MHPSS Psychosocial Worker

The humanitarian crisis in Ukraine has increased the country’s mental health and psychosocial support needs, adding to the distressing conditions caused by the war in Ukraine, which escalated in February 2022 and a strained health system. As efforts towards, recovery and resilience progress further, MHPSS will continue to become a priority need for Ukrainians in the aftermath of the humanitarian emergency. In response, IOM is expanding its efforts in Ukraine through the comprehensive community-based mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) approach. This programme will adhere to IOM’s global MHPSS standards, as specified in the manual on community-based mental health and psychosocial support in emergencies and displacement. It involves the support of local initiatives and territorial communities in provision of the community-based MHPSS services. This will help hromada level recovery and supporting particularly vulnerable groups in the community. The aim is to enhance community and family resilience, helping them to better cope with the distressing situations brought about by the crisis. The programme will also contribute to preparedness efforts in case of any future emergency situation.

Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing

3R (Response, Resilience and Recovery) Unit, (Mental Health and Psychosocial Support)

Responsibilities

Tasks to be performed under this contract: Category A Consultants: Tasks to be performed under this contract:

• •  Collaborate with the MHPSS Team Leader and other team members to integrate mental health and psychosocial support considerations in community-based activities, following the full spectrum of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (the IASC) intervention pyramid.
  •  Strengthen existing social networks and promote participatory initiatives aimed at activating protective, restorative, and transformative psychosocial factors at the community level, such as mutual support, interfamily cooperation, public gatherings, and dialogue.
  •  Provide individual and group counselling to the affected people.
  •  Perform such other duties as may be assigned.
  •  Conduct training sessions on Psychological First Aid (PFA), stress management, team building, conflict management, communication skills, and community-based approaches in MHPSS, based on needs, for humanitarian actors, community focal points, volunteers, and IOM Ukraine team members.
  •  Design and implement psychoeducation sessions tailored to the identified and emerging needs of communities.

•  Develop and disseminate awareness messages and campaigns related to mental health and psychosocial support, coordinating with team members to ensure effective communication.
•  Organize and facilitate support groups, discussion forums, and other community-based activities to address identified social issues within the community.
•  Assist in conducting MHPSS needs assessments, data collection surveys, focus group discussions, key informant interviews and research in Kyiv Oblast under the supervision of the MHPSS Team Leader to support improved access to community-based psychosocial services and specialized mental health care.
•  Under the direction of program management, support the MHPSS Team Leader in managing partnerships with local implementing partners. This includes liaising with partners to ensure the effective planning and coordination of community-based creative and cultural activities for diverse groups including IDPs and the local communities.
•  Implement MHPSS components of integrated MHPSS-Livelihoods program (MLI) and MHPSS projects supporting Veterans, their families and families of fallen Veterans.
•  Promote and organize cultural initiatives, such as social theatre performances, visual arts and music courses, handcraft workshops, language and culture courses, storytelling and poetry contests, and sports activities, based on community needs.
•  Support the MHPSS Team Leader in coaching and supervising the implementation process of local partners and community-based approaches.
•  Undergo roving duty travel in Ukraine, with readiness to be regularly available for travel with short notice in case of emergency situations.
•  Proper reporting and data entry of activities in tracker sheets and proper documentation of the community-based activities as well as the use of proper donor visibility in coordination with the MHPSS Team Leader.
•  Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Performance indicator for the evaluation of results:

•  The successful implementation of the quarterly plan of action, reaching the target number of individuals and services outlines in the plan with the proper quality of service delivery in line with IOM guidelines.
•  The fulfillment of the time on the job required as indicated in the contract, which will be confirmed through a detailed time sheet.

Qualifications

IOM Ukraine is looking for individuals with previous experience in MHPSS work, community work, and teamwork. Candidates should be prepared for frequent travel across western oblasts and respond to emergencies as needed. Previous track record of innovative work and taking initiatives locally will be a strong asset.

The Consultant should meet the following requirements:

•  Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Counseling, Educational Psychology, Psychotherapy, Social Sciences, Social Work, or a related field, with at least of 2 years of working experience.
•  Previous experience in mental health, social and protection activities in related areas of intervention is an advantage.
•  Experience in communicating and working with a wide range of people, including people of culturally diverse backgrounds.

Travel required

Yes

Required Competencies

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link. Competencies will be assessed during the selection process.

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. eeHxIGp BhPZf8
•  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.
•  Courage: Demonstrates willingness to take a stand on issues of importance.
•  Empathy: Shows compassion for others, makes people feel safe, respected and fairly treated.

Core Competencies – behavioral indicators

•  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 actions and delegated work.
•  Communication: Encourages and contributes to clear and open communication. Explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.

Notes

•  Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.
•  Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, verification of residency, visa, and authorizations by the concerned Government, where applicable. Vaccination against COVID-19 will be required for IOM personnel who are hired or otherwise engaged by IOM. As part of the mandatory medical entry on duty clearance, candidates may be requested to provide evidence of full vaccination. Consultants engaged to work on a home-based consultancy who do not need to travel do not need to provide vaccination records, regardless of the length of the consultancy contract.
•  IOM covers Consultants against occupational accidents and illnesses under the Compensation Plan (CP), free of charge, for the duration of the consultancy. IOM does not provide evacuation or medical insurance for reasons related to non-occupational accidents and illnesses. Consultants are responsible for their own medical insurance for non-occupational accident or illness and will be required to provide written proof of such coverage before commencing work.
•  IOM does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, processing, training or other fee). IOM does not request any information related to bank accounts.
•  IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM online recruitment system. The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application.

For further information and other job postings, you are welcome to visit our website: IOM Careers and Job Vacancies