Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Response Officer, Assisted Voluntary Return (AVR) (P)

Job Posting Organization:
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) was established in 1951 and is a Related Organization of the United Nations. It is the leading UN agency in the field of migration, working closely with governmental, intergovernmental, and non-governmental partners. IOM's mission is to promote humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all, providing services and advice to governments and migrants. The organization is committed to ensuring a workplace where all employees can thrive professionally while harnessing the full potential of migration. IOM operates in over 100 countries and employs thousands of staff members dedicated to various aspects of migration management, including humanitarian assistance, development, and policy advocacy. The organization emphasizes a culture of inclusion, respect for diversity, and integrity, ensuring that all employees adhere to high ethical standards and promote a safe and respectful environment for all.

Job Overview:
The Mental Health and psychosocial-support" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Response Officer for Assisted Voluntary Return (AVR) is a professional position within IOM that focuses on providing essential psychological support to migrants and returnees. This role is critical in ensuring that individuals who are returning to their countries of origin receive the necessary mental health support to facilitate their reintegration. The officer will work under the supervision of the Senior Program Advisor and the Return and Reintegration Coordinator, collaborating closely with various stakeholders, including national MHPSS actors and clinical experts. The position requires a deep understanding of the psychological needs of migrants, particularly those who have experienced trauma or distress. The officer will be responsible for delivering context-specific psychological first aid, conducting assessments, and providing individual and group therapy sessions. Additionally, the role involves coordinating MHPSS activities across multiple countries, ensuring that services are aligned with international standards and IOM guidelines. The officer will also play a key role in capacity building for IOM staff and partners, enhancing their ability to provide effective MHPSS interventions.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Response Officer will have a comprehensive set of duties and responsibilities, including but not limited to:

• Providing life-saving psychological first aid and urgent psychological support interventions for migrants and returnees, ensuring adherence to international standards and IOM internal guidance.
• Conducting specialized assessments of the individual situations of migrants and returnees, coordinating their capacity to make informed decisions, and facilitating referrals to specialized services as needed.
• Conducting individual and group psychological sessions/psychotherapy to support the mental health of migrants and returnees, including suicide prevention activities.
• Coordinating and supervising MHPSS activities and deployments in relevant countries, including service mapping and liaising with national MHPSS actors.
• Monitoring, documenting, and reporting on MHPSS activities and trends, including challenges and lessons learned.
• Contributing to the development of a Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) framework for MHPSS activities.
• Organizing pre-deployment training and post-deployment debriefing for MHPSS staff and partners.
• Evaluating the capacity of reintegration staff in basic MHPSS skills and contributing to staff capacity building plans.
• Participating in relevant coordination mechanisms or task forces and providing immediate support for the setup of responses in various countries. 1
• Performing other related duties as assigned by supervisors.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a Master's degree in Clinical Psychology, Clinical Social Work, Psychiatry, psychological counselling, forensic/criminal psychology, or a related field from an accredited academic institution, along with five years of relevant professional experience. Alternatively, a Bachelor's degree in the same fields with seven years of relevant professional experience is acceptable. Candidates must demonstrate experience working with migrants, civil society, and governments, as well as managing programming across multiple countries. Proven experience in working with vulnerable populations and communicating with individuals with complex needs is essential. Experience in programs that include a movement operations component is advantageous, and familiarity with IOM or other UN agencies, particularly in assisted voluntary return and reintegration programs, is preferred.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Master's degree in Clinical Psychology, Clinical Social Work, Psychiatry, psychological counselling, forensic/criminal psychology, or a related field from an accredited academic institution. A Bachelor's degree in the same fields is acceptable if accompanied by additional years of relevant professional experience. The educational background should provide a solid foundation in psychological principles and practices, particularly as they relate to migration and mental health support.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have a minimum of five years of relevant professional experience if holding a Master's degree, or seven years if holding a Bachelor's degree. Experience should include working with migrants and vulnerable populations, managing programs across multiple countries, and engaging with civil society and government entities. Familiarity with IOM's operational context and experience in assisted voluntary return and reintegration programs will be considered a significant advantage.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this position, both oral and written. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) is considered an advantage. Proficiency in the required languages will be evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

Additional Notes:
The contract type for this position is Special Short Term Graded, with an initial duration of nine months and the possibility of extension. The position is classified at the P-3 grade level, indicating a professional role within the organization. Candidates should be aware that internationally recruited professional staff are required to be mobile and may be expected to undertake short-notice international deployments. The selection process may be used to fill similar positions in various duty stations, and recommended candidates will remain eligible for appointment in similar roles for a period of 24 months. The appointment is subject to medical fitness certification, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security clearances, and compliance with residency or visa requirements. IOM has a zero-tolerance policy regarding conduct incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and IOM, including discrimination and harassment. IOM does not charge any fees during the recruitment process and only accepts applications submitted through the IOM e-Recruitment system.