PSYCHOSOCIAL WORKER – Male - Handicap International

Project: AMAL – Action for Mental Health Assistance in Libya

GLOBAL OBJECTIVE OF THE POSITION

• To provide appropriate Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS), within the scope of their professional training and experience, to people with psychosocial distress and mental health disorders.
• To provide appropriate advice and support to caregivers of people with psychosocial distress and mental health disorders, with special attention to the psychosocial aspect, and enable them to more effectively manage their responsibility as caregiver.
• To professionally represent Handicap International (HI) at all times and be involved in the dissemination of information about HI activities in Libya to appropriate persons including people with psychosocial distress and mental health disorders, caregivers, community leaders, other organizations and officials as required.

HIERARCHICAL RELATIONSHIPS

Line manager: Project Manager (PM)

Functional link: Psychosocial Technical Supervisor (PSS TS, based in Tripoli), and Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Technical Coordinator (MHPSS TC, based in Tunis)

In addition, the Psychosocial Worker (PSW) is required to work in close collaboration with Database Operator (DBO).

RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS DESCRIPTION

Specific tasks include:

1. Actively participate in the development of project specific tools, and advise on aspects of MHPSS in relation to the fields of psychosocial distress and mental health disorders

• Provide feedback and suggestions in the development of project specific forms (assessment, follow up and discharge) and other tools or materials related to MHPSS that are required during the project.
• Take care to understand the established project tools – their purpose and how to use them effectively.
• Provide feedback, suggestions and content for beneficiary guidance materials (both personal feedback and from beneficiaries), particularly those relating to aspects of MHPSS.

2. Identifying and assessing the specific needs of program beneficiaries, including psychosocial and mental health needs and wider social / community needs:

• Work as a team to identify, to record and to analyze beneficiary’s specifics needs (psychosocial distress, mental health disorders, disabilities and vulnerabilities) within the community.
• Actively seek and identify individuals in need of MHPSS services, within the scope of HI activities and according to beneficiary guidelines.
• Complete a full MHPSS assessment taking into account psychological, social and environmental factors in cooperation with the beneficiary’s caregivers and/or family members wherever possible.
• Based on the beneficiary assessment, formulate a MHPSS plan taking into account psychological needs, social situation and access to services. Ensure a global vision of the individual and familial needs identified.
• Communicate effectively with the beneficiary’s caregivers and/or family members to ascertain further MHPSS needs.

3. To provide safe and appropriate MHPSS interventions:

• Adapt the intervention to the beneficiary’s specific needs, taking into account the scope of the project interventions and ensure informed consent has been received by the beneficiary prior to giving any MHPSS sessions, consultations or referrals.
• Maintain the safety and confidentiality of the beneficiary at all times during and after sessions.
• Plan and provide appropriate MHPSS follow up sessions for the beneficiary and the caregiver

4. Refer the beneficiary to other services as required including medical care facilities, MHPSS facilities, partners, local and international organizations and other specialized services:

• Within the scope of your training and ability and with support from HI PSS TS, effectively identify cases of severe mental illness or cases needing more specialized MHPSS services and provide referrals to the appropriate services.
• Identify of “Red flags” or cases requiring immediate medical attention and refer them to the appropriate services.
• Identify any other needs from the beneficiaries and refer them to the existing services providers validated by HI for referrals (all sectors).
• Follow HI-Libya procedures in provision of referral letters for beneficiaries and follow up of referrals.
• Maintain accurate and up to date knowledge of all services available for referrals (medical, non-medical and activities of other organizations) in the area of intervention.
• Actively take part in maintaining and updating information in HI-Libya ‘mapping’ database (i.e. mapping of services database) within the area of intervention.

5. Develop and reinforce the relationships with stakeholders including INGOs, authorities, community focal points, in the field of MHPSS to improve the beneficiary identification system:

• With support from PM and PSS TS, develop, maintain and follow-up cordial relationships with stakeholders in the field of MHPSS, and any other relevant sectors (social affairs, education, etc.)
• Share with fellow team members the cases located outside of your area of intervention or beyond your capacity.

6. Actively participate in data reporting, follow-up and management of beneficiary cases and organization of activities:

• Ensure accurate qualitative and quantitative follow up of beneficiaries according to the project planning. Ensure all relevant data and documentation is completed.
• Effective use of the assessment and data reporting tools including MHPSS Pre and Post Assessment Forms and referral– all in the required electronic / paper format.
• Contribute to the daily and weekly work plans, with the support of PM.
• Actively complete any other reports to be made upon line manager request including reports for stakeholders, donors and other organizations.
• Actively follow up all referrals made and report appropriately according to project requirements.
• Actively participate in the implementation of referral mechanisms and follow-up of monitoring of care in selected health facilities

7. Participate in the reporting, discussion and analysis (both formal and informal) of global issues in the population, with a focus on MHPSS:

• Contribute to formal and informal discussion with the HI team on issues affecting the community from a MHPSS perspective.
• Be part of a constructive holistic team work to develop a very qualitative analysis and response for people with psychosocial distress, mental health disorders and vulnerable persons.
• Provide written or verbal reports in relation to the issues discussed upon line manager request.

8. Participate in technical MHPSS and/or capacity building for staff at health facilities, partner organizations etc.:

• Participate in the delivery and facilitation of training to external staff, upon request of and in close collaboration with PM, PSS TS and other technical support persons.
• Support the implementation of training on topics on MHPSS
• Provide informal and on the job training or information sessions for colleagues and relevant stakeholders as needed.
• Propose and develop awareness sessions at a community level on MHPSS with special focus on psychoeducation, inclusion and right of people with psychosocial distress and mental health disorders, and on available services (as appropriate and within the scope of project objectives).
• Support awareness sessions in universities on MHPSS needs and curriculum

9. To demonstrate an ethical and professional practice at all times:

• Respect and ensure beneficiary confidentiality and safety. Ensure timely reporting of any incidents or acts that cause any harm to beneficiary or to others (i.e. protection issues).
• Respect and promote HI’s Policies on Child Protection and Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) and report to the line manager any dis-respect of HI’s policies amongst the teams or partners.
• Always ask permission prior to beginning any consultation or MHPSS session.
• Behave respectfully with regards to culture and religious backgrounds of beneficiaries and always respect a refusal of MHPSS sessions.

10. To demonstrate willingness to improve professional competencies and continuously improve the quality of psychosocial services provided through HI:

• Participate willingly and actively in training sessions and capacity building activities organized by HI at both national and international levels.
• Actively seek information and feedback on difficult beneficiary cases from PSS TS or MHPSS TC where appropriate.
• Respect each team member’s positions, work, and specialty.

Note: Psychosocial Workers will be requested to remain very flexible, to respond to additional tasks or changes as identified by the line manager.

As the position is involved in sensitive topics such as security or strategy, he/she must observe absolute discretion within and outside HI. 

Disrespect of this clause might have immediate dismissal as a result.

REQUIRED PROFILE

Professional and Personal Requirements:

• Bachelor degree in social work , Psychology or any other relevant qualification complement by 2 years of experience in Humanitarian sector or social work
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Ability to work under pressure in stressful situations
• Willing to travel \No double job

Languages:

• Preferably Written and/or spoken English
• Libyan national, fluent in Arabic (written & spoken) is a must

Desirable:

• Previous experience working with International or National NGOs.
• You will be sensitive to the needs of vulnerable persons, regardless of age, gender, religion and background.
• Should possess initiative, strong analytical skills and the ability to support others, evaluate and negotiate appropriate options in difficult situations.

TIME SCHEDULE

The working hours are the following: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm with one hour lunch break

Application:

Please send your CV and Cover Letter, by email with the reference subject “AMAL Psychosocial Worker – Benghazi” to “recruitment-benghazi@libya.hi.org” or via Libyan Jobs website

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