Regional Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Officer

Position Title: Regional Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Officer

Duty Station: Dakar, Senegal

Classification: Professional Staff, Grade P3

Type of Appointment: Fixed term, one year with possibility of extension

Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible

Closing Date: 28 August 2023

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations, and as the leading UN agency in the field of migration, works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.

Context:

In recent years, the Sub-Saharan Africa region has faced complex and worsening challenges, including conflicts, climate change, food crises, and epidemics with significant impact on human mobility. These challenges have amplified vulnerabilities and instability in the region. Irregular migration along the Mediterranean route remains to be increasingly dangerous for migrants. Crossing the Mediterranean is by far the deadliest route, with over 26,811 missing migrants recorded since 2014 in addition to those who perish along the desert. In addition, migrants are exposed to various forms of violence, abuse and exploitation, including trafficking in persons, during their migration journey and end up with varying physical and mental health issues and worsened economic status.

To address these issues, IOM and member states have collaborated on migration management, focusing on enhancing protection, combatting irregular migration and human trafficking while promoting regular, safe and orderly migration. With support from the European Union (EU), IOM has developed targeted interventions in 16 countries (Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan and The Gambia) to protect the safety, dignity and rights of migrants along this important and dangerous migration route and to help in improving the reintegration of returnees through an innovative approach. This will be achieved through different types of interventions including protection and assistance to vulnerable and stranded migrants, provision of direct assistance through search and rescue support, identification, referral and direct assistance to vulnerable migrants, assistance for voluntary return, and support for sustainable reintegration.

Under the overall supervision of the Regional Director for West and Central Africa in Dakar, Senegal, the direct supervision of the Regional Programme Coordinator and the direct technical supervision of the Head, Mental Health and Psychosocial Response in IOM’s Regional Office in European Economic Area in Brussels, Belgium, and in close coordination with the relevant local counterparts, the Regional Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Officer will be responsible for defining the strategy for MHPSS components of the programme, harmonizing practices, setting standards and procedures, integrating psychosocial components into core protection and reintegration interventions, coordinating with regional and national bodies to ensure effective mental health and psychosocial support to address the evolving needs of migrants in the region through collaboration with relevant stakeholders, and providing capacity building support and guidance.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Supervise and coordinate the work of the international MHPSS Officers and national teams in the IOM Country Offices in Sub-Saharan Africa covered under the programme.
2. Harmonize practices, sets standards and develop Standard Operating Procedures (SoPs) and oversee trainings of teams throughout the programme activities, including, but not limited to the following tasks:

• Training of all operational, protection and medical staff in contact with migrants inPsychological First Aid and other related skills;
• Providing counselling and peer supports in transit areas;
• Establishing child, and women-and girls friendly corners in transit areas including appropriate social and recreational activities;
• Setting standards and procedures in the identification, assistance and referral of those with severe mental conditions and the relation with their families.

1. Conduct a participatory needs assessment and research on mental health needs of migrants at country and regional level.
2. Conduct the mapping of existing MHPSS services in the above-mentioned countries by liaising with and strengthening the existing MHPSS Technical Working Groups.
3. Conduct capacity building needs assessment and provide trainings to IOM teams and partners accordingly, using harmonized training curricula.
4. Contribute to the establishment of a reporting system able to statistical data, needs and trends and develop a robust MEAL framework.
5. Promote regional knowledge-sharing mechanisms and coordination efforts.
6. Liaise with WHO, UNHCR, UNICEF, Ministries of Health and Ministry of Social Affairs’ dedicated bodies at the regional and national level, in coordination with RO colleagues and IOM missions.
7. Coordinate closely with the Regional Migration Health and Protection Specialists and the Head of the Mental Health, Psychosocial Response and Intercultural Communication Unit, to define the strategy and approaches of the MHPSS components of the programme.
8. Liaise with Protection Division (PxD), Migration Health Division (MHD) technical specialists in the region to integrate psychosocial components and services in the protection and reintegration plans, including in the field of (i) mental health system strengthening in areas of return, (ii) social cohesion, (iii) integration of livelihood and psychosocial support.
9. Provide regular updates to the regional supervisor and the Head of the Mental Health, Psychosocial Response and Intercultural Communication Unit.
10. Mainstreaming Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) consideration in multiple sectors.
11. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in Social Work, Clinical Psychology, Counselling Psychology or Counselling or a related field from an accredited academic institution with five years of relevant professional experience; or
• University degree in the above fields with seven years of relevant professional experience;
• Participation to IOM summer school in psychosocial interventions in migration, emergency and displacement, or other corporate trainings on migration and psychosocial support is a distinctive advantage.

Experience

• Sound experience in psychosocial support in emergency settings;
• Sound experience in provision of integrated psychosocial support to migrants;
• Experience in designing case management and referral systems;
• Experience in project management and management of staff;
• Familiarity with reintegration needs of returning migrants;
• Counselling and training skills; and
• Proven experience in humanitarian settings is considered an advantage.

Skills

• Demonstrated writing skills; Good knowledge of IOM/UN;
• Resources and financial policies and staff rules and regulations;
• Excellent organization skills; analytical and creative thinking;
• Ability to prepare clear and concise reports;
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills as well as strong strategic and creative thinking;
• Efficiency, flexibility, high level of professionalism and ability to work under pressure and adhere to strict deadlines;
• Ability to work effectively and harmoniously with colleagues from varied cultures and professional backgrounds; and
• Ability to guide and supervise staff and coordinate administrative matters.

Languages

IOM’s official languages are English, French, and Spanish.

For this position, fluency in English and working knowledge of French is required (oral and written).

Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

Notes

Accredited Universities are the ones listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database (https://whed.net/home.php).

Required Competencies:

Values – all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these five values:

• Inclusion and respect for diversity: Respects and promotes individual and cultural differences. Encourages diversity and inclusion.
• Integrity and transparency: Maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.
• Professionalism: Demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.
• Courage: Demonstrates willingness to take a stand on issues of importance.
• Empathy: Shows compassion for others, makes people feel safe, respected and fairly treated.

Core Competencies – behavioural indicators level 2

• Teamwork: Develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.
• Delivering results: Produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner. Is action oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.
• Managing and sharing knowledge: Continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.
• Accountability: Takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own actions and delegated work.
• Communication: Encourages and contributes to clear and open communication. Explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.

Managerial Competencies – behavioural indicators level 2

• Leadership: Provides a clear sense of direction, leads by example and demonstrates the ability to carry out the Organization’s vision. Assists others to realize and develop their leadership and professional potential.
• Empowering others: Creates an enabling environment where staff can contribute their best and develop their potential.
• Building Trust: Promotes shared values and creates an atmosphere of trust and honesty.
• Strategic thinking and vision: Works strategically to realize the Organization’s goals and communicates a clear strategic direction.
• Humility: Leads with humility and shows openness to acknowledging own shortcomings.

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link.

https://www.iom.int/sites/default/files/about-iom/iom_revised_competency_framework_external.pdf

Competencies will be assessed during a competency-based interview.

Other:

Internationally recruited professional staff are required to be mobile.

Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.

This selection process may be used to staff similar positions in various duty stations. Recommended candidates endorsed by the Appointments and Postings Board will remain eligible to be appointed in a similar position for a period of 24 months.

The list of NMS countries above includes all IOM Member States which are non-represented in the Professional Category of staff members. For this staff category, candidates who are nationals of the duty station’s country and who do not have prior experience outside the duty station’s country as staff member in the Professional category cannot be considered eligible.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances. Subject to certain exemptions, vaccination against COVID-19 will in principle be required for individuals hired on or after 15 November 2021. This will be verified as part of the medical clearance process.

Vacancies close at 23:59 local time Geneva, Switzerland on the respective closing date. No late applications will be accepted.