Psychologist (Zahle with field trips to Bekaa and Arsal)

CONTEXT

The ICRC Health Unit in Lebanon currently run Mental Health and Psycho Social Support (MHPSS) programmes in Beirut, Beqaa and the North. These programmes aim to provide tailored psychological and psychosocial care to people with MHPSS needs in health facilities and at community level.

PURPOSE

In collaboration with, and under the direct supervision of the Head of Sub Delegation (HoSD) and technical supervision of the psychologist responsible for the Victims of Violence (VoV), the Psychologist Field Officer contributes technically to the implementation of MHPSS activities for Victims of Violence in line with the ICRC MHPSS framework through direct support, training, supervising and coaching others.

MINIMUM REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE

• Master’s Degree in clinical psychology
• License to practice in Lebanon from the Ministry of Public Health
• 3 to 5 years of professional experience
• A minimum of 3 years’ experience in MHPSS programs
• Clinical experience with refugees and survivors of violence and trauma-related experience
• A minimum of 1 year in humanitarian settings especially in fields of expertise relevant to the ICRC work (with victims of violence including sexual violence)
• Experience in implementing MHPSS activities at community level and primary health care level
• Experience in providing trainings and supervision
• Training or workshops in a psychotherapeutic approach
• English and Arabic: excellent writing and oral skills
• Very good analysis and oral/written reporting skills

ACCOUNTABILITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Programmatic:

• Develops, implements and follows up on MHPSS activities in Area of Responsibility AoR.
• Implements MHPSS activities directly through individual consultations, family and/or group support meetings (see ‘psychological support’).
• Develops detailed MHPSS referral pathway in AoR and creates links and partnerships with other internal and external service providers as per identified needs (Economic Security ‘EcoSec’, Protection, Health (Hospital, Physical & Rehabilitation Program ‘PRP’, Primary Health Care ‘PHC’) etc.).
• Assists to conduct needs assessments and multidisciplinary field visits in AoR.
• Assists to develop, enhance, monitor and maintain culturally and context-appropriate data collection, monitoring and reporting tools/procedures.
• Develops and maintains contacts with health authorities, academia, technical advisers from other organizations, etc. throughout the assessment and implementation phase of the project.
• Facilitates/implements information, sensitization and training MHPSS sessions for health facility staff or other entities as required.
• Recruit a team of community focal points from target population to deliver community level awareness raising activities.
• Develops and facilitates a training programme to community focal points to enable them to deliver sensitization, psychoeducation, basic psychosocial support and community mobilisation activities.

Psychological support: (direct provision of support as defined by the capacity building programme plan)

• Creates and implements screening and triaging mechanisms for new cases referred for psychological support, ensuring for mild-moderate cases direct support is provided through capacity building of health staff.
• Conducts structured clinical assessments upon referral of screened new cases on admission, includes use of standardised assessment tools and clear case formulation.
• Develops consistent treatment plan with clear objectives for cases identified with MHPSS needs according to severity score of scales and clinical observation.
• Provides individual/family/group mental health care through (brief to mid) supportive counselling according to the patient treatment plan and the practitioner’s capacity.
• Provides psychoeducation and support to patients’ caregivers as required.
• Liaises with and refers when needed medical team, social worker, external mental health services and other teams to ensure patient safety and continuum of care.

Support to field:

• Contribute to define health strategy and implement activity in Zahle Sub Delegation ensuring the MHPSS response is integrated in a multidisciplinary response according to the priority area.

Emergency response:

• In case of an emergency affecting primarily victims of violence in the AoR, he/she is responsible of conducting the first rapid assessment and of supporting the the psychologist responsible for the Victims of Violence (VoV),  in the overall coordination of the MHPSS response with the MHPSS program Manager. 
• Provides direct psychological support to victims of violence based on the findings of the rapid need assessment conducted after the onset of a sudden emergency

 Administration, reporting and communication:

• Ensures patients files are kept updated and stored securely in accordance with international standards.
• Manages MHPSS database and contribute to timely reporting as required, including minutes of meetings, field trip reports, quarterly technical reports.
• Develops and regularly updates stakeholder mapping and formally updates quarterly.