IMC recruits 01 MHPSS Psychiatrist

International Medical Corps is a global humanitarian nonprofit organization dedicated to saving lives and relieving suffering through health care training and relief and development programs.

Established in 1984 by volunteer doctors and nurses, International Medical Corps is a private, voluntary, nonpolitical, nonsectarian organization. Its mission is to improve the quality of life through health interventions and related activities that build local capacity in areas worldwide. By offering training and health care to local populations and medical assistance to people at high risk, and with the flexibility to respond rapidly to emergency situations, International Medical Corps rehabilitates devastated health care systems and helps bring them back to self-reliance.

Background

International Medical Corps interventions in the Central African Republic consist of the provision emergency Health, and Nutrition Care services, as well as emergency Protection assistance in response to gender-based violence perpetrated against Internally Displaced People and vulnerable host communities, affected by conflict. While providing basic primary health care services to the beneficiaries, International Medical Corps also focuses on capacity building of existing human resources, in order to deliver and take ownership of health, nutrition and protection programs implemented by International Medical Corps, thus assuring the sustainability of the health program for the coming years.

International Medical Corps, with the support of OFDA, DFID, GATE and ECHO, acts as a first responder to the CAR humanitarian crisis in Ouakka, Vakaga and Haute-Kotto Provinces. International Medical Corps has also extended its partnership with the EC, through the Bekou Trust Fund, to carry out a multi-year project; The CAR Health System Strengthening, Phase 3.

Job Purpose

Under the overall guidance of the IMC Field manager, Program Coordinator and the Medical Director, s/he will implement and manage the mental health and psychosocial support component of the IMC program in Ouakka district.

Main Responsibilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function with or without reasonable accommodation. The tasks listed are representative of the nature and level of work assigned and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

• Ensure that mental health (MH) services are integrated into general health care focusing on the 6 mhGap priority conditions including depression, psychosis, epilepsy, alcohol and drug abuse and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Conduct a situational analysis of the current mental health practices and resources at the health facility and community levels.
• Design a Mental Health curriculum and training materials in line with WHO’s mhGAP Intervention Guidelines, utilizing available resource: Other recently released products to strengthen integrated mental health programs beyond the clinical capacity component include a online, interactive toolkit for integrating mental health programs in general healthcare in humanitarian settings (International Medical Corps) which has set an accepted framework for mental health integration and an mhGAP operations guide for use in development settings (WHO).
• Provide theoretical mhGAP training and on the job supervision to IMC and Ministry of Health skilled staff (doctors and nurses), dedicated to the provision of primary health care, with integrated mental health
• Provide theoretical training to unskilled MoH staff affected in the supported health post (Traditional Birth Attendant and First Aid Worker) in the identification and referral of 6 mhGAP priorities conditions. Additionally the Psychiatrist will train on psychosocial support topics, like coping skills, Psychological First Aid and mental health awareness
• Supervision/on the job training to trained MoH staff in identification and referral of patients presenting with 6 mhGAP priorities conditions and in the psychosocial support.
• Supervision/on the job training to IMC and MoH staff skilled staff in the pharmaceutical case management in patients presenting with 6 mhGAP priority conditions.
• Oversee the provision of mental health services including pharmacological and psychosocial interventions.
• Strengthen referral pathways and support CHWs in conducting community outreach and mental health promotion.

REPORTING TO

• The MHPSS Specialist reports directly to the Field manager, program coordinator and the Medical Director. He/She will be in charge making reports on monthly, quarterly, semi-annual and annual basis, as per the donor, as well as International Medical Corps, requirements.

ESSENTIALS DUTIES

• Provide training in the identification and management of priority mental health conditions to IMC staff in line with WHO mhGAP Intervention Guidelines (WHO mhGAP-IG) and in coordination with national authorities and the IMC Technical Unit. Adhere to the priority mental health conditions targeted by the program (psychosis, depression, epilepsy, and alcohol and drug abuse, PTSD)
• Identify and train local CHWs/volunteers in community outreach, case finding and mental health promotion, while also strengthening the clinical skills of nurses and doctors who work as part of the mental health program staff.
• Oversee mental health and psychosocial support consultations and services along with identified IMC medical staff as needed within the health facilities.
• Ensure completion and analysis of pre and post knowledge tests, training evaluations and on the job supervision checklists.
• Ensure that WHO essential psychotropic medications are available at health facilities.
• Take responsibility for collection and reporting of mental health project data.
• Actively lead or participate in coordination mechanisms (e.g. Health, general coordination, potential MHPSS coordination group) and advocate for principles of IASC MHPSS guidelines.
• Assist in hiring of national staff as needed.
• Implement the project in line with IMC and global MHPSS standards and guidelines and closely coordinate with IMC Technical Unit Global Mental Health Advisor for development and review of training materials, documentation and reports.
• Ensure adequate provision and management psychotropic drugs.
• Elaborate weekly, monthly and ad-hoc reports and data collection on mental health. Contribute to donor’s reports/proposals regarding mental health activity.
• Work with Logistics staff to ensure the coordination of Mental Health and Psycho-social Support supplies

Code of Conduct

It is our shared responsibility and obligation to prevent matters involving Sexual Exploitation & Abuse, Trafficking in Persons, Child Safeguarding and any suggested violation to our Code of Conduct, which may involve Conflicts of Interest, Fraud, Corruption or Harassment.  If you see, hear or are made aware of any suggested activities then you have an obligation to report.

• University degree in psychiatric medicine with 3+ years of experience working on MHPSS programs, preferably in humanitarian settings.

Experience

• Fluency in French required. Basic to good level of English is required.
• Strong organizational and supervisory skills.
• Training and supervision experience required.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work within different cultural environments.
• Ability to work in difficult environments under very basic living conditions.
• Ability to work within a team structure or in isolation, flexible, and ability to cope with stressful workloads and working with limited resources.

Equal Opportunities

International Medical Corps is proud to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, age, disability or status as a veteran.