Community Mental Health Worker - South

Main Purpose

Providing optimal preventive and psychosocial aid to people with mental health and psychosocial needs at community level according to MSF principles, standards and procedures in order to provide the most appropriate mental health support for patients.

Accountabilities

• Providing information and education to the affected population on mental health/psychosocial (psychoeducation), according to specific needs

• Working together with other team members to prepare/produce various mental health psychosocial education messages/topics, according to specific groups and needs e.g. caregivers of malnourished children, population affected by armed conflict, etc.
• Identifying and appropriately referring patients who need medical or mental health assistance and providing psychological first aid to identified community members in need.
• Organizing supportive activities in the community (art for children, discussion sessions, etc.), as assigned.
• Ensuring that all patients attending MSF activities are well informed about services provided.
• Visiting families in their home/tent/shelter if required, to facilitate defaulters' tracing or to offer psychoeducation.
• Attending supervision sessions and educational sessions with members of the team.
• Maintaining monitoring data and producing regular work reports to the supervisor.

MSF Section/Context Specific Accountabilities

• Under the supervision of Mental Health supervisor, provide high quality psychosocial support (PSS) to beneficiaries through psychoeducation, discussion and other types of group activities, maintaining the target set for number of daily activities

• Work in a variety of community settings, as assigned, within the catchment area
• Screen and refer people in need of MH supports to relevant services according to established pathways and processes
• Provide translation services as required
• Develop topics and programs for PSS activities based on identified needs, with the support of the MH supervisor
• Ensure documentation is fully and accurately completed, and submitted on time
• Actively participate in multidisciplinary team meetings, trainings and supervision

Requirements

Education

Bachelors in psychology or social work

Experience

• Minimum 1 year of relevant experience in mental health, community mental health and/or social work
• Preferably coming from the beneficiaries’ community and well accepted

Languages                      

Mission language and local language/dialects essential (Arabic and English)

Knowledge

• Desired knowledge of the affected population
• Strong communication, organizational and social skills (attentive listening, open attitude, empathy, sensitivity)
• Capacity to work in a multidisciplinary team
• Initiative, creativity and flexibility
• Capacity to adjustment to change
• Interest in helping vulnerable population

Competencies

• Results and Quality Orientation L1
• Teamwork and Cooperation L1
• Behavioural Flexibility L1
• Commitment to MSF Principles L1
• Stress Management L2