MHPSS Associate

Introduction

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations and the leading UN agency in the field of migration. Working closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners, IOM promotes humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It saves lives and protects people on the move, drives solutions to displacement, and facilitates pathways for regular migration, while providing services and advice to governments and migrants.

IOM is committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive and supportive workplace where all employees can thrive professionally and feel valued. By creating such an environment, IOM aims to better harness the full potential of migration and strengthen its support to people on the move.

Organizational Context and Scope

IOM Ireland has been operating in Ireland since 2001, currently in following areas of migration management: Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration, Resettlement, Family Reunification, Counter-Trafficking, Protection, Integration Support to Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection, Integrated Immigration Governance and Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS).

IOM provides mental health and psychosocial support to international protection seekers residing in the Citywest accommodation facility with the aim to improve their psychosocial well-being and to strengthen their overall resilience.

Under the overall supervision of Chief of Mission, Head of Unit, coordination from Counselling and Case Management Coordinator and the direct supervision of the Senior Conselling Associate, the incumbent will support in the implementation of project activities related to the provision of counselling services to international protection applicants hosted in transit accommodation centres in Ireland.

• Provide individual and group counselling to the affected population in need.
• Coordinate with the Site Coordinator Assistant and other members of the team the integration of mental health and psychosocial support considerations in community-based activities along the full spectrum of the intervention pyramid.
• Conduct rapid MHPSS assessments to residents, in collaboration with the Social Worker, and inform the existing referral mechanisms.
• In collaboration with the Community Mobilizer, design psychoeducation sessions for the communities, based on identified and emerging needs.
• In collaboration with the Community Mobilizer, supervise artistic mediation activities for vulnerable cases.
• Provide training sessions in PFA and basic counselling skills to humanitarian actors, community focal points and volunteers, and other team members.
• Identify and refer people with severe mental disorders, in coordination with the referral team, if existing.
• Coordinate with the referral team and other team members the inclusion of people with mental disorders in other activities promoted by the teams.
• Develop awareness messages/campaigns related to mental health and psychosocial support to be disseminated to communities. Coordinate with other members of the teams the most efficacious ways to convey those messages.
• Organize support and discussion groups and forums.
• Facilitate MHPSS needs assessments, surveys and research in the concerned communities of the project to enhance access to community-based psychosocial services and specialized mental health care for international protection applicants.
• Map existing support provisions at the microlevel and design, together with the supervisor, initiatives to reinforce their capacity.
• Report daily activities and preparing statistics reports.
• Identify gaps (i.e., lack of cultural mediation services) that should be referred to the project management and local authorities for further action.
• Develop and maintain an efficient mental health referral system for refugees, in coordination with other governmental and/or partner agencies.
• Ensure the confidentiality of medical information of the migrants and refugees.
• Perform such other duties, as may be assigned.

Education

• Postgraduate University degree in Clinical Psychology, Counselling Psychology, Educational Psychology, Pastoral Counselling, Counselling Social Work or other appropriate mental health care profession/related subject with three years of relevant work experience. Master’s degree in above fields is an advantage.
• Registration or chartered membership with the equivalent to the Psychological Association would be an asset

Experience

• Registration or chartered membership with the equivalent to the Psychological Association would be an asset.

• Knowledge of PFA and IASC guidelines for MHPSS in emergencies, as well as health and migration administrative procedures is an advantage.
• Valid driver’s license with at least five years driving experience an advantage.

Skills

• Excellent clinical skills;
• Interpersonal skills (i.e. empathy and emotional resilience);
• Intercultural competence and communication skills;
• Culture-specific knowledge.

Languages

All IOM staff members in all categories are required to be fluent in one of the IOM's official languages (English, French, Spanish).

For this position, Fluency in English is required.

Working knowledge or Arabic/Dari/Farsi/Georgian/Somalian would be an advantage.

Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

Required Competencies

Notes

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.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, security clearances.

IOM has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and IOM, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities.

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.

No late applications will be accepted. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

How to apply

Please apply to this job post, sharing CV with clearly mentioned email address and phone number.

Duplicated applications between platforms will not be considered.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.