Clinical Psychologist

Outreaching activities and networking

• Conduct outreach activities in close coordination with RI’s Social Worker and OVs and support the team to conduct Mental Health (MH) assessments at field level.
• Build a network with MH actors in Bekaa to refer cases based on their needs to case management units or various types of therapy (speech therapy, psychomotor therapy, etc.).  
• Receive referrals from the field (RI’s OVs and Social Worker) and from MH actors in Bekaa and provide referred cases with MH sessions at community level and/or RI’s supported PHCC according to the plan set by the MH Coordinator. 
• Conduct outreach activities with RI’s Social Worker and Outreach Volunteers in the community in order to provide MH sessions for beneficiaries having difficulties reaching RI’s supported PHCC.

Reporting and Documentation

• Report on weekly progress to the MH Coordinator. 
• Monitor the psychological progress of the beneficiary, review cases with the MH Coordinator and refer cases to specialized services when required (speech therapy, psychomotor therapy, etc.).
• Participate in weekly meetings with the Mental Health Team, during which cases will be discussed and support and supervision will be provided by the MH Coordinator;
• Collect data from beneficiaries and fill out the necessary forms for each session conducted (assessment form, follow-up form);
• File documents in an organized and efficient manner in order to facilitate the review of cases;
• Ensure efficient data collection by filling in the MH database on a daily basis.

Miscellaneous

• Demonstrate a high level of professionalism while working or coordinating with beneficiaries, their family members and all internal or external parties. Any incident or work-related conflict should be immediately reported to the MH Coordinator and/or Program Manager. The Job holder should avoid going into any work-related communication which might jeopardize the relationship of RI with any party.  
• The job holder should demonstrate a high level of cultural sensitivity, professionalism, politeness and objectivity when dealing with the beneficiaries under all circumstances.  
• The job holder should be able to provide structured clinical assessments and develop consistent treatment plans.

Work Coordination: Internal direct reporting, dotted line work coordination and external coordination

The job holder reports directly to the MH Coordinator. The job holder will have a dotted-line work coordination with the Social Worker, Outreach Volunteers, Public Health Officer and PHCC staff. The job holder will attend external meetings if requested by the MH Coordinator and/or Program Manager. 

Span of control and decision making

The job holder should take decisions related to the accountabilities and tasks outlined above while coordinating directly with the MH Coordinator and/or Program Manager. Any decision beyond her/his realm or responsibility should be discussed with the Program Manager.

Working Conditions / Operating Environment

The job holder will be part of the team members who will be located at Bekaa’s office in the Zahle area. However, daily field visits to RI’s supported PHCC in Arsal and its catchment areas to assess refugees’ MH status is an integral part of the job description. The job holder will have frequent travel to Beirut’s office based on the MH Coordinator’s and/or Program Manager’s request.  

General skills

• Required professional skills and knowledge:
• Assessment skills:
• Ability to provide structured clinical assessments and clear case formulation
• Ability to recognize mental health priority conditions as per the mhGAP
• Ability to use standardized assessment tools

Management skills:

• Ability to develop a consistent and acceptable treatment plan with clear objectives
• Skilled in at least one evidenced-based psychotherapy approach
• Using different relaxation & stress management techniques
• Monitoring and evaluating the psychological progress of the client
• Experience providing clinical supervision or leading trainings is a plus
• Skilled in in or willing to build their capacity and knowledge in:
• Developing a family-centered, goal and strength focused, recovery oriented care plan
• Mental health in complex emergencies (IASC guidelines, Psychological First Aid, mhGAP...)
• Biopsychosocial model in mental health
• Community-based approach in mental health
• Human rights-based approach in mental health
• Evidence-based approach in mental health (e.g., IPT, CBT,TF-CBT, EMDR)
• Knowledge about the predictable stresses of humanitarian aid work and the policies and practices needed to mitigate them

Competencies:

• Ability to work in a multidisciplinary team
• Ability to develop rapport with the patient
•  Excellent communication, problem solving, interpersonal and conflict resolution skills
• Interviewing skills
• Cultural sensitivity
• Ability to adhere to ethical considerations and principles with regard to work with vulnerable populations
• Computer skills: Basic Microsoft office and internet use

Language: Fluency in Arabic and in English, French is a plus