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Psychosocial & Mental Health International Consultant

Khashm El Girba | Sudan

  • Organization: UNHCR - United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
  • Location: Khashm El Girba | Sudan
  • Grade: Mid/Senior level - Mid/Senior - Internationally recruited position
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Public Health and Health Service
    • Sexual and reproductive health
    • Project and Programme Management
  • Closing Date: Closed

Background Information:

Thousands of refugees, asylum seekers, migrants and Sudanese nationals rely on smugglers to transport them into, through and out of the East of Sudan every year. UNHCR estimates that approximately 3,000 persons enter the East of Sudan from Eritrea every month, of who an average of 2,000 seek asylum in Shagarab camps; most of these new arrivals move on to Khartoum or beyond within a short time of arrival. A sophisticated network set up by smugglers enables movement of people efficiently from Eritrea through the East of Sudan to Khartoum, Egypt, Israel and beyond. Since 2012, UNHCR and IOM have received numerous reports of migrants, refugees and asylum seekers en route who have been subjected to kidnapping, extortion, and severe sexual and physical violence by criminal groups involved in the smuggling of persons. Victims of these crimes tell horrendous stories of what they went through whilst being abducted.

In order to address the situation, UNHCR and IOM are implementing a project of several components: (i) Research; (ii) Awareness Raising; (iii) Capacity Building; (iv) Security enhancement; (v) Victim Support; and (vi) Coordination Measures. UNHCR and IOM work in close coordination on all components.

The Psychosocial & Mental Health Consultant is tasked with the implementation of the victim support component of the project.

Responsibilities:

The Psychosocial & Mental Health Consultant will advise UNHCR Sub-Office Kassala and Khashm El Girba Antenna Office on the establishment of support mechanisms for victims of human trafficking, trauma and sexual violence. He/she will conduct a specialist needs assessment of psychosocial needs in the refugee camps, provide advice on the strategic direction of the program, develop a psychosocial assessment system, design a viable psychosocial and mental health program and provide capacity building to key stakeholders as well as direct counselling and assistance where necessary.

The Psychosocial & Mental Health Consultant will conduct the following activities:

1. Psycho-social mapping and direct assistance in Sudan

The consultant will identify psycho-social and mental health interventions needed.. The consultant will gain a comprehensive understanding of the operating environment by reviewing background information of the context and project background. This includes field work in refugee camps,, discussions with key stakeholders, the project team and direct casework with victims of trafficking, kidnapping and acts of violence. In coordination with the GBV focal point, the consultant will also assess the need and feasibility of the establishment of safe houses.

2. Development of a psychosocial assessment system

The consultant will develop an action plan for the establishment of an improved psychosocial assessment system. In this regard, the consultant will draft a psychosocial care system proposal based on his/her research and continuous discussions with stakeholders. He/she will develop psychosocial assessment formats in English and Arabic and establish a referral system to address mental health needs.

3. Capacity building

The consultant will provide professional training to key stakeholders and staff based on identified training needs. He/she will also train psychosocial workers on how to use the new assessment forms and effectively utilize the new referral system. The consultant will coach the national psychologists working at the safe shelters and in the camps on clinical work with refugees and asylum seekers who are victims of torture and/or trauma by associating them directly to her/his sessions when possible and with the consent of the persons of concern.

4. Report and Formulation of Recommendations

At the end of his/her assignment, the consultant will prepare a written report in English. The report should contain collated assessment data, an analysis of the findings, the scope of the psychosocial impact and the consequencestrafficking project.

5. Any other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

  • University degree in clinical psychology, psychiatry or social work with strong experience in mental health and direct counselling,
  • At least 5 years of work experience in humanitarian MH PSS programming, including programming in counter-trafficking, direct assistance to refugees, IDPs, affected communities including broad based knowledge of social protection;
  • Cross-cultural working experience in the field of community based psychosocial support is desired;
  • Demonstrated expertise in conducting participatory assessments and approaches;
  • Experience in mental health and/or psychosocial support training;
  • Knowledge and experience implementing the IASC guidelines on MHPSS in Emergency Settings desirable;
  • Experience on safe house/shelter management would be an asset;
  • Languages: Proficiency in English. Knowledge of Arabic desirable;
  • Computer skills: Proficiency in current office software applications.

Competencies:

  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills in a multi-cultural setting;
  • Flexibility;
  • Team player;
  • Ability to work effectively with minimal supervision;
  • Good analytical skills;
  • Ability to complete tasks within a set time frame;
  • Strong work ethics and commitment to humanitarian issues.

Location:

The Psychosocial & Mental Health Consultant will be based in UNHCR Khashm El Girba Office. He/she will be required to occasionally travel to Khartoum.

Interested applicants should submit their letter of motivation and a Curriculum Vitae+P11 form via email to SUDKH-HR@unhcr.org. The deadline for applications is 28 June 2016.

This vacancy is now closed.
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