.
• Train and mentor frontline workers, community volunteers, and other staff on basic psychosocial support skills, PFA and trauma-informed care.
• Conduct needs assessments and contributes to the development of context-specific MHPSS strategies.
• Collaborate with Health, Protection, WASH and Education teams to integrate MHPSS into broader programming, using the MHPSS-MSP.
• Support in the establishment of referral pathways for individuals requiring specialized mental health services or other services.
• Ensure culturally sensitive and trauma-informed approaches in all activities.
• Follow up on the collection of MHPSS specific data and do analysis for informed decision-making during project implementation period.
• Represent the organization in coordination forums, advocate for the MHPSS needs and liaise with relevant stakeholders.

Safeguarding responsibilities

• Promote and actively participate in initiatives and efforts to build team engagement, inclusion and cohesion in IRC [team/office]
• Foster ongoing learning, honest dialogue and reflection to strengthen safeguarding and to promote IRC values and adherence to IRC policies

Job Requirement

Educational Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in psychology or related field

Relevant work experience

• Minimum 2 years of experience in MHPSS programming, preferably in humanitarian or refugee settings.
• Trained in basic psychosocial support such as PSS, PFA and stress management, evidence based psychological interventions such as gPM+, IPT-G, SH+, PIPA and mhGAP.
• Proven experience in providing training and capacity building.
• Strong understanding of IASC MHPSS guidelines and WHO mental health standards.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and interpersonal skills.
• Fluency in English language is mandatory and Amharic and local language is a plus.
• Experience in working with refugees, IDPs and survivors of gender-based violence (GBV).
• Familiarity with PSS activities in safe spaces, multi-sectoral assessment and coordination systems
• Knowledge of local mental health services and cultural practices.

Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

Disclaimer: - Please note that IRC will never request applicants or candidates to make any form of payment at any stage of the recruitment process.

IRC is an equal employment opportunity employer.  IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability.

IRC strives to build a diverse and inclusive team at all levels who as individuals, and as a group, embody our culture statement creating a working environment characterized by critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity for us to achieve our aspirations as a team and deliver the best possible services to our clients.

Gender Equality: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols, and other supportive benefits and allowances.

Standard of Professional Conduct: The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality.

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