Position Title: Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Officer
Duty Station: Niamey, Niger
Classification: Professional Staff, Grade P2
Type of Appointment: Special short-term graded, 6 months with possibility of extension
Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible
Closing Date: 05 August 2024
Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations, and as the leading UN agency in the field of migration, works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.
IOM is committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment. Read more about diversity and inclusion at IOM at www.iom.int/diversity.
Applications are welcome from first- and second-tier candidates, particularly qualified female candidates as well as applications from the non-represented member countries of IOM. For all IOM vacancies, applications from qualified and eligible first-tier candidates are considered before those of qualified and eligible second-tier candidates in the selection process.
For the purpose of this vacancy, the following are considered first-tier candidates:
- Internal candidates
- Candidates from the following non-represented member states:
Antigua and Barbuda; Barbados; Cabo Verde; Comoros; Congo (the); Cook Islands; Guinea-Bissau; Holy See; Iceland; Kiribati; Lao People’s Democratic Republic (the); Latvia; Madagascar; Marshall Islands; Micronesia (Federated States of); Namibia; Nauru; Palau; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Samoa; Sao Tome and Principe; Solomon Islands; Suriname; The Bahamas; Tonga; Tuvalu; Vanuatu
Second tier candidates include:
All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states.
Context:
Any form of migration implies a redefinition of individual, family, group and collective identities, roles and value systems, which can put the individuals, the families and the communities involved under stress.
An inclusive and human rights-based approach that guarantees the availability and accessibility of psychosocial support and mental health care for all migrants (irrespective of their status) and their host communities can contribute to positive social, economic and cultural outcomes for migrants, their families, communities, and also the societies of both origin and destination countries. In Niger, IOM provides technical support to the government to enhance provision of MHPSS services to migrants in transit and returnees and is looking into progressively integrating MHPSS community-based components in other areas of intervention such as emergency, border management and community stabilization.
Under the overall supervision of the Senior Program and Policy Liaison Officer, the direct supervision of the Protection Coordinator, and with the technical support of the regional Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MPHSS) Coordinator, the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Officer will support IOM Niger to develop and implement Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Programs (MHPSS) and will be responsible and accountable for the implementation, coordination and monitoring of MHPSS activities in Niger.
Core Functions / Responsibilities:
- Support management of MHPSS Projects in a timely manner, including resource mobilization, budget monitoring and maintaining relevant donor visibility in line with IOM rules and regulations.
- Contribute to the development and implementation of a holistic and systemic MHPSS strategy for Niger CO, in line with the Inter Agency Standing Committee (IASC) guidelines, the IOM Manual on Community-based MHPSS in Emergencies and Displacement and IOM MHPSS strategy for West and Central Africa.
- Participate in the management and monitoring, both technically and administratively of the MHPSS Team. Ensure the provision of the adequate and suitable capacity building to the IOM MHPSS Team and relevant actors where applicable.
- Facilitate the establishment of comprehensive and clear work-plans for staff and MHPSS Teams, ensure timely weekly and monthly reporting on MHPSS activities are regularly shared with the PSU and other relevant stakeholders.
- Participate in assessments of mental health and psychosocial needs, identify problems/gaps and propose/prioritize timely practical actions to respond to particular mental health and psychosocial issues of migrants in IOM transit centres.
- When needed and feasible, facilitate response to individual cases of concern, in close coordination with the other relevant teams (protection and medical notably), and support them as appropriate (e.g., screening, interview, counselling, referral or assistance, depending on program capacities), and refer them, especially to the psychiatric hospital and other referral institutions for follow up.
- Participate in inter-agency protection fora/meetings (e.g., MHPSS, protection, child-protection, gender-based violence, health, relevant task forces) when required and monitor the protection needs of mobile populations, as well as communities affected by mobility in coordination with the Protection Coordinator.
- Prepare regular reports covering MHPSS activities. Facilitate the preparation of briefing, statistical/narrative reports and background information as required, including specific information requested by Officials and other entities.
- Grow partnerships of IOM on psychosocial and mental health interventions and represent IOM in mental health relevant coordination groups and fora. Assist with the draft and coordination of cooperation agreements, Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with government entities, donors, partner agencies, NGOs, contractors, and other stakeholders when relevant, in close coordination with the Protection Coordinator and colleagues from the Procurement and Logistic unit.
- Undertake travel duties, in line with prevailing security restrictions, relating to project assessments, liaison with counterparts, and project implementation, as required.
- Perform such other duties as may be assigned.
Required Qualifications and Experience:
Education
- Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology, Counselling Psychology, Counselling, or a related field from an accredited academic institution with two years of relevant professional experience; or,
- University degree in the above fields with four years of relevant professional experience.
Experience
- Sound experience in Mental Health and Psychosocial Support;
- Experience managing MHPSS programmes and projects in the field of migration;
- Experience in provision of integrated psychosocial support to migrants;
- Proven experience in humanitarian settings is considered an advantage;
- Experience in humanitarian affairs, emergency preparedness, protection and human rights;
- Experience in liaising with governmental authorities, other national/international institutions, clusters and NGOs, as well as in the Region, is an asset;
- Working experience with an operational UN agency or a major international NGO in the field of protection and assistance of refugees, internally displaced people, and migrants; and,
- Experience with counter trafficking, child protection or case management assistance for vulnerable migrants.
Skills
- Ability to work in dynamic, fast-paced environment;
- Knowledge of international protection standards;
- Knowledge of case management principles is an asset;
- Good writing skills in required languages will be an asset;
- Knowledge of reintegration needs of migrants; and,
- Counselling and training skills.
Languages
IOM’s official languages are English, French, and Spanish. All staff members are required to be fluent in one of the three languages.
For this position, fluency in English and French is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of regional languages is an advantage.
Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.
Notes
Accredited Universities are the ones listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database (https://whed.net/home.php).
Required Competencies:
Values – all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these five values:
- Inclusion and respect for diversity: Respects and promotes individual and cultural differences. Encourages diversity and inclusion.
- Integrity and transparency: Maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.
- Professionalism: Demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.
- Courage: Demonstrates willingness to take a stand on issues of importance.
- Empathy: Shows compassion for others, makes people feel safe, respected and fairly treated.
Core Competencies – behavioural indicators level 2
- Teamwork: Develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.
- Delivering results: Produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner. Is action oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.
- Managing and sharing knowledge: Continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.
- Accountability: Takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own actions and delegated work.
- Communication: Encourages and contributes to clear and open communication. Explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.
Managerial Competencies – behavioural indicators level 2
- Leadership: Provides a clear sense of direction, leads by example and demonstrates the ability to carry out the Organization’s vision. Assists others to realize and develop their leadership and professional potential.
- Empowering others: Creates an enabling environment where staff can contribute their best and develop their potential.
- Building Trust: Promotes shared values and creates an atmosphere of trust and honesty.
- Strategic thinking and vision: Works strategically to realize the Organization’s goals and communicates a clear strategic direction.
- Humility: Leads with humility and shows openness to acknowledging own shortcomings.
IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link.
https://www.iom.int/sites/default/files/about-iom/iom_revised_competency_framework_external.p df
Competencies will be assessed during a competency-based interview.
Other:
Internationally recruited professional staff are required to be mobile.
Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.
This selection process may be used to staff similar positions in various duty stations. Recommended candidates will remain eligible to be appointed in a similar position for a period of 24 months.
The list of NMS countries above includes all IOM Member States which are non-represented in the Professional Category of staff members. For this staff category, candidates who are nationals of the duty station’s country cannot be considered eligible.
Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and background verification and security clearances. Subject to certain exemptions, vaccination against COVID-19 will in principle be required for individuals hired on or after 15 November 2021. This will be verified as part of the medical clearance process.
Vacancies close at 23:59 local time Geneva, Switzerland on the respective closing date. No late applications will be accepted.
How to apply
Interested candidates are invited to submit their applications HERE by 05 August 2024 at the latest, referring to this advertisement.
IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM e-Recruitment system. The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
For further information please refer to: www.iom.int/recruitment
Posting period:
From 23.07.2024 to 05.08.2024
No Fees:
IOM does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, processing, training or other fee). IOM does not request any information related to bank accounts.
Requisition: SVN 2024 191 Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Officer (P2) Niamey, Niger (59028677) Released
Posting: Posting NC59028678 (59028678) Released
Posting Channel: Internal Candidates