Mental Health & Psycho-social Support (MHPSS) Officer needed at World Health Organization (WHO), May 21 2022
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Organization: World Health Organization
Position: Mental Health & Psycho-social Support (MHPSS) Officer – (2204530)
Grade: No grade
Contractual Arrangement: Special Services Agreement (SSA)
Contract Duration (Years, Months, Days): 6 Months
Closing Date: May 28, 2022, 12:59:00 AM
Primary Location: Ethiopia
Schedule: Full-time
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Job description
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that the deadline for receipt of applications indicated above reflects your personal device’s system settings.
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OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME
The mission of WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme (The Programme) is to help countries, and to coordinate international action, to prevent, prepare for, detect, rapidly respond to, and recover from outbreaks and emergencies.
The Programme seeks to promote and uphold the humanitarian and public health principles by leading a coordinated and effective health sector response together with the national and international community, with specific attention to vulnerable and marginalized populations, through effectuating WHO’s commitment to work within the framework of the Interagency Standing Committee (IASC) and the cluster approach. The incumbent will be responsible for performing a dedicated coordination, health needs assessment, strategy development and resource mobilization, supporting the implementation and, monitoring the joint incident management system and advocacy function.
An exceptional three-season drought sequence has struck the Eastern Horn of Africa due to the poor rains in October-December 2020 and March-May 2021 followed by an extremely dry October-December 2021 season. In Ethiopia, millions are estimated to be in need of life saving humanitarian assistance affecting Somali region, Oromia and SNNP and southwest regions. To reduce excess morbidity and mortality resulting from the public health consequences of the drought-related humanitarian crisis in Ethiopia, WHO will be working with the Federal Ministry of Health, Ethiopian Public Health Emergencies Institute (EPHI) and health partners to respond to this emergency while building on existing health sector development programmes, enhancing preparedness for further deterioration of the humanitarian situation, boosting capacities and integrating risk reduction and resilience building components to foster long-term development solutions to the crisis.
PURPOSE OF THE POSITION
The MHPSS Officer will be responsible and accountable for the coordination of the MHPSS Technical Working Group activities related to the drought affected region response, liaising with relevant humanitarian clusters and MHPSS actors, governments, donors, universities, religious institutions and relevant international bodies
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
1. Coordinate the activities of the MHPSS Technical Working Group as well as the MHPSS response for Tigray, and the other thematic MHPSS working groups at zonal level and design of and deliver capacity building training of trainers, specialized training and awareness raising initiatives (orientation seminars, mini-trainings, briefings, project reviews) for MHPSS Technical Working Group members and for the regional government.
2. Develop response strategies and action plans based on the Mental health and psychosocial support situation in the affected areas, in collaboration with partners and develop and implement strategies to improve capacity of Mental health staff at the zonal level.
3. Support strengthening of existing coordination platforms for targeted MHPSS activities, and establishment of new TWGs at sub-regional level as possible and needed.
4. Map referral services and pathways and develop templates and procedures for follow up and of referrals.
5. Support partners and relevant clusters in resource mobilization for MHPSS activities and represent WHO in the zonal interagency protection and contribute to the development and implementation of MHPSS TWG assessments and other MHPSS assessment tools.
6. Perform any other related incident-specific duties, as required by the functional supervisor
Required Qualifications
EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION
Essential
First University degree in Psychiatry, Psychology, Social Work, Counselling, Pedagogy or related field from an accredited academic institution.
Desirable
Master’s degree in any of the fields listed above.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Essential
At least two years of relevant experience in the area MHPSS.
Experience in MHPSS responses in conflict/humanitarian contexts.
Desirable
Experience with UN organizations/agencies, international institutions or NGOs is an asset.
FUNCTIONAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
In depth theoretical and practical knowledge of and the IASC Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings guidelines and associated products (e.g. IASC Assessment toolkit, the 4Ws mapping tool, M&E framework, and the Health, Protection and CCCM booklets);
Independent judgment; the ability to anticipate new trends in the field of mental health and psychosocial support and take actions accordingly.
Familiarity with the humanitarian architecture (cluster system), humanitarian appeals, humanitarian response plans and common humanitarian funds;
Strong networking capacities for constructive relationships with all humanitarian actors (e.g., OCHA, ICRC, the Ethiopian Red Cross, Cluster Leads, UN agencies, INGOs, NNGOs and CBOS), Donors and relevant Government Line Ministries
Coordination skills, representation, organizing and chairing meetings/minute taking, technical cooperation programs and activities, including monitoring and evaluation of programmes.
WHO COMPETENCIES
– Communication
– Teamwork
– Producing result
– Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
– Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
Use of Language Skills
Essential:
Excellent knowledge of English. Working knowledge of the local language.
Other Skills (e.g. IT Skills)
Knowledge of Microsoft Office software applications. Excellent presentation skills.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The duty stations of this assignment are located in Oromia, Somali, SNNPR regions
Remuneration – this is a Special Service Agreement (SSA) contract at NO-B, with a monthly remuneration of $2,359
Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
A written test may be used as a form of screening.
If your candidature is retained for interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.
For information on WHO’s operations please visit: http://www.who.int.
WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
This is an assignment reserved for local recruitment; so only applications from Ethiopians will be considered.
Applications from women are particularly encouraged.
WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter into practice.
WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.
The SSA holder shall perform the work as an independent contractor in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority. The execution of the work under a SSA contract does not create an employer/employee relationship between WHO and the SSA holder.
WHO shall have no responsibility whatsoever for any taxes, duties, social security contributions or other contributions payable by the SSA holder. The SSA holder shall be solely responsible for withholding and paying any taxes, duties, social security contributions and any other contributions which are applicable to the SSA holder in each location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed, and the SSA holder shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by WHO.
