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.
Project Context and Scope
The humanitarian crisis in Ukraine has increased the country’s mental health and psychosocial support needs, adding to the distressing conditions caused by the war, which escalated in February 2022 and a strained health system. As efforts towards, recovery and resilience progress further, MHPSS will continue to become a priority need for Ukrainians in the aftermath of the humanitarian emergency. In response, IOM is expanding its efforts in Ukraine through the comprehensive community-based mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) approach. This programme will adhere to IOM's global MHPSS standards, as specified in the manual on community-based mental health and psychosocial support in emergencies and displacement. It involves the support of local initiatives and territorial communities in provision of the community-based MHPSS services. This will help hromada level recovery and supporting particularly vulnerable groups in the community. The aim is to enhance community and family resilience, helping them to better cope with the distressing situations brought about by the crisis. The programme will also contribute to preparedness efforts in case of any future emergency situation.
IOM Community Based MHPSS programmes use standardized approaches implemented by psychosocial mobile teams. These teams provide community-based services, leveraging the diverse expertise, cultural competencies, and professional skills of their members. PMTs offer flexible programming, outreach, and close proximity to communities during various displacement phases. They make services more accessible for women, persons with disabilities, older adults, large families, and others who may have difficulty traveling to facilities.
Category A Consultant: Tangible and measurable outputs of the work assignment
The MHPSS Psychosocial Worker is a member of the PMT tasked with social support, including referral to additional services and social support organizations, the organization of capacity building sessions, sensitization sessions, awareness sessions, the organization and promotion of cultural, socializing, sport and recreational activities. Tasks to be performed under this contract:
- Collaborate with the Senior MHPSS Associate and other team members to integrate mental health and psychosocial support considerations in community-based activities, following the full spectrum of the IASC intervention pyramid.
- Conduct training sessions on Psychological First Aid (PFA), stress management, team building, conflict management, communication skills, and community-based approaches in MHPSS, based on needs, for humanitarian actors, community focal points, volunteers, and IOM Ukraine team members.
- Support the strengthening of social networks and organizing support groups, discussion forums participatory cultural and recreational initiatives, such as arts, music, sports, and storytelling, are key strategies to enhance community psychosocial well-being.
- Provide individual and group counselling to the affected population when needed.
- Develop and disseminate awareness messages and campaigns, psychoeducation sessions related to mental health and psychosocial support, coordinating with team members to ensure effective communication.
- Assist in conducting MHPSS needs and impact assessments, data collection surveys, focus group discussions, key informant interviews and research in western Ukraine under the supervision of the Senior MHPSS Associate to support improved access to community-based psychosocial services and specialized mental health care.
- Under the direction of program management, support the Senior MHPSS Associate in managing partnerships with local implementing partners. This includes liaising with partners to ensure the effective planning and coordination of community-based creative and cultural activities for diverse groups affected by the war, including IDPs and the local population.
- Implement MHPSS components of integrated MHPSS-Livelihoods programme (MLI) and MHPSS projects supporting Veterans, their families and families of fallen Veterans.
- Undergo roving duty travel in Ukraine, with readiness to be regularly available for travel with short notice in case of emergency situations.
- Proper reporting and data entry of activities in tracker sheets and proper documentation of the community-based activities as well as the use of proper donor visibility in coordination with the Senior MHPSS Associate.
Perform other duties as may be assigned.
Performance indicator for the evaluation of results
- The successful implementation of the quarterly plan of action, reaching the target number of individuals and services outlines in the plan with the proper quality of service delivery in line with IOM guidelines.
- The fulfillment of the time on the job required as indicated in the contract, which will be confirmed through a detailed time sheet.
Education, Experience and/or skills required
IOM Ukraine is looking for positive, attentive, responsible persons with previous experience in MHPSS work, community-based work, teamwork and in humanitarian interventions. Candidates should be prepared for frequent travel across their target oblast and respond to emergencies as needed. Previous track record of innovative work and taking initiatives locally will be a strong asset.
The Consultant should meet the following requirements
Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Counselling, Educational Psychology, Psychotherapy, Social Sciences, Social Work, or a related field, with at least of 2 years of working experience.
- Previous experience in mental health, social and protection activities in related areas of intervention is an advantage.
- Experience in communicating and working with a wide range of people, including people of culturally diverse backgrounds.
- Fluency in Ukrainian. Working knowledge of English would be an asset.
Competencies
Values
- Inclusion and respect for diversity: respects and promotes individual and cultural differences. Encourages diversity and inclusion.
Core Competencies – behavioural indicators
- Teamwork: develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.
Notes
IOM covers Consultants against occupational accidents and illnesses under the Compensation Plan (CP), free of charge, for the duration of the consultancy. IOM does not provide evacuation or medical insurance for reasons related to non-occupational accidents and illnesses. Consultants are responsible for their own medical insurance for non-occupational accident or illness and will be required to provide written proof of such coverage before commencing work.
Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.
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.