Back Mental Health and Psychosocaial Support (For applicants already present in Thailand)

Position: Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Technical Officer **

Closing date: 4th October 2020 **

Handicap International that runs its program under the operating name Humanity & Inclusion (HI) seeks for a Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Technical Officer based in Mae Sot (Tak Province, Thailand) with frequent travel to camps (Mae La, Umpiem, Nupo, Mae La Oon and Mae Ra Ma Luang)

S/he works under the supervision of the Disability Social Inclusion (DSI) Project Manager to support the implementation of the DSI project in all 5 temporary shelters.

Due to COVID-19 situation, HI seeks for applicants already present in Thailand.

PROJECT HISTORY

HI is an international non-governmental and non-profit organization specialized in the field of disability. HI works alongside people with disabilities and vulnerable populations, taking action and bearing witness in order to respond to their essential needs, improve their living conditions and promote respect for their dignity and fundamental rights. HI works to meet the needs and defend the rights of children, women and men with disabilities.

Since its creation in 1982, HI has gone on to work in around 60 countries worldwide and supported several million people.

In Thailand, HI started working in 1984 and first focused its actions on the delivery of mobility and assistive devices to landmine and other explosive ordnance (EO) victims as a response to the influx from Myanmar. HI currently implements activities for Burmese refugees along the Thailand/Myanmar border under three thematic areas: Physical Rehabilitation, Disability and Social Inclusion (DSI) and Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE). The projects are supported by the US Government (BPRM), the European Delegation (EU), UNHCR and the Fondation [MJ1] de France.

Since 2016, HI Thailand projects are framed in a regional program with HI Myanmar.

For more information on the organisation, please see:

Humanity and Inclusion website: https://hi.org/en/index

and the online presentation of the organization: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3p2OWl6T3AY&t=127s

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

HI carries out activities in Thailand around 3 pillars:

1/ Armed Violence Reduction (AVR) including Explosive Ordnance Risk Education,

2/ Inclusion with Disability Social Inclusion (DSI),

3/ Health and Rehabilitation with project covering physical rehabilitation.

JOB DESCRIPTION **

GENERAL MISSION:

The MHPSS Technical Officer will organise and manage the MHPSS activities of a short-term project related to a COVID-19 response, funded by UNHCR. Other important aspects of the role include training national and camp-based staff on basic MHPSS delivery, encouraging beneficiary participation, promoting inclusion, liaising with other stakeholders and contributing to the development of MHPSS components for future project proposals.

Responsibilities:**

Responsibility 1: Plan, monitor, implement the MHPSS activities related to a short-term COVID-19 response

Aim: Ensure that MHPSS activities are implemented on time with the adequate quality of services.

Benchmarks: activities are implemented on time, beneficiaries’ satisfaction.

Activities:

Planning:

· Provide psychosocial support to persons with disabilities, their caregivers/ family members who are selected high risk cases or cases in need of specialized psychosocial support or mental health interventions;

· Assist the Project Manager in the formulation and development of the project planning, with a focus on MHPSS activities;

· Remain overall responsible at the field level for the proper implementation of MHPSS activities;

· Provide advice and support to the Project Officers and Project Manager in the implementation of field activities related to psychosocial support;

· Contribute to the development of the tools needed for implementing the MHPSS activities and to their review and adjustment;

· Supervise a MHPSS need assessment among persons with disabilities supported by HI and identify most at risk cases related to COVID-19 and camps lockdown;

· Define containment kits and support the Project Officers for purchase request and efficient distribution;

· Develop satisfaction survey tools, in coordination with DSI Project Manager, Technical Unit Manager and MEAL manager;

· Input into the identification and analysis of the project good practices;

· Provide inputs and technical recommendations to be used for future proposal for MHPSS project;

· Ensure that his/her Line Manager is regularly informed and reported about concerns or difficulties faced at the field level.

Responsibility 2: Empower, build capacity and coach HI national and camp-based staff in regards to basic mental health and psychosocial support.

Aim: Build capacity of HI staff to be able to provide community services with high quality standards.

Benchmarks: Camp-based and national staff has basic MHPSS knowledge in respect with international (IASC) and HI standards

Activities:

· Support the DSI Project Manager in the training need analysis of the team;

· Develop appropriate and disability-friendly training materials and tools to be implemented at camp level in collaboration with HQ technical advisors and the regional Technical Unit Manager (TUM);

· Build basic MHPSS skills of the DSI national and camp-based staff and support their ongoing learning and implementation of competency-based skills and knowledge through coaching, mentoring, case study analysis, in order to implement activities at the field level to the full satisfaction of the project;

· Train HI team members on the disability friendly interviews techniques and implementation of psychosocial assessment.

Responsibility 3: Ensure communication, networking and coordination at field level

Aim: Under the supervision of the DSI project manager, ensure implementation of good practices and good communication.

Benchmarks: the project services are involved in mainstream camp services (health, MHPSS, protection etc), moreover partners, camp authorities and camp committee recognise HI activities.

Activities:

· Reinforce networks for referral of persons with disabilities who are high risk cases and ensure regular follow ups of cases in need of additional psychosocial and mental health support;

· Participate and represent HI in relevant working group meetings/Forums (health, MHPSS, protection) at camp and national level to enhance coordination and foster good working relationship with partners

· Assist the Project Manager to ensure that disability issues are incorporated at the field level or supported by the organization within a culture of rights based approach;

· Ensure that the internal regulations, operating procedures and security rules are applied at field level;

· Maintain good internal communication, good team spirit and efficient circulation of information among HI and other stakeholders;

· Communicate the project achievements and contribute at the regular coordination meetings;

· Enhance HI’s visibility in the refugees’ camp and stakeholders’ networks;

Qualification Required:

Education: At least bachelor degree in psychology, mental health or related field from a recognized university. Clinical experience is a plus.

Experiences:

· Minimum of 2 years’ experience with prominence in psychosocial and mental health assignments,

· Experience in disability sector strongly recommended,

· Proven experience in use of community-based approaches for the management of psychosocial and mental health issues,

· Experience in application of innovative/creative and evidence based psychosocial and mental health models,

· Experience in case management,

· Experience in conducting trainings and on-the-job capacity building of national and community workers.

Technical Skills & Cross Cutting Skills:

· Knowledge and experience in INGO project implementation.

· Experience in working with local partners, community-based organizations or public authorities.

· Experience in working in temporary shelters in Thailand.

Language skills:** Good English and Thai language (oral and written), with good local language (Karen/Burmese)

Behavioral Skills:

· Ability to work under pressure and without constant supervision.

· Excellent reactivity and flexibility.

· Active listening.

· Capacity to organize s/her work, and manage priorities.

· Strong interpersonal and intercultural skills.

· Emotional capacity to work with persons with severe mental health / protection issues.

· Good team member and keen to participatory approach.

· Creativity.

JOB CONDITIONS:

Local work contract: short-term employment (until 31 December 2020)

We offer: competitive package; transportation allowance when going to the field, 15 days annual leave with additional 5 days office closure in December for local staff, Social Security & Worker Compensation Fund, life insurance for employee, health & accident insurance for employee and family, phone credit, 13th month salary, seniority of 2% after the 1st year of employment and training opportunities.

Start preferably: 19th October 2020

[MJ1]Please keep it in French