Back A PSYCHOLOGIST - MENTAL HEALTH and CARE PRACTICES, GENDER and PROTECTION CAPACITY BUILDING - ERBIL - IRAQ

As of today, ACF Iraq is operational in Ninewa and Dohuk Governorates and working towards the expansion of its activities to South / Central Iraq. Throughout 2019, ACF has been implementing its humanitarian response in Iraq with an integrated, multi-sectoral approach, addressing WASH, MHCPGP, Food Security & Livelihoods, as well as Nutrition-related needs in Dohuk, Sinjar, Mosul, and Hammam Al Ali camp. In 2020, ACF is to continuing the provision of humanitarian response in the areas still presenting urgent needs while designing and rolling out post-emergency / recovery interventions. The main donors of the mission are OFDA, EU through MADAD, GIZ, AFD, WFP, SDC, GAC, and ACF.

The Mental Health, Care Practice, Gender, and Protection department has more than 45 staff members composing psychologists and psychosocial workers managed by MHCPGP program managers at each base further coordinated by the head of the department in the mission.

Length of contract: 12 months – Starting date as soon as possible

The position:

Under the supervision of the MCHCP GP Head of Departement, the expert position is dedicated to the MHPSS capacity building of AAH MHCPGP psychologists and psychosocial workers. The expert will be responsible to design a full training material package for teams, provide these training, and ensure regular coaching, clinical supervision, and on-the-job supervision. This capacity-building activity will involve the use of AAH MHCPGP standards manuals and protocols, the adaptation of this material to local context, as well proposition of new tools and guidelines for clinical work and supervision. You will spend at least 50% of his time in the field, whilst training, supervision, and technical support to the field team. The expert will work in close collaboration with all MHCPGP program managers to adjust training and supervision modalities, under the supervision of the Head of Department. The expert will also assist the MHCPGP Head of Department for program follow-up and external coordination purposes.

More precisely, you will have to:

Build the capacity of staff through training and on-job coaching clinical supervision

• Design a full MHPSS training package for field teams, according to AAH MHCPGP standards and protocols
• Conduct capacity building needs assessment and establishes technical areas that require training and on job support among the team.
• Based on identified needs, develop capacity building plan in collaboration with HoD, and Program Coordinator
• Adapt or prepare coaching and training materials and sessions for the field team based on the protocols validated by the AAH MHCPGP team (field and HQ).
• Conduct basic and refresher training on technical aspects and support conduction of other ad hoc training sessions, coaching, and on-the-job support based on identified needs.
• To provide support to trained staff to train other field staff
• Ensure that newly recruited staff are getting sufficient induction on MHCPGP project activities and conduct very close supervision with them on the field
• Ensure continuous supervision and technical support to the field teams and activities.
• Organize monthly case conferences among psychologist to share experiences and practical guidance
• Sensitize and train other ACF staff on the integration of MHCPGP and protection principles and activities.

• Build the capacity of the team on project consolidation exercise to identify active projects, SOP status, protocols, guidelines, and tools currently in use

• Coaching and training the field team and providing support for protocol implementation through training and working sessions

• Organize sample clinical sessions (individual and group) to facilitate experience sharing for psychologist and psychosocial workers

Strengthening the Mental Health, care Practices Gender and Protection Program activities and initiate improvements according to the needs

• Explore areas of strength and weakness, opportunities and threats with regard to the MHCPGP program activity/implementation and reinforce program strong sides and propose solutions or recommendations to aspects that requires improvement
• Make recommendations to enhance program or services qualities in the context with close collaboration with the HoD, and MHCPGP PMs.

• Provide recommendations and suggestions to ensure activities and/ actions of MHCPGP programs are respectful and specific to the context (e.g. in accordance with existing Action Against Hunger protocol, national policy, rules of UNHCR camp, etc.).

• Contribute to the definition of new modalities of intervention according to context and program evolution in collaboration with the HOD and program managers

• Contribute to the revision of monitoring and program tools in collaboration with the HoD, MHCPGP managers and build capacity psychologist and psychosocial workers on the new tools and procedures

• If necessary to adapt or assist the development of context-based guidelines and protocols with AAH MHCPGP field and HQ team

• Monitor and follow-up the implementation, strength and weakness, skills, and knowledge of the field team on validated protocols in the project area (significant field presence is expected).

Ensure representation of the MHCPGP department in internal/external coordination meeting to reinforce internal and external coordination and collaboration

• Establish/ strengthen networking with other humanitarian and development actors on Nutrition, Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS), Protection including GBV and CP, Early Childhood Development, WaSH, DRR.. at the field and at the base level. According to the needs, to develop contact with others organizations and/or individuals for potential referrals of the beneficiaries; potential external training opportunities for staff; and developing a good understanding of the mental health and care practices policies and practices in Iraq in close collaboration with the Head of Department

Reporting, monitoring, and evaluation

• In collaboration with MHCPGP HOD and PMs conduct monthly review meetings – (on program outcomes, and supervision, etc)
• Report operational bullet-point as part of the monthly activity report for MHCPGP HoD, advisor and MHCPGP PMs to follow up on the capacity building, key activity issues, including recommendations
• Ensure capitalization and learning of program documentation, case studies, and success stories in collaboration with the HoD, PMs, the MEAL department, and base manager and the communication & advocacy manager.
• Contribute to the setting of a standard monitoring and evaluation databases for programs, in close collaboration with Head of Department and MEAL department.

The applicant:**

You hold a Master’s degree or Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. You have got specific expertise in trauma oriented clinical approaches.

You have at least 3 years of related field experience with humanitarian NGO and 1-year experience with conducting training and clinical supervision of psychologists, psychosocial workers, psychosocial assistants, project officers, and volunteers.

You have experience in implementing MHPSS humanitarian programs, in care practices, and in gender and protection.

Having previous experience with ACF is an asset; You have a strong capacity to work intense conditions, knowing that travels to the field sites will be regular. You have excellent interpersonal, organizational, multitasking, team player, and communication skills. You have a very good level of English is mandatory, and Arabic/Kurdish is an asset.

Remuneration and benefits :

· Monthly gross salary 2010€ to 2335€ upon experience + a monthly expert allowance 200 €

· Monthly per diem and living allowance: 454 € (cf eurocost) net, field paid.

· +150€ as country allowance**

· + 16% of monthly gross. For non-French citizens for retrocession of retirement and unemployment insurance.

· + Child allowance limited to 5 children.

Transportation and accommodation:

· Coverage of transportation costs to and in the mission.

· Individual room in guesthouse covered (préciser si logement individuel)

Medical coverage:** 100% coverage of medical expenses + repatriation insurance.

Leaves and RnR:**

· 25 days of paid leaves per year. **

· + 20 RnR per year. **

· + 215 € at each RnR period (averagely every 3 months). **

· Coverage of the transportation expenses to the RnR area of reference. **

Training :

· Free and unlimited access to the certifying e-learning platform Crossknowledge ©.

· Technical training at HQ or regional level (averagely 1 per year).

· Intermission Workshop once a year.

· Opportunity for coaching (DP) or mentorship.

· Participation in external training costs upon eligibility of the request.