Lead Psychologist - Amman, Jordan

General Purpose of the Position

The Lead Psychologist of the Community Learning Centre will set up, implement, and supervise the MHPSS component of the project along the lines of the corresponding project proposal.

As a Lead Psychologist, the main role is the diagnosis and evaluation of the mental and emotional disorders of individuals by observation, interview, psychological tests, and design of appropriate support by the project teams and specific activities; or referral for psychiatric support.

He/she is also responsible for the training of JRS staff in matters of Psychological First Aid, recognition of symptoms, and support for persons in distress.

Main Responsibilities of the Position

1. Consultations and Treatment:

• Assess individuals’ needs, abilities or behaviour using different methods such as interviews and direct observation of behaviour.
• Get to know the needs on the ground through collaboration and discussion with the Project Director, and through initial visits with the Family Visits teams.
• Conduct appropriate treatment programmes such as therapy or counselling, which are related to mental health problems such as anxiety, depression, addiction, social and interpersonal problems and challenging behaviour, in collaboration with other professionals.
• Identify and assess individual cases for referral.
• Coordinate closely and follow up on any referred case with the psychiatrist.
• Develop, organize, plan, and supervise the implementation of psychosocial activities for children and adults.
• Intervention: individuals, families and groups.
• Facilitate and participate in the analyses of existing psychosocial situation/cases, through transparent scoping activities regarding the psychosocial support in workshops, sessions, support groups, and other activities designed to strengthen their abilities to cope with difficult situations
• Participate in the development of capacity building materials enhancing the psychosocial support and wellbeing of refugees.
• Collaborate, plan, and facilitate common workshops with External Experts for JRS staff.
• Study the possibility of taking referrals from other organizations.
• Work within a team that will include psychosocial counsellors, education professionals, and psychiatrists.

2. Staff Training, Coaching, and Supervision:

• Supervise, support, and train, the psychosocial counsellors and coordinate their work in the project.
• Organize sessions on Psychological First Aid (PFA) and recognition of symptoms indicating psychological and/or psychiatric conditions for JRS staff.
• Organize sessions on how to support persons in distress and trauma.
• Organize sessions on self-care and stress handling.
• Supervise the work of the psychosocial counsellors.
• Counsel staff.
• Organize regular meetings for relevant staff as well as ongoing support as may be necessary.

3. Recording and Reporting:

• Keep proper patient files.
• Implement appropriate case management system in the Centre.
• Maintain updated records on patients received in consultation, and on referral and follow-up treatments with due attention to confidentiality.
• Compile and submit monthly, mid-year and annual reports on the MHPSS and psychosocial support in the project to the Project Director.
• Submit data for required reports.

4. Other:

• Be available for other duties and activities as requested by the Project Director, which are within the ambit of the position.

Skills & Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Psychology.
• Outstanding communication skills, reporting skills, and excellent interpersonal skills.
• The Lead Psychologist should demonstrate self-awareness, objectivity, and a strong desire to help others.
• At least 3 years of experience in counselling. Previous work with refugees is preferable.
• Excellent command of both written and spoken Arabic and English.
• Training and supervision experience required.
• Ability to work within a team structure, flexible, and capable of coping with stressful workloads and limited resources.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work within different cultural environments.
• Honest, of integrity, hardworking, self-motivated, and active listener person.