Officer for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS)

Job Posting Organization:
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world's largest humanitarian network, comprising 191 member National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Established to provide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, IFRC operates globally with a mission to alleviate human suffering and promote health and well-being. The organization is guided by its core principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality. IFRC's headquarters is located in Geneva, Switzerland, and it has five regional offices across Africa, the Americas, Asia Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East and North Africa. The organization is committed to ensuring that its operations are conducted with integrity and respect, adhering to strict policies against misconduct, including sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment, and discrimination. IFRC is currently responding to the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which has heightened the urgency for effective mental health and psychosocial-support" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">psychosocial support services in affected communities.

Job Overview:
The Officer for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) will play a crucial role in providing technical expertise to the BVD operation, focusing on the implementation and scaling of quality mental health and psychosocial support services for communities. This position is vital for strengthening the well-being of both staff and volunteers involved in the response. Reporting to the Health Delegate and receiving guidance from the Regional MHPSS Coordinator, the MHPSS Officer will work closely with the Democratic Republic of Congo Red Cross Society (CRRDC) to design and implement a sustainable, community-based MHPSS response. This includes assessing community needs, mapping existing services, and developing referral pathways. The role also emphasizes the importance of training and capacity building for staff and volunteers, ensuring that interventions are relevant and effective in addressing the immediate and long-term mental health needs of the population.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The MHPSS Officer will conduct thorough assessments of mental health and psychosocial support needs, existing services, and referral pathways to inform the design and implementation of interventions. Responsibilities include supporting the CRRDC in developing and implementing community-based MHPSS interventions that align with global standards and respond to community needs. The officer will enhance CRRDC's capacity through training and mentoring for staff, volunteers, and community facilitators on various MHPSS topics, including Psychological First Aid and safe referrals. Additionally, the officer will facilitate community-based support activities, promote staff and volunteer well-being, and develop monitoring and evaluation systems to assess program quality and impact. Collaboration with CRRDC, IFRC, and other stakeholders is essential to strengthen coordination and service integration, particularly in underserved areas. The officer will also represent IFRC in technical MHPSS coordination forums, ensuring coherent and effective responses across the movement.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a university degree in psychology, social work, counseling, or a related mental health field. A master's degree in a mental health field with a focus on clinical practice is preferred, along with postgraduate training in public health. The role requires a minimum of three years of hands-on experience in MHPSS programming, particularly in emergency or humanitarian settings. Proven experience in developing and implementing training and capacity-building activities in MHPSS is essential, as well as practical mental health experience involving direct client interaction. Experience working with the Red Cross/Red Crescent or other humanitarian organizations is highly desirable.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a university degree in psychology, social work, counseling, or a related mental health field. A master's degree focusing on clinical practice and patient interaction is considered an asset, along with any postgraduate training in public health that enhances the candidate's qualifications for this role.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of three years of relevant experience in mental health and psychosocial support programming, ideally within emergency or humanitarian contexts. Candidates should have a proven track record of developing and implementing training programs and capacity-building initiatives in MHPSS. Practical experience in mental health, including direct client interaction through clinical practice, counseling, or therapy sessions, is essential. Familiarity with the operations of the Red Cross/Red Crescent and other humanitarian actors will be advantageous.

Languages:
Fluency in both spoken and written English and French is mandatory for this position. A good command of another IFRC official language, such as Spanish or Arabic, is preferred, and proficiency in Swahili will be considered an added advantage. The ability to communicate effectively in multiple languages is crucial for engaging with diverse communities and stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This recruitment is for two local staff positions based in Mongbwalu and Beni Butembo. Applicants are encouraged to indicate their preferred locality in their application. The positions are full-time and are focused on providing essential mental health and psychosocial support services in response to the ongoing humanitarian crisis. The IFRC emphasizes the importance of a compassionate and community-centered approach in delivering these services, ensuring that the needs of the affected populations are met with dignity and respect.