Position Title: Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Officer
Duty Station: Brussels, Belgium
Classification: Professional Staff, Grade P3
Type of Appointment: Fixed term, one year with possibility of extension
Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible
Closing Date: 25 February 2021
Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations, and as the leading UN agency in the field of migration, works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.
IOM is committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment. Read more about diversity and inclusion at IOM at www.iom.int/diversity.
Applications are welcome from first- and second-tier candidates, particularly qualified female candidates as well as applications from the non-represented member countries of IOM. For all IOM vacancies, applications from qualified and eligible first-tier candidates are considered before those of qualified and eligible second-tier candidates in the selection process.
For the purpose of this vacancy, the following are considered first-tier candidates:
Internal candidates
Candidates from the following non-represented member states:
Antigua and Barbuda; Botswana; Cabo Verde; Comoros; Cook Islands; Cuba; Fiji; Gabon; Guinea-Bissau; Guyana; Holy See; Iceland; Kingdom of Eswatini; Kiribati; Lao People's Democratic Republic (the); Latvia; Luxembourg; Marshall Islands; Micronesia (Federated States of); Montenegro; Namibia; Nauru; Palau; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint Lucia; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; Samoa; Sao Tome and Principe; Seychelles; Solomon Islands; Suriname; The Bahamas; Timor-Leste; Tonga; Tuvalu; Vanuatu
Second tier candidates include:
All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states.
Context:
IOM contributes to the promotion of mental health and psychosocial well-being of migrants and host communities through mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) programs and activities throughout all phases of the migration process in more than 72 countries to date.
MHPSS engagement within IOM’s Transition and Recovery portfolio has consisted of providing direct MHPSS to conflict-impacted communities, MHPSS capacity building initiatives, integration of MHPSS into reparation, social cohesion, and DDRR processes, research on the psychosocial elements of violent extremism, and integration of MHPSS in PVE.
There is a growing need to consolidate the integration of MHPSS in IOM’s activities and processes, specifically those aimed at Preventing Violent Extremism (PVE), Community Stabilization (CS), and Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDRR) in communities impacted by violent extremism in order to address root causes of violence and promote greater social cohesion.
Under the overall supervision of the Regional Director in Brussels, the direct supervision of the Head of the Mental Health, Psychosocial Support and Intercultural Communication Global Section, an HQ function decentralized to the IOM Regional Office (RO) in Brussels, Belgium; and with the secondary technical oversight of the Peacebuilding Unit Lead of the Transition and Recovery Division’s in IOM Headquarters (HQ) Geneva, Switzerland, the successful candidate will be responsible for the global harmonization of programmatic approaches, consolidation of tools and protocols, provision of technical support and capacity building of field missions, and research and technical advice in support for IOM’s participation in relevant global processes and fora.
Core Functions / Responsibilities:
Provide technical expertise and advice, including developing SOPs, protocols and tools, with a focus on the integration of MHPSS within IOM’s TRD programming.
Develop and deliver capacity building initiatives on MHPSS soft and systemic skills, with a focus on PVE, DDRR, stabilization, reparation and in the reintegration of foreign fighters, based on IOM’s general policies and procedures.
Propose new processes, activities and delineating parameters of MHPSS integration in IOM programming, with a focus on PVE, CS and DDRR, in particular aiming at program and project design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
Identify, assess and advise on global best and promising practices; systematizing findings in strategic and operational planning worldwide and create a repository of best practices and tools for knowledge management.
Research and regularly share critical developments and contribute to thematic policy development and global reports.
Assess IOM’s MHPSS, PVE, CS and DDRR projects and programs for areas of existing and potential programmatic synergy and identify challenges to integration. Initiate regular dissemination of findings among missions and relevant departments.
Provide research and technical support for IOM’s participation in relevant interagency meetings, fora, and regional and technical networks, when required.
Create and maintain a community of practice or expert network and a roster of consultants.
Undertake duty travel as required.
Perform such other duties as may be assigned.
Required Qualifications and Experience:
Education
• Master’s Degree in Psychology (clinical, counselling), Counselling, Social Work (forensic or mental health) or a related field from an accredited academic institution with five years of relevant professional experience; or
• University degree in the above fields with seven years of relevant professional experience;
• Participation to IOM corporate MHPSS Academic programs in Psychosocial Interventions in Emergency and Displacement or similar will be considered an asset;
• Additional degree in Conflict Studies, Peacebuilding Studies, Anthropology an asset.
Experience
• Experience working with specialized national or international, governmental or non-governmental agencies providing MHPSS to former combatants, former violent extremists, in victims reparation and/or prevention of violent extremism;
• Experience in the design and/or implementation of MHPSS interventions in conflict and/or post-conflict settings, with a focus on PVE, DDDR, CS and Reparation;
• Experience coordinating knowledge management initiatives, and in designing and deliver training curricula, including online;
• Experience in liaising and building effective partnerships with national and international stakeholders, such as UN Agencies, research and academic institutions, international, regional and local organizations, governmental entities and civil society;
• Direct psychotherapeutic, counselling or social work experiences with former combatants, in international tribunals, with foreign fighters, and with victims in reparation processes a distinctive asset.
Skills
• Sound knowledge of the Interagency Peacebuilding environment;
• Demonstrated capacity for program analysis and applied research;
• Demonstrated capacity for the development and adaptation of tools and protocols.
Languages
IOM’s official languages are English, French, and Spanish.
For this position, fluency in English is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of Arabic, French, Spanish and/or another UN language is an advantage.
Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.
Notes
Accredited Universities are the ones listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database
(https://whed.net/home.php).
Required Competencies:
Values - all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these three values:
• Inclusion and respect for diversity: respects and promotes individual and cultural differences; encourages diversity and inclusion wherever possible.
• Integrity and transparency: maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.
• Professionalism: demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.
Core Competencies – behavioural indicators level 2
• Teamwork: develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.
• Delivering results: produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner; is action oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.
• Managing and sharing knowledge: continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.
• Accountability: takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own action and delegated work.
• Communication: encourages and contributes to clear and open communication; explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.
IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link. https://www.iom.int/sites/default/files/about-iom/iom_revised_competency_framework_external.pdf
Competencies will be assessed during a competency-based interview.
Other:
Internationally recruited professional staff are required to be mobile.
Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.
This selection process may be used to staff similar positions in various duty stations. Recommended candidates endorsed by the Appointments and Postings Board will remain eligible to be appointed in a similar position for a period of 24 months.
The list of NMS countries above includes all IOM Member States which are non-represented in the Professional Category of staff members. For this staff category, candidates who are nationals of the duty station’s country and who do not have prior experience outside the duty station’s country as staff member in the Professional category cannot be considered eligible.
Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.
Vacancies close at 23:59 local time Geneva, Switzerland on the respective closing date. No late applications will be accepted.
This vacancy is archived.