3 Psychologists

Reporting to: Project Officer   NGO PRESENTATION   Handicap International is an independent and impartial international aid organisation working in situations of poverty and exclusion, conflict and disaster. Working alongside persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups, our action and testimony are focused on responding to their essential needs, improving their living conditions and promoting respect for their dignity and their fundamental rights.   Handicap International is a not-for-profit organisation with no religious or political affiliation. It operates as a federation made up of a network of associations that provide it with human and financial resources, manage its projects and implement its actions and social mission.   HI has been present in the Middle East since 1987 through its Development Department. HI started from early April 2012 a new project at the regional level aiming at the recognition and respect of the rights of PwD by the authorities and institutions, through the reinforcement of the Disabled People’s Organisations (DPO) and the disability movement at large. In Lebanon, in addition to the regional project, HI has been implemented a project aiming at improving the access to mental health rehabilitation services for the children with psychological distress living in the Palestinian camps. At last, in 2010, HI established the only humanitarian demining capacity in northern Lebanon (Batroun Region) Action Center (LMAC) in achieving its goal of making Lebanon mine impact free by 2020.      MISSION CONTEXT   Following the yearlong crisis in the Syrian Arab Republic, that has caused the displacement of civilians in Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan, Handicap International is implementing projects in Lebanon and Jordan, aiming at mitigating the impact of the crisis on the Syrian refugees and the host communities.   In Lebanon as well as in Jordan, Handicap International aims to improve the access to emergency rehabilitation cares for the Syrian refugees at hospital and community level and to improve the coverage of the specific needs of the most vulnerable people affected by the crisis at the community level. In Lebanon, the targeted areas are the Bekaa Valley and Tripoli, whereas in Jordan, the targeted area is the northern region closed to the boarder.   In Bekaa, Handicap International aims to improve the coverage of basics and specific needs of the most vulnerable people affected by the crisis at the community level, and by developing a tailored response to improve conditions of life during winter period. In Tripoli, Handicap International aims to provide direct support to syrian injured refugies at hospital and community level. Besides, HI aims to improve the coverage of specific needs for vulnerable persons in the North.     GLOBAL OBJECTIVE OF THE POSITION   To ensure the quality of the assessment, the analysis and the reporting of psychological and psychosocial issues in the refugee population, in support to the social workers. To answer to the identified needs, by providing direct psychosocial support and refer internally and externally as needed, respecting confidentiality and the rights of the beneficiary. To conduct specific psychosocial group activities (adapted and appropriate to each one’s specific needs and capacities). To produce regular reports on activities, assessments, follow-up and other related documents to ensure the quality and reporting of the project. Participate and contribute to the analysis and reporting of global issues in the refugee population, with a focus on psychosocial and psychological issues.   RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS Under the direct responsibility of the disability and vulnerability focal point (DVFP) Project Officer, and in close collaboration with the pluridisciplinary DVFP team (social workers, psychosocial workers, physiotherapists), and with the support of the Psychosocial Technical Advisor, you will have:    1)      To ensure the quality of the assessment, the analysis and the reporting of psychological and psychosocial issues in the refugee population, in support to the social workers:   In collaboratio with the social workers, evaluate the needs of people identified with psychosocial and psychological issues and/or directly assess the needs as required. Write specific reports for critical cases. Write technical advices on referral forms to send to partners. In support to the social workers, analyse the needs at family and community level to prepare adapted group response. To contribute to the identification of training needs of the teams, especially the social workers, in order to improve their assessment skills.   2)      To answer to the identified needs, by providing direct psychosocial support and refer internally and externally as needed, respecting confidentiality and the rights of the beneficiary:   To answer to internal referrals from the social workers for further psychological assessment. In collaboration with the social workers, to provide psychosocial support at the individual and family level.   Refer beneficiaries with specific needs of specialized psychological support to external services and follow-up on all referrals, in coordination with your line manager, following the appropriate strategy of the project. Visit and discuss with beneficiaries before referring and ensuring mediation if needed with other stakeholders. In collaboration with the social workers, participate to mediation between beneficiaries and families or between families and other structures. Ensure a neutral and respectful position within mediation and in regard of HI mandates. Facilitate peer to peer approach, if possible. Organize and implement more specific psychosocial support activities through different methods including mediation activities such as different kinds of creative or recreational activities, group discussions, group daily activities, etc… Participate to the discussions and decision making in the frame of case management meetings.     3)      To conduct specific psychosocial group activities (adapted and appropriate to each one’s specific needs and capacities):   Conduct discussion groups with individuals, families, hosting families and communities, neighbours. Conduct support groups with particular groups affected by the crisis such as injured people, isolated/discriminated people, etc.    When needed/possible, work with the partners and volunteers to create and implement social activities in the centres and the communities. Ensure a qualitative follow up of the beneficiaries participating to group activities.   Reporting of activities and evolution of the beneficiaries’ psychosocial situation.   4)      To produce regular reports on activities, assessments, follow-up and other related documents to ensure the quality and reporting of the project:   Reports on a weekly basis about activities planned and implemented. Analyses and reports on beneficiaries’ psychosocial status. Ensure a daily quantitative and qualitative reporting through the tools (assessment form, follow up form, group activity reporting tool, discharge form which includes the final assessment of the beneficiary’s psychosocial status) and system in place. Organization of the weekly plan within the multi-disciplinary team, with the support of DVFP PO. Any other reports to be made upon line manager request.   5)      Participate and contribute to the analysis and reporting of global issues in the refugee population; and participation to impact surveys with a focus on psychosocial and psychological issues:   In formal and informal meetings with the team, participate to a qualitative analysis of the different kinds of issues, at individual, family and community level. Participate to report with the tools and the internal system all issues identified. Be part of a constructive holistic team to develop a qualitative analysis and response for disable and vulnerable people.     CANDIDATE’S REQUIREMENTS KNOWLEDGE Psychosocial support and mental health Psychology Community-based approach   SKILLS Good communication and listening skills Common sense Proactive Computer and reporting skills PERSONAL QUALITIES Adaptation to specific working conditions Capacity to work in team and autonomously Capacity to work in an multidisciplinary and multicultural team Dynamism, high level of motivation Flexibility and availability Interest in field work Willingness to learn new skills and/or approaches Good capacity to interact with members of the team and different communities   LANGUAGES Arabic English or French is mandatory Both English and French is an asset   EXPERIENCE Experience in psychosocial support mandatory INGO working experience is an asset Years of experience: Minimum 1 year