Country: Niger
Closing date: 13 Jun 2018
Position Title : Project Officer (Mental Health and Psychosocial Support(MHPSS))
Duty Station : Niamey, Niger
Classification : Professional Staff, Grade P2
Type of Appointment : Fixed term, one year with possibility of extension
Estimated Start Date : As soon as possible
Closing Date : 13 June 2018
Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations, and as the leading
UN agency in the field of migration, works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and
non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.
IOM is committed to a diverse and inclusive environment. Applications from qualified female candidates are especially encouraged. For the purpose of the vacancy, the following candidates are considered as first-tier candidates:
1. Internal candidates
2. Qualified applicants from the following NMS countries:
Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Congo, Cabo Verde, Czech Republic, Djibouti, Fiji, Micronesia (Federated States of), Gabon, Guyana, Iceland, Comoros, Lesotho, Libya, Montenegro, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Malawi, Namibia, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Seychelles, Slovenia, Suriname, El Salvador, Swaziland, Timor-Leste, Holy See, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Vanuatu, Samoa
Context:
Irregular migration along the Central Mediterranean route is increasingly dangerous for migrants. Crossing the Mediterranean to Italy is by far the deadliest route, with 1 death recorded for 35 arrivals (IOM, 2016). In addition, over 70% of the migrants interviewed by IOM on their arrival in Italy report that they were victims of trafficking or other exploitative practices during their migratory journey along the routes of the Central Mediterranean.
To meet these challenges, the European Union (EU) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) have developed the Joint Initiative for Migrant Protection and Reintegration in Africa (hereinafter “Joint Initiative”). Implemented in 14 countries (Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal and The Gambia) through 14 specific actions, it aims to protect the security, dignity and rights of migrants along this important and dangerous migration route and to help in improving the reintegration of returnees through an innovative approach. This will be achieved through different types of interventions including protection and assistance to vulnerable and stranded migrants, assistance for voluntary return, and support for sustainable reintegration in the communities of origin, the dissemination of accurate information on migration to migrants, potential migrants and communities, and the collection of data on migration flows. The Initiative will aim to strengthen the technical and material capacities of authorities and organizations involved in these areas so that they can ultimately take over the policies and programmes related to the protection and reintegration of migrants developed and/or strengthened in the region, with a view to improving the governance of migration in the region.
Under the overall supervision of the Programme Manager (Migration Resource and Response Mechanism (MRRM)), the technical supervision of the regional Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MPHSS) coordinator and the direct supervision of the Protection Officer, the successful candidate will in close coordination with local partners, address the psychosocial wellbeing of returning migrants through direct assistance at reception and transit, and during the phase of reintegration assistance.
Core Functions / Responsibilities:
• Carry out assessments of psychosocial and psychological needs, identify problems/gaps and propose/prioritise timely practical actions to respond to particular mental health and psychosocial issues related to the migrants transiting by IOM transit centres.
• Communicate with appropriate IOM units and field offices, including with protection, operations and communication units.
• When needed and feasible, facilitate response to individual cases of concern, in close coordination with the rest of the MRRM team (protection and medical notably) in charge, and refer or treat them as appropriate (e.g. screening, interview, counselling, referral or assistance, depending on programme capacities), especially to the psychiatric and other referral institutions for follow up.
• Assess training needs on Psychological First Aid and other relevant skills and implement capacity building activities among field based colleagues, local authorities, local Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), International NGOs, the UN country team and other stakeholders.
• Draft regular reports covering MHPSS activities; facilitate the preparation of briefing, statistical/narrative reports and background information as required, including specific information requested by Officials and other entities.
• Assist with the draft and coordination of cooperation agreements, Memoranda of Understanding with government entities, donors, partner agencies, NGOs, contractors and other stakeholders, in close coordination with Programme Managers and colleagues from the Procurement and Logistic unit.
• Undertake duty travels, in line with prevailing security restrictions, relating to project assessments, liaison with counterparts, and project implementation, as required.
• Perform such other duties as may be assigned.
Required Qualifications and Experience:
Education
• Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology, Counselling Psychology, Counselling or a related field from an accredited academic institution with two years of relevant professional experience; or
• University degree in the above fields with four years of relevant professional experience.
Experience
• Sound experience in psychosocial support;
• Knowledge of reintegration needs of migrants;
• Experience in provision of integrated psychosocial support to migrants;
• Counseling and training skills;
• Proven experience in humanitarian settings is considered an advantage.
Languages
Fluency in English and French is required.
Desirable Competencies:
Behavioral
• Accountability – takes responsibility for action and manages constructive criticisms;
• Client Orientation – works effectively well with client and stakeholders;
• Continuous Learning – promotes continuous learning for self and others;
• Communication – listens and communicates clearly, adapting delivery to the audience;
• Creativity and Initiative – actively seeks new ways of improving programmes or services;
• Leadership and Negotiation – develops effective partnerships with internal and external stakeholders;
• Performance Management – identify ways and implement actions to improve performance of self and others;
• Planning and Organizing - plans work, anticipates risks, and sets goals within area of responsibility;
• Professionalism - displays mastery of subject matter;
• Teamwork – contributes to a collegial team environment; incorporates gender related needs, perspectives, concerns and promotes equal gender participation;
• Technological Awareness - displays awareness of relevant technological solutions;
• Resource Mobilization - works with internal and external stakeholders to meet resource needs of IOM.
Other:
Internationally recruited professional staff are required to be mobile.
Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.
The list of NMS countries above includes all IOM Member States which are non-represented in the Professional Category of staff members. For this staff category, candidates who are nationals of the duty station’s country cannot be considered eligible.
Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.
How to apply:
Interested candidates are invited to submit their applications via PRISM, IOM e-Recruitment system, by 13 June 2018 at the latest, referring to this advertisement.
For further information, please refer to:
http://www.iom.int/cms/en/sites/iom/home/about-iom-1/recruitment/how-to-apply.html
In order for an application to be considered valid, IOM only accepts online profiles duly completed.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. You can track the progress of your application on your personal application page in the IOM e-recruitment system.
Posting period:
From 31.05.2018 to 13.06.2018
Requisition: VN 2018/136 (P) - Project Officer (MHPSS) (P2) - Niamey, Niger (55506466) Released
Posting: Posting NC55506470 (55506470) Released