What we do
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) works worldwide to provide humanitarian assistance to people affected by conflict and armed violence. We take action in response to emergencies and at the same time promote respect for international humanitarian law. We are an independent and neutral organization, and our mandate stems essentially from the Geneva Conventions of 1949. We work closely with National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and with their International Federation in order to ensure a concerted, rational and rapid humanitarian response to the needs of the victims of armed conflict or any other situation of internal violence. We direct and coordinate the international activities conducted in these situations.
Purpose
Being a humanitarian worker is an extremely rewarding activity, and ICRC staff have chosen to work for this Institution because they feel highly motivated by the purpose of what they do. Humanitarian workers live and work in physically and psychologically difficult conditions. They are in close contact with victims of armed conflict and other situations of violence and may themselves face life-threatening situations. They can be confronted to several psychosocial risks, including concerns about their security, confinement, lack of privacy, cultural adaptation, long working hours, intense workload, job security, internal conflicts, mobbing, and sexual harassment.
The Staff health Centre of expertise in Geneva HQ (RH_COE_SAN) has developed a Staff health strategy inclusive of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) for staff. The specific component on MHPSS is based on the promotion of occupational wellbeing, the prevention and the response to psychological distress disorders, with 5 levels of interventions: Basic services and security, Organizational setting, Community of colleagues, Focused non-specialized support and Specialized services.
The Regional Staff MHPSS coordinator works in close collaboration with the Regional Staff health coordinator to support the implementation of the Staff health strategy. The Regional Staff MHPSS coordinator supports specifically the implementation of the MHPSS for staff strategy within the Delegations of the NAME Regional. The NAME Region covers the following countries: Egypt, Iraq, Iran, Israel and the Occupied Territories, Jordan, Lebanon, Syrian Arab Republic, Yemen, Kuwait RD (GCC).
Based in Beirut, the Regional Staff MHPSS coordinator is under the responsibility of the Human Resources Manager. He/she coordinates visits and activities in the various Regional locations with HQ in Geneva, with the management of the Regional delegation and with the management of all delegations covered. The technical line of the Regional Staff MHPSS coordinator is the Organizational psychologist in the Staff health unit at HQ in Geneva.
Main duties and responsibilities
In coherence with the MHPSS for staff component of the Staff health strategy, and in close collaboration with the Staff health team, supports the development and the implementation of structured action plans in each Delegation of the NAME Region. The purpose of the post is to promote mental health, prevent mental ill-health and respond to staff psychological distress and mental disorders. This includes regular visits to Delegations to actively support Staff health officers and managers (26), who are the primarily implementers of the staff health strategy. Specific tasks include, but are not limited, to:
- Support the Staff health teams in the field in conducting comprehensive MHPSS for staff needs assessment and developing MHPSS for staff action plans.
- Capacity building, providing direct support and offering supervision to Staff health teams in the field, to strengthen their ability to provide first line basic clinical support to staff facing psychological distress, mental disorders, critical incidents, and sexual harassment and sexual violence.
- Offer systematic organizational and clinical support following security incidents in the field.
- Collaborate with others in the Organization (Managers, Ombuds network, D&I, etc.) to identify and improve organizational psychosocial hazards. Support good managerial practices by offering interventions to team leaders and managers on communication, basic psychological support, leadership, teamwork, conflict management, and other relevant topics.
AND
- Support strategies and interventions to increase staff mental health awareness, self-care strategies, and to decrease stigma associated with psychological suffering and help-seeking.
- Support the implementation of a peer-support system across the organization, and supervision/intervision/guided reflexive practices in Delegations and teams that are most exposed to risks of Secondary Traumatic Stress.
- Offer direct specialized clinical support to staff experiencing psychological distress, mental disorders, critical incidents, and/or sexual harassment and sexual violence.
- Liaise with the Staff Health Unit in the country and the Staff Health Center of Expertise (RH_COE_SAN) in HQ and provide support in case of need for medical evacuation of staff.
- Support the development of an external global referral network of trusted mental health professionals for staff in need of long term psychological and psychiatric support.
- Monitor and report about all matters related to the main duties responsibilities and other tasks as needed.
Desired profile and skills
Education and experience required:
- Graduate degree (equivalent to Master’s) in clinical psychology with at least four years of post-graduate professional experience in clinical psychology.
- Occupational health and/or Organizational Psychology studies an asset
- Valid license to practice in your country of residence.
- Experience in post-incident support.
- Proven capacity to work as part of a multidisciplinary team.
- At least two years of field experience in the humanitarian sector in at least two different contexts.
- Previous experience in designing and implementing MHPSS systems within organizations.
- Experience in project management, from development to implementation (included assessment and monitoring processes).
- Experience in team management.
Other major skills and capacities required
- Strong motivation to work on support of humanitarian workers.
- Proficiency in English is a MUST and Arabic fluency is preferable, additional languages (particularly French and Spanish) are a strong asset.
- Excellent interpersonal skills used to successfully develop effective collaborative relationships across a diverse international organization.
- Exceptional communication skills (verbal, written and presentation) and ability to clearly present complex issues and straightforward solutions to impact leadership and stakeholders.
- Pragmatic, innovative and entrepreneurial approach.
- Resilient, energetic and enthusiastic personality who responds constructively to challenging new ideas and input.
- Percentage of expected travel through the Region: 60%.
- International driving license (valid for manual transmission vehicles) and good practice.
Our operational & field constraints
- In line with the principle of neutrality, the ICRC does not assign personnel to a country of which they are nationals
- Candidates must be in good health and will have to do a medical check-up prior to departure in the field
- Candidates must possess a driving license (for manual transmission vehicles)
- Candidates must be prepared to accept unaccompanied postings (i.e. no spouse, partner, children or dependents) for at least the first 6 months of seniority with ICRC
What we offer
- Rewarding work in a humanitarian and multicultural environment
- A staff integration program
- Attractive social benefits
- Join an ICRC talent pool and be considered for future assignments elsewhere
The ICRC values diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates.
Additional information
- Working rate: 100% including 60% travelling throughout the Near and Middle East (NAME) Region
- Starting date: ideally September 2021 or as soon as possible
- Location: Beirut, Lebanon - and all the NAME region
- Hardship: 0
- Job level: C1
- Length of assignment: 18 months on an open-ended contract
- Application deadline: 19/08/2021