Community Outreach Officer - Bekaa

Main responsibilities:

• Collaborate with the MH case-management team and the medical team on the implementation of integrated interventions in health and mental health in the community.
• Sensitize and build capacity among the refugee community and host population.
• Utilize the referral system between community, PHC Canters Case-management team and community feedback and complaint mechanism.
• Analyse, detect and reduce risk factors influencing holistic well-being at the community level.
• Assist in the development and implementation of preventive measures.
• Be involved in implementation on Community health clubs, Community health committees.
• Take an active role in all proposed research and/or assessments to be conducted on the field.

Main responsibilities and activities of the Community Outreach Officer can change according to the organization of the work and to the composition of the team.

Main activities:

1. Supervision of the OVs.

• Support and follow up on the work of the OVs team and the proper delivery of integrated health/mental health services and activities in the Bekaa region.
• In consultation with Community Outreach Supervisor, plan annual leave for departmental staff to ensure there is sufficient logistical resource available at all times.
• With input and in collaboration with the Community Outreach Supervisor, carry out performance appraisals for all staff managed every year .
• Perform administrative tasks related to outreach activities (prepare payments for outreach volunteers, book and prepare payment for bus transportation, book training venue, issue mission request for refreshments).
• Report on monthly basis the activities accomplished.

2. Support MdM integrated activities at the field level.

• Make sure that all necessary forms and monitoring tools are properly completed and safely stored.  
• Ensure activities are running in the absence of the Community Outreach Supervisor.
• Provide feedback on important issues that require supervisor feedback, decision making, and tailored interventions.
• Under the direction of the Community outreach supervisor, work with the case-management team on mental health issues and with the medical team on health issues presented within communities/settlements.
• Participate in the development of partnerships with local stakeholders necessary for the implementation of the activities.
• Attend coordination meetings and represent MdM whenever it is required.
• Participation in MDM internal meetings and individual meetings with the Medical Coordinator/ MH coordinator.

3.  Developing community interventions

• Assist in the assessment of mental health/health needs and proposition of interventions to improve or settle coverage.

• Participate in defining effective and culturally appropriate approaches and interventions.
• Focus on information dissemination and collecting opinions to foster knowledge and self-care of people living in the community and informal settlements.
• Work on building and encouraging support networks within and amongst the target population.

4. Sensitisation and capacity building among community members and leaders.

• Prepare awareness/training sessions about MHPSS/health for community members and leaders
• Train and/or assist in the facilitation of trainings for partner’s staff.

5. Utilize and develop the referral system

• Assist in the development of effective referral systems between the community, the PHCs, and MdM’s case-management team.

6. Analysis, detection and reduction of risk factors influencing the health status at community level

• In collaboration with the mental health team and the medical team, explore and detect potential risk factors influencing primary health status of the target population.
• Develop and utilize innovative evidence based preventive interventions
• When required, coordinate with other stakeholders to reduce and/or eliminate potential risk factors.
• Participate in any intended research study and/or professional field assessment.

7. Other

• Translate verbally and in writing when necessary
• Perform any other additional duty on request of his/her supervisor

This job description can be modified at any time according to changes in MdM activities or in the context with prior notice and agreement between the two parties. On demand of the direct supervisor, other tasks might be added to that present list.

Behaviour:

• To behave with self-restraint at all times and respect the dignity of the beneficiaries.
• To respect the confidentiality of all beneficiaries
• To be able to work as part of a team and participate in all activities of the mental health unit.
• To believe in concepts of equity, human rights, neutrality and impartiality.
• Demonstrate motivation at work.
• Demonstrate willingness to improve own knowledge and skills by participating in any capacity building activities.
• Respect each team member’s position, work and specialty.
• Adapt to special situations or demands from supervisor.

Requested Profile

• Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health, Social Work.
• 2 to 3 years of experience with an NGO in health and/or psychosocial support.
• Good communication skills are a key factor to this position.
• Proficiency with Microsoft word and excel.
• Arabic and English language are mandatory.

Requested competences

• Believes in a comprehensive and holistic approach towards positive mental health.
• Ability to cope with difficult security context.
• Capacity to live in basic condition on the field.

• Excellence in organizing, planning and prioritizing task
• Ability to identify   strengths and weakness and in proposing shared solutions for the continuous improvement of providing quality services.
• Strong ability to observe, analyse, report and take initiative.
• Ability to work with a team as well as to work independently.
• Ability to seek, collect, and critically analyse data and information needed to achieve the tasks.
• Clear commitment in the project thematic.
• Ability to communicate any technical or non-technical topic with clarity and to share any important project information with the team.
• Ability to self-reflect on your work, to recognize what needs improvement and to propose solutions.