Emergency Psychotherapist - Beirut

THIS IS A TEMPORARY POSITION IN ORDER TO RESPOND TO THE EMERGENCY FOLLOWING THE 4th OF AUGUST EXPLOSION IN BEIRUT. CANDIDATES WILL BE INTERVIEWED ON ROLLING BASIS IN ORDER TO IDENTIFY A POTENTIAL CANDIDATE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. WE ENCOURAGE CANDIDATES TO APPLY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. CONTRACT LENGHT WILL DEPEND ON FUNDING CONFIRMATION.

Position:                                 Psychotherapist

Place:                                      Beirut

Direct supervisor:                   PM manager

Supervisory Responsibilities   None

The main objective:                        Contribute to the protection and improvement of mental health and psychosocial wellbeing of the population affected by Beirut blast                

Context of intervention :

Following the Beirut blast, MdM is developing an MHPSS response including outreach activities to provide onsite MHPSS interventions to persons affected by the blast, internal referral to MdM CMHC, or helpline, and referral to stakeholders. In addition, MdM has also identified a need for increasing awareness about COVID19 mitigation measures.

Main responsibilities:

• Properly assess, diagnose, support and treat mental health cases; respond to emergency cases while providing PFA or MH intervention
• Coordinate with the case management team and supervisor for the implementation of all Mental Health (MH) interventions and activities.
• Assist in the coordination of MHPSS activities with PHC and hospital staff as well as other stakeholders.
• Actively participate in the development and implementation of psycho-social activities, including group support if needed.
• Assist in the development and implementation of preventive activities related to MHPSS.
• Raise awareness and sensitization sessions among partner staff about MHPSS.

The main responsibilities and activities of the Psychotherapists can change according to the context, the organization of the work and to the composition of the team.

Main activities:

1. Diagnosis and treatment of mental health cases in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team

• Support the case manager in assessing the person’s condition.
• Properly assess, diagnose, support, and provide appropriate mental health support through individual counseling, group support, and psycho-education to all beneficiaries in need.
• Work directly with the case-management team to develop individualized intervention plans.
• Participate in case discussions for the person enrolled in the project with the multidisciplinary team (including case managers, nurse, and program manager).
• Ensure proper follow up, including home visits and psychoeducation.
• Ensure that emergency cases are properly taken care of, referred, and followed.
• Commit to clinical documentation of all individuals and other MH activities.

2. Development of mental health activities

• Assist in the assessment of mental health needs and proposition of interventions adapted to the context of intervention.
• Design, organize, and implement MH prevention activities, including awareness-raising sessions and group support.
• Participate in establishing and implementing innovative PSS activities.
• Participate in the development and implementation of sensitization sessions.

3. Awareness raising and advocacy about mental health

• Participate in the preparation of awareness sessions about MH for partner staff
• Support in the training of the case management team and other stakeholders on MHPSS issues.

4. Utilization of the referral system between community and PHC Centre as well as to secondary treatment level

• Assist in the development of effective referral systems internally and externally.
• In collaboration with the case-management team, utilize the referral system to secondary mental health care.

5. Reporting, meetings and documentation

• Daily data collection and entry, respecting deadlines.
• Reporting on mental health activities.
• Participate in and take the minutes of internal meetings and individual meetings.
• Participate in regular meetings with key actors
• Participate in network/coordination meetings concerning mental health, while maintaining accurate coordination with the program manager

Behaviour:

• To behave with self-restraint at all times and respect the dignity and confidentiality of the 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.
• To be able to work in an emergency context and with limited resources
• Demonstrate motivation at work.
• Demonstrate a 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 the supervisor. (flexibility).
• Respect different cultures.

Requested Competence/Skills/Profile

• MA in Clinical Psychology with a clear practicum path (at least 500 hours)
• 2 to 3 years of experience in clinical psychology
• Follows individual supervision
• Believes in a comprehensive and holistic approach towards positive mental health.
• Arabic and English languages are mandatory.
• Experience working with NGO is preferred.
• Experience working in emergency context is valuable

• Excellence in organizing, adapting, planning and prioritizing tasks.
• 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.
• Holds MOPH Licence

This position is a full-time position based mainly in Beirut.

MdM is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, religion, creed, citizenship, national origin, age, or disability unrelated to job requirements. MdM will take affirmative action to ensure that qualified applicants are employed and that employees are treated without regard to their race, age, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, and disability status.