Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is an intergovernmental organization established in 1951, with a mission to promote humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. IOM operates in over 150 countries and has a workforce of more than 10,000 employees. The organization focuses on providing services and advice concerning migration to governments and migrants alike, ensuring that migration is safe, orderly, and dignified. IOM's work encompasses a wide range of migration-related issues, including humanitarian assistance, migration management, and the promotion of social and economic development through migration.

Job Overview:
The Mental Health and psychosocial-support" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Psychosocial Support Officer will work under the supervision of the Project Manager for Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration (AVRR) and the Chief of Mission, with direct oversight from the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Officer. The primary focus of this role is to support the implementation and monitoring of MHPSS activities within the AVRR programme in The Gambia. This position is crucial in enhancing the mental health and psychosocial support services provided to returnees, ensuring that local actors, particularly at the state level, are equipped to deliver these services effectively. The incumbent will be responsible for planning, monitoring, and coordinating MHPSS activities, including training IOM staff and partners, organizing community-level sensitization activities, and maintaining accurate documentation of reintegration assistance for vulnerable returnees. The role also involves liaising with various stakeholders to facilitate program coordination and partnerships, collecting and analyzing data for reporting purposes, and supporting protection screening and needs assessment activities.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support the planning and monitoring of MHPSS programme activities, ensuring accurate tracking of implementation progress and maintaining comprehensive records.
• Assist in the organization and delivery of training activities for IOM colleagues and partner staff involved in MHPSS support for returnees, including logistical arrangements and documentation of training sessions.
• Facilitate community-level sensitization activities by organizing psychosocial and recreational activities tailored to the needs of returnees.
• Maintain accurate documentation and beneficiary records for reintegration assistance provided to vulnerable returnees, ensuring timely reporting.
• Assist in the daily functioning of the MHPSS component, tracking activity implementation and supporting workflow.
• Liaise with governmental, non-governmental, and international organizations to enhance program coordination and partnerships.
• Collect, compile, and analyze information for reports on MHPSS activities, supporting evidence-based programming.
• Monitor activities implemented by local partners, reviewing records and progress reports, and identifying issues for follow-up.
• Support protection screening and needs assessment activities through data collection and reporting. 1
• Undertake field visits to monitor and document MHPSS activities. 1
• Perform any other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Required Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Counselling, Psychiatry, or Social Work from an accredited institution, with a minimum of four years of professional experience; or a High School diploma with at least six years of professional experience.
• Proven experience in supporting mental health and psychosocial support activities, particularly with migrant populations.
• Knowledge of MHPSS programme activities, protection mechanisms, and case management processes.
• Familiarity with migration issues, including return, reintegration, trafficking, and smuggling of migrants.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and general IT skills.
• Understanding of project administration, monitoring, and evaluation concepts and procedures.
• Experience in liaising with governmental authorities and other relevant stakeholders.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as Psychology, Counselling, Psychiatry, or Social Work from an accredited academic institution. Alternatively, candidates with a High School diploma and significant professional experience (six years) in related fields may also be considered. Accredited institutions are those recognized in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of four years of professional experience in mental health and psychosocial support activities. Experience working with migrant populations is considered an advantage. The ideal candidate will have a solid understanding of MHPSS programme activities, protection mechanisms, and case management processes, as well as experience in preparing reports and maintaining records. Familiarity with migration-related issues and experience liaising with governmental and non-governmental organizations is essential.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, along with proficiency in at least one local language. IOM's official languages include English, French, and Spanish, and proficiency in these languages may be evaluated during the selection process through written and/or oral assessments.

Additional Notes:
This position is subject to local recruitment, and only candidates holding a valid residence and work permit for The Gambia will be considered. The appointment is contingent upon funding confirmation and medical fitness certification. Recommended candidates may remain eligible for similar positions for a period of 24 months. IOM has a zero-tolerance policy regarding conduct incompatible with its objectives, including discrimination and harassment. The organization does not charge any fees during the recruitment process and only accepts applications submitted through its online recruitment system.