The Center for Victims of Torture is hiring a Physiotherapist/Trainer to join its team in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Using a capacity-building approach, the Physiotherapist/Trainer will co-lead efforts to design and deliver community-based as well as specialized, center-based torture and trauma rehabilitation programming to benefit Iraqi survivors of torture, sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), and other gross human rights violations. Working as part of an interdisciplinary team, the Physiotherapist/Trainer develops and oversees clinical interventions as well as the production of associated resources for resilience workshops, social cohesion activities, and specialized rehabilitation (group, individual, family), trauma-sensitive outreach to vulnerable groups, and other services for survivors. In addition to providing internal coaching, training, and supervision, the Physiotherapist/Trainer supports specialized and non-specialized services provided by local partners working across different locations. Activities include capacity assessment of partner teams, training, clinical supervision, program development and implementation, and staff care. Currently, travel to Iraq from other international locations may be delayed due to public health measures. Remote work may be feasible. Once the successful candidate is residing in Iraq, work may be completed remotely, from an office/guesthouse environment, from partner centers, and/or from project sites as public health conditions, local regulations, and risk management considerations allow.
Organization:
The Center for Victims of Torture works toward a future in which torture ceases to exist and its victims have hope for a new life. We are an international nonprofit dedicated to healing survivors of torture. We offer rehabilitation services to those who have been tortured, train partners around the world who can prevent and treat torture, and advocate for human rights and an end to torture. We are headquartered in Minnesota, and we have US offices in Atlanta and DC, as well as offices in Africa and the Middle East.
Responsibilities:
- Clinical program development: Co-develop, pilot and implement innovative approaches to torture and trauma rehabilitation ranging from trauma-informed community resilience activities to highly specialized services for survivors of atrocities. Develop manuals and other materials and resources for effective Training of Trainers (ToTs). Participate in the review and development of assessment documentation, treatment manuals, and outcome measurement tools. Assist in the day-to-day operations of the program to ensure program objectives are met and activities are implemented in a timely and professional manner.
- Clinical supervision and team management: Hire, orient, coach, mentor and develop staff members through ongoing feedback, as well as formal performance management systems. Provide individual and group clinical supervision to local physiotherapy providers that includes case discussions, live supervision, and co-therapy. Model assessment and treatment methods, lead case consultations, conduct observations and briefings, and review documentation for quality and consistency. Meet regularly with supervisees individually and as a team to determine areas of further development, to monitor progress, to provide staff support, and to promote self-care. Coordinate the physiotherapy team to optimize performance and autonomy. Promote collaboration between clinical and administrative teams to ensure quality interdisciplinary care to clients.
- Training and Community Capacity-Building: Assess skill sets, systems and methods of local mental health services, practices, and protocols. Develop capacity-building and professional development plans with measurable goals, in collaboration with CVT staff, affected communities, survivors, and partner centers. Design and carry out training programs for CVT and partner staff. Continually assess new development needs and adapt training and coaching accordingly. Build capacity of staff members to design appropriate interventions and conduct trainings. Strengthen interdisciplinary clinical practices. Provide training and coordination with other organizations to promote trauma-informed network development and to better address the needs of survivors of torture and gross human rights violations.
- Reporting: Prepare and submit reports documenting clinical and training activities and progress achieved toward program objectives.
- Other Duties: Participate in other program and organization-wide activities, meetings and trainings. Complete administrative responsibilities. Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Required education, experience, certificates, licenses or registrations
- B.S. degree from an accredited/approved school of physiotherapy/physical therapy.
- Licensure or certification as a physiotherapist or physical therapist.
- Extensive experience working as a physiotherapist with refugee, displaced, or asylum-seeking populations.
- Experience providing physiotherapy to survivors of torture.
- Experience providing physiotherapy to survivors of sexual and gender-based violence.
- Experience in trauma and/or managing clients with mental health conditions.
- Experience using a biopsychosocial approach.
- Experience supervising physiotherapists.
- International experience required.
Preferred education, experience, certificates, licenses or registrations
- Work experience in chronic pain programs.
- Work experience in pelvic, obstetric and gynaecological physiotherapy.
- Experience as part of an interdisciplinary team.
- Experience working with locally-run NGO partner organizations operating in low-resource and/or post-conflict settings.
- Experience developing manuals and other written materials for capacity building.
- Experience working in the Middle East preferred.
Competencies (Knowledge, Skills and Abilities)
- Fluency in English.
- Proficiency in Arabic Kurdish (Kormanji), Aramaic, and/or other relevant local or regional languages preferred but not required.
- Understanding of culturally appropriate, trauma-informed physiotherapy interventions, including individual, group and community-based approaches for people – particularly minorities – who have suffered torture, trauma, and historical persecution.
- Understanding of and experience developing curriculum and providing training for physiotherapists using experiential learning approaches, and providing training on sensitization on the effects of trauma and war.
- Capacity to maintain personal and professional well-being, to manage job stress and vicarious trauma, and to support supervisees in doing the same.
- Demonstrated flexibility to adapt to changing program requirements, client needs and political climate.
- Skilled at working as a member of an interdisciplinary and diverse team.
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Office suite (Outlook, Word and Excel).
- Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills.
- Interest in or commitment to human rights.
Work Environment:
- Work week is Sunday through Thursday
- Under normal conditions, work will be completed in a physiotherapy clinic, office environment, and community centers
- Remote working from home/guesthouse when required due to public health conditions, risk management constraints, and other considerations
- Time spent on computer is approximately 40%
- Frequent travel by road, including on difficult conditions, for up to 3 hours per journey
- Regular overnight and multi-day/week visits to other project sites