1 Art Therapist

For more than 30 years, Médecins du Monde, a campaigning medical organization committed to international solidarity, has been caring for the most vulnerable populations at home and abroad. It has continued to highlight obstacles that exist in accessing health care and has secured sustainable improvements in health-for-all policies. Those working for this independent organisation do not solely dispense care and treatment but condemn violations of human dignity and rights and fight to improve matters for populations living in precarious situations. MdM currently works in 46 countries across all continents where it focuses on 4 priority areas: caring for the health of migrants and displaced persons, promoting sexual and reproductive health, combating HIV and reducing the harm and risks associated with drug use, crises and conflicts.   TASKS AND RESPONSABILITIES : Main objective:         Under the supervision of the Mental Health Coordinator, contribute to the protection and improvement of mental health and psychosocial wellbeing of the displaced population and the strained host population in the Bekaa and South Beirut area.                Main activities:  1.     Coordinate mental health activities among different mental health staff and with PHC staff Work with a multidisciplinary team on mental health issues presented in  PHC Centres and within   communities/settlements Assist in the assessment of mental health needs and proposition of interventions in association with the partner PHC Centres to improve mental health coverage. Weekly reporting on mental health activities and data collected. When required participate in regular meetings with key actors, GSMH and PHC departments; When required, participation in network/coordination meetings concerning mental health. Participation in MDM internal meetings and individual meetings with the mental health coordinator.  2.     Provide support and/or treatment to mental health cases. Assess beneficiaries’ needs or disorders using artistic processes (drawing, painting, drama etc.) Support patients to overcome their emotional and mental difficulties by engaging with and expressing themselves through the artistic process. Design art therapy sessions or programs to meet beneficiaries’ goals or objectives. Organize and carry out one-to-one and group sessions. Assisting beneficiaries to utilize the systems and practises at their disposal to overcome their difficulties. Observe and document client reactions, progress, or other outcomes related to art therapy. Work directly with other members of the case-management team (clinical psychologists, social workers, community mental health workers) to develop intervention plans and follow up at the home/ shelter level.  3.      Developing community mental health interventions Participate in defining effective and culturally appropriate approaches and interventions on the community level. Tailor specific art therapy programs for different populations such as: children, elderly, vulnerable women, men & boys, GBV survivors, torture survivors. Focus on information dissemination and collecting opinions to foster knowledge and self-control of people living in the community and informal settlements.  4.     Sensitisation and capacity building among PHC staff about mental health. Teach art therapy techniques or processes to other professionals, refugee community, and host population. Engage in awareness campaigns promoting mental health literacy amongst the refugee community, host population, and working professionals.  5.     Utilize the referral system between community and PHC Centre as well as to secondary treatment level Develop with mobile community mental health worker referral system between community and PHC level. Utilize the referral system to secondary mental health care.  6.     Analysis, detection and reduction of risk factors influencing the mental health status at community level  In collaboration with the mental health team, explore and detect potential risk factors influencing mental health status of the target population. Analyze data to determine the effectiveness of treatments or therapy approaches. When required, coordinate with other stakeholders to reduce and/or eliminate potential risk factors.  7.     Develop and perform preventive measures for stable mental health at community and PHC Centre level In collaboration with the mental health team, assist in the development, implementation, and evaluation of innovative preventive mental health interventions. Competence/Skills/Profile MA degree in Art Therapy 2 to 3 years of experience in Art Therapy and/or training hours compulsory. Following the internationally accepted bio-psycho-social concept of mental health. Believes in a comprehensive and holistic approach towards positive mental health. Arabic and English language are mandatory. Experience working with NGO is preferred. Ability to cope with difficult security context. Good coordination and communication skills are a key factor to this position. 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. Proficiency with Microsoft word and excel.