Psychologist

Job Posting Organization:
The Independent Institution on Missing Persons in the Syrian Arab Republic (IIMP) was established by the General Assembly in its resolution 77/301, adopted on 29 June 202

• The organization aims to address the issue of missing persons in Syria, focusing on the needs of victims and their families. It operates under the principles of human rights and law" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">humanitarian law, ensuring that its interventions are victim-centered and trauma-informed. The IIMP is committed to providing mental health and psychosocial-support" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">psychosocial support to those affected by the ongoing conflict in Syria, and it seeks to establish a framework for accountability and justice for missing persons. The organization is relatively new, and its operations may expand to various locations relevant to its mission, including potential relocation to Damascus, Syria, or other areas as necessary. The IIMP is dedicated to fostering a collaborative environment with various stakeholders, including local and international partners, to enhance its effectiveness in addressing the challenges faced by missing persons and their families.

Job Overview:
The Psychologist position at the IIMP is crucial for developing and implementing mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) policies and frameworks that are sensitive to the needs of victims of human rights abuses, particularly those related to missing persons. The incumbent will be responsible for drafting and refining the MHPSS policy, ensuring that it incorporates inputs from various stakeholders and adheres to ethical, evidence-based practices. The role involves conducting research and analysis on psychosocial issues affecting victims and their families, assessing their impact on well-being, and developing specialized protocols for trauma-informed care. The Psychologist will also contribute to training and capacity-building efforts for staff and partners, ensuring that all interventions are aligned with the organization's mission to provide effective support to those affected by conflict-related trauma. This position requires a strong commitment to professionalism, ethical standards, and a deep understanding of the psychological needs of individuals impacted by human rights violations.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Psychologist will have a range of responsibilities, including but not limited to:

• Supporting the development and implementation of MHPSS policies and frameworks that ensure victim-sensitive and trauma-informed approaches are embedded in all interventions for missing persons.
• Drafting and refining the MHPSS policy, incorporating inputs from stakeholder workshops and subject-matter experts.
• Developing specialized protocols on trauma-informed interviewing, child-related procedures, suicide-risk assessment, and other focused areas as needed.
• Ensuring all protocols and policy elements adhere to ethical, evidence-based, and survivor-centered practices.
• Contributing to training content and guidance materials to support staff and partners in implementing the MHPSS policy and protocols.
• Conducting research and analysis of psychosocial and mental health issues/events affecting victims and their families, and assessing their impact on their well-being.
• Collecting and analyzing relevant data and indicators, including gender-specific data, related to victims and their families, to identify trends and provide insights for planning, decision-making, and reporting.
• Directing and contributing to capacity-building efforts related to mental health and psychosocial support in the country of assignment.
• Reviewing existing practices, identifying gaps, and recommending improvements to strengthen mental health and psychosocial support interventions. 1
• Performing other duties as required.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong foundation in psychology, trauma-informed care, and mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) guidelines. They should demonstrate knowledge of ethical, victim-centered practices and possess skills in providing trauma-informed support to individuals affected by human rights abuses. The ability to assess psychosocial needs, develop and implement MHPSS protocols, and analyze relevant data for planning and decision-making is essential. Candidates should also exhibit professionalism, efficiency in meeting commitments, and a strong motivation for their work. Furthermore, they must be capable of incorporating gender perspectives into their work and ensuring equal participation of women and men in all areas of their responsibilities.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Psychiatry, Counseling, or a related field is required for this position. Alternatively, a first-level university degree in one of the aforementioned fields, combined with at least two additional years of relevant professional experience, may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. This educational background ensures that candidates have the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills to effectively support individuals affected by trauma and human rights violations.

Experience:
A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Psychiatry, Counseling, or a related field is required. Candidates must have experience providing mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) to survivors of conflict-related trauma, human rights violations, sexual violence, and to families of missing persons. Experience in delivering MHPSS-related training and capacity-building for multidisciplinary teams is desirable, as it indicates the candidate's ability to enhance the skills of others in the field and contribute to the overall effectiveness of the organization's interventions.

Languages:
For this position, proficiency in English and Arabic is required, as these are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Candidates must demonstrate a minimum level of proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking for both languages, as outlined in the UN Language Framework. While English is essential for communication within the organization, Arabic is equally important given the context of the work in Syria and the need to engage with local populations and stakeholders effectively. Knowledge of French is an asset but not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
This position is available until 31 March 202

• If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. It is important to note that this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, but it does not guarantee future employment in the same position. The eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station, and it may be restricted to 'internal candidates' who have been recruited through a competitive examination or selection process. Additionally, staff members who are approaching the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the temporary need period are not eligible to apply. The United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, and candidates are encouraged to follow all instructions carefully when submitting their applications.