Emergency Mental Health Officer - Mali 13-065

Job Location:

Job Description:

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 underserved communities worldwide. By offering training and health care to local populations and medical assistance to people at highest 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.

PROGRAM BACKGROUND
International Medical Corps’ emergency assessment team conducted multi-sector assessments in Konna, Douentza and Timbuktu in January and February 2013 following the international military intervention by French and ECOWAS troops in northern Mali. Urgent humanitarian gaps in health, nutrition and WASH were identified in Timbuktu from the assessments.

JOB SUMMARY

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSABILITIES:
1. Conduct/participate in a Mental Health/Psychological needs assessment among the affected populations. This will include baseline assessments consistent with IASC guidelines and MHPSS WHO assessment toolkit (e.g. assessment of mental health problems presenting at PHC clinics and a rapid community based assessment of psychosocial needs).
2. Join or initiate emergency interagency coordination mechanisms for the provision of mental health and psychosocial support (IASC Reference group in coordination with IMC Mental Health and Psychosocial Advisor)
a. Share relevant information.
b. Plan joint assessments and response strategies
3. Collaborate with existing government structures and local authorities organizing emergency response
4. Identify suitable local partner organizations and institutions for joint MHPSS work
5. Develop the strategy and mechanisms to integrate a MH/psychosocial component into IMC programmes in keeping with IASC guidelines of mental health and psychosocial support in emergencies
6. Identify and where appropriate collaborate with existing indigenous healing services
7. Provide emergency mental health services and psychosocial support as needed to affected population (precise programming depending on identified needs, existing services and capacities and actions of other agencies)
8. Train ERT and national staff in key aspects of psychological first aid and relevant aspects of IASC guidelines (1/2 day)
9. Initiate training of identified staff in appropriate skills ( e.g frontline mental health care for PHC workers, ps community psychosocial support skills )
10. Assist with the development of proposals
11. Hire national staff to implement emergency response and future programmes