Job Title
Roving Psychologist
Band / Level / Grade
8B
Department
Health
Location
Based in Abyan with frequent visit to AlDhlee and west Cost
BACKGROUND: The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. The IRC leads the way from harm to home.
The IRC responds to people’s acute and longer-term needs with integrated programs that improve health and safety, prioritize children’s education, foster economic wellbeing, and empower communities to regain control over their lives. Our work gives rise to some of the most pressing issues facing contemporary humanitarian action, including questions of access, conflict sensitivity, coordination, and impact.
The IRC Yemen began its programs in October 2012. Since establishing its presence in the South of Yemen, in the Red Sea Coastal city of Aden, the organization has grown from just an implementing small project to handling large scale emergency and relief operations. Following the war which broke out in Yemen in March of 2015 and the humanitarian disaster, which was crafted by the same, IRC launched one an emergency response program in the southern governorates of Aden, Lahj, Abyan, Shabwah and Al Dhale, and expanded later in Sana’a and Hodeidah in the North. Currently IRC Yemen is operating in eight governorates in the south and north of Yemen through direct programming and through local partnerships, in Health, WASH, Nutrition, Economic Recovery Development, Education, Child Protection, Gender and Women Protection and Empowerment.
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) have been working in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) for more than forty years. Today, the IRC has more than 2,200 staff working across the region, including in Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Syria, and Yemen to support those affected by some of the world’s most complex and protracted humanitarian crises.
Scope of work:The mental health and psychosocial support department seeks to ensure that crisis-affected populations have access to high-quality humanitarian services focusing on the promotion, prevention, and treatment.
Job summary:The Roving psychologist will provide evidence-based preventative and curative services to people suffering from mental health concerns. They will be working closely with medical teams in mobile clinics, supported HFs, community teams, and EmONC centers. The psychologist will handle cases, conducting appropriate referrals to a psychiatrist if needed, and protection services & will provide psychological interventions based on the needs and communicating complaints.
Working relations:This position will be directly mentored by the Community and Mental Health Manager.
Main responsibilities: Implementing psychosocial activities and providing psychological consultations regularly. Ensure all work with clients is confidential and that ethical practices are observed. Establish a safe space to conduct private and confidential sessions acceptable to those on the site and safely accessible by women and children. Assess the client’s needs, communicating complaints, and developing a care plan with the client based on those needs, including referrals to other services; Support the client(s) coping process and mobilize their internal and external resources for processing acute adversity. Identify concerns related to and support adherence to referral protocols and guiding principles for gender-based violence. Supervise & support community health workers and health workers in providing psychosocial support and psychological first aid. Training of community midwives and health workers on MhGAP, PM+, and THP Maintain effective working relationships with relevant partners, including referral organizations, community groups, and other implementing partners. Producing timely progress reports, including quantitative and qualitative information, on mental health and psychosocial support. activities and clinical case studies Collaborate with the rest of the team to exchange information and ensure that IRC programs are responding to the evolving needs of IDPs, refugees, and the host community. Refer patients to other health providers as necessary. Provide psycho education sessions to the family members of clients when needed. Other duties as assigned by the supervisor to enable and develop IRC programs. Participate in weekly team meetings.Minimum Qualifications:Requirements:
A. Education:
Diploma or College Degree in Psychology, Social or Humanitarian sciences. A master’s degree is preferred. B. Experience: Minimum two years of experience in a similar position with National or International NGOs. C. Skills and Abilities: Interpersonal and communication skills. Strong observational skills. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and the internet. Strong collaboration skills. Ability to work collaboratively with communities and other departments within IRC, health facilities, and other organizations. Good written and spoken Arabic; ability to communicate in English. D. Proficiencies: Strong knowledge of public health practices in crisis-affected areas. Analytical and reporting skills, including the ability to interpret health data. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills in both Arabic and English. Ability to handle multiple tasks and work under pressure in dynamic environments. Strong coordination and organizational skills. Professional Standards:The IRC and IRC workers must enforce the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. Following these values, the IRC operates and implements policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti-Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.
IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants based on merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, age, marital status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
IRC strives to build a diverse and inclusive team at all levels who as individuals, and as a group, embody our culture statement creating a working environment characterized by critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity for us to achieve our aspirations as a team and deliver the best possible services to our clients.
Gender Equality: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce, including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols, and other supportive benefits and allowances.
Commitment to Client Responsiveness: At IRC Yemen, we prioritize client-centered programming, ensuring that our clients are at the heart of our services. Our staff plays a crucial role in promoting awareness of feedback mechanisms, response processes, and service accessibility, fostering an institutional culture that encourages active listening and client engagement.
Standard of Professional Conduct:The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality.