Call for Application - Capacity Building Program: BRIDGES FOR LIFE: Building the capacities of Syrian Health and Mental Health professionals to address the needs of Torture Survivors

 

Arabic document attached

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES:

This call for Applications is launched within the context of RESTART CENTER’s Project: “BRIDGES FOR LIFE - Building the capacities of Syrian Health and Mental Health professionals to address the needs of Torture Survivor” funded by Development and Peace – Caritas Canada.

The Project aims at improving the knowledge, understanding and practice of Syrian health and mental health professionals to address the needs of torture survivors within the larger Syrian refugee community

 

 

ACTIONS:

This call for applications covers the following components:

• Module I: 2-days training modules on the Early Identification and referral of victims of torture, to 40 Syrian Health and Mental Health professionals (20 residing in Syria and the other 20 residing in Lebanon)

The aim of this training is to tackle the below aspects:

1. Identification:

• Introduction on the international legal framework for torture
• Who are the Victims of torture?
• Psychological and physical consequences of torture on the individual, family and community levels
• What is identification of VOTs? When can identification be executed? What are the limitations and challenges?
• Major mental disorders (PTSD, depression, anxiety..)

 

2. Referral:

• Mapping of resources
• Identifying and/or Creating networks
• Organizing awareness raising material and activities

 

• Module II:

 

1. A (2-Day) round Table with 10 Syrian Health and mental health professionals (out of the 40 participants that were trained under module I)

As a first phase, Restart’s rehabilitation model will be shared in details with the 10 selected Syrian health and mental health professionals (4 Syrian experts residing in Lebanon and 6 experts from Syria) who took part of the training above during a two-day roundtable. Psychotherapists, doctors, psychologists, physiotherapist and legal experts from the team will present an exhaustive demonstration of the center’s tailored rehabilitation model.

 

2. A (3-day) training module on Project Cycle Management to the 10 identified Syrian health and mental health professionals

This second phase will include a three days training module on Project Cycle Management. The third training day will consist of a practical exercise where trainees will be divided into working groups. Through guidance from the trainers and identified experts, each group is expected to design a rehabilitation project adapted to the circumstances inside Syria.

Besides gaining knowledge on the development of projects particular to rehabilitation, the trainees will be also trained on how to conduct monitoring and evaluation to evaluate their practice built on the victim’s best interest.

 

3. Creation of a Rehabilitation program during a two-days roundtable

The final phase will require the development of the Rehabilitation program for implementation inside Syria. In order to reach a general consensus on the adequate program, the experts from Restart will build on the most applicable project submitted by one of the working groups and produce the Rehabilitation program during a two-day roundtable with the participation of the 10 Syrian health and mental health professionals.

 

• Module III: 4 experts enrolled in a 3-month on the Job training at Restart Center

Restart center will identify 4 experts (mainly psychologists, psychotherapists and Doctors, One Syrian residing in Lebanon and 3 from Syria) from the target group to take part of an on the job training at the center in Beirut and Tripoli for three months. Trainees will be closely involved in the center’s rehabilitation activity during the specified period. The selection protocol will be based on a set of standards.

 

• Module IV: An advanced 9-day training on the Istanbul protocol (IP) and torture documentation to the trained experts

A multidisciplinary team of 8 Health and Mental health experts with 3 Syrian experts from Lebanon and 5 from inside Syria (especially forensic doctors) who took part of the exchange program and development of the Rehabilitation program will be formed and provided with a 9 days’ training module on the IP, formally known as the Manual on the Effective Investigation and Documentation of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.

• International and Legal instruments on torture
• Psychological evidence
• Medical evidence
• Clinical interview and exam
• Reporting
• 3 practical days (mock court, role plays…)

 

• Module V: Maintenance of contact with the trained Syrian experts aimed at the administration of post training rehabilitation activities inside Syria

At the project follow-up level of 6 months after the completion of the capacity building program, Restart’s monitoring and evaluation team will be engaged in different forms of monitoring namely:

• Post training reporting requirements (submission of activity reports)
• Post training Skype supervision(With Senior psychotherapists)
• Post training questionnaires

 

 

ELIGIBILITY:

• Syrian professionals active in the fields of Health and mental health, including but not limited to Doctors (Physicians, forensic…), Nurses, psychologists, physiotherapists, educators, sociologists and social workers as well as lawyers residing in Lebanon and inside Syria (Not necessarily operating in the context of an organization), may apply for this capacity building program.

The following Countries can fully take part in:

• Syria (20 Syrian Professionals from Syria will be selected )
• Lebanon (20 Syrian Professionals residing in Lebanon will be selected )

 

 

DURATION AND ACTION PLAN (see attachment)

 

ACCOMMODATION FEES:

• Accommodation and transportation fees of participants coming from Syria will be covered by Restart Center.
• Participants from Lebanon are not entitled to accommodation fees, they will be requested to make their transport arrangements, Restart Center will however be covering their transportation fees.
• Restart Center will facilitate the access of Syrian health and mental health experts coming from Syria to the Lebanese territories, if need be (especially for interns who will take part of the exchange program for around 3 months).