MHPSS Associate

Applications are welcome from internal and external candidates. For all IOM vacancies, applications from qualified and eligible first-tier candidates are considered before those of qualified and eligible second-tier candidates in the selection process. For the purpose of this vacancy, internal candidates are considered first-tier candidates.
IOM Ireland has been operating in Ireland since 2001, currently in following areas of migration management: Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration, Resettlement, Family Reunification, Counter-Trafficking, Protection, Integration Support to Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection, Integrated Immigration Governance and Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS).

IOM provides mental health and psychosocial support to international protection seekers residing in the Citywest accommodation facility with the aim to improve their psychosocial well-being and to strengthen their overall resilience.

Context:

Under the overall supervision of Chief of Mission, Head of Unit, coordination from Counselling and Case Management Coordinator and the direct supervision of the Senior Conselling Associate, the incumbent will support in the implementation of project activities related to the provision of counselling services to international protection applicants hosted in transit accommodation centres in Ireland.

• Provide individual and group counselling to the affected population in need.
• Coordinate with the Site Coordinator Assistant and other members of the team the integration of mental health and psychosocial support considerations in community-based activities along the full spectrum of the intervention pyramid.
• Conduct rapid MHPSS assessments to residents, in collaboration with the Social Worker, and inform the existing referral mechanisms.
• In collaboration with the Community Mobilizer, design psychoeducation sessions for the communities, based on identified and emerging needs.
• In collaboration with the Community Mobilizer, supervise artistic mediation activities for vulnerable cases.
• Provide training sessions in PFA and basic counselling skills to humanitarian actors, community focal points and volunteers, and other team members.
• Identify and refer people with severe mental disorders, in coordination with the referral team, if existing.
• Coordinate with the referral team and other team members the inclusion of people with mental disorders in other activities promoted by the teams.
• Develop awareness messages/campaigns related to mental health and psychosocial support to be disseminated to communities. Coordinate with other members of the teams the most efficacious ways to convey those messages.
• Organize support and discussion groups and forums.
• Facilitate MHPSS needs assessments, surveys and research in the concerned communities of the project to enhance access to community-based psychosocial services and specialized mental health care for international protection applicants.
• Map existing support provisions at the microlevel and design, together with the supervisor, initiatives to reinforce their capacity.
• Report daily activities and preparing statistics reports.
• Identify gaps (i.e., lack of cultural mediation services) that should be referred to the project management and local authorities for further action.
• Develop and maintain an efficient mental health referral system for refugees, in coordination with other governmental and/or partner agencies.
• Ensure the confidentiality of medical information of the migrants and refugees.
• Perform such other duties, as may be assigned.

Education

• Postgraduate University degree in Clinical Psychology, Counselling Psychology, Educational Psychology, Pastoral Counselling, Counselling Social Work or other appropriate mental health care profession/related subject with three years of relevant work experience. Master’s degree in above fields is an advantage.
• Registration or chartered membership with the equivalent to the Psychological Association would be an asset

Accredited Universities are those listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database. Experience

• Registration or chartered membership with the equivalent to the Psychological Association would be an asset.
• At least 3 years of experience with relevant population or paid experience in a clinical setting.
• Previous experience in counselling and protection activities in related areas of intervention is an advantage.
• Experience in emergency response setting would be an advantage.
• Previous experience with international organizations, NGOs, EU Agencies and/or Irish law enforcements or Government’s Departments would be an asset.
• Knowledge of PFA and IASC guideli