Psychosocial Support Officer

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Position Title: psychosocial-support" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Psychosocial Support Officer
Location: Beirut
Country: Lebanon
Deadline Date: Not specified

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) was established in 1949 and is dedicated to providing assistance and protection to Palestine refugees. The agency operates in five areas: Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, the West Bank, and Gaza. UNRWA's mission is to help Palestine refugees achieve their full potential in human development under difficult circumstances. The organization employs thousands of staff members across various sectors, including education, health, and social services, and is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions from UN member states and other entities.

Job Overview:
The Psychosocial Support Officer will play a crucial role in integrating staff care and wellbeing into field office workplans, particularly during emergencies and critical incidents. This position involves providing psychosocial support to staff members and their dependents, which includes psycho-education, psychological first aid, and coordination of services for individual or group interventions. The officer will facilitate appropriate traumatic stress interventions following critical incidents and recommend follow-up support. The role requires collaboration with various stakeholders to ensure adequate psychosocial support and the delivery of psychoeducation materials. The officer will also assist in implementing resilience-building programs and strengthening mental health networks. Continuous assessment of psychosocial needs and the provision of group support sessions are essential functions of this role, along with maintaining detailed records and providing comprehensive reports on staff wellbeing.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Psychosocial Support Officer's duties include working closely with field offices to integrate staff care into their workplans, providing psychosocial support during emergencies, facilitating traumatic stress interventions, and coordinating follow-up support for staff and their dependents. The officer will deliver psychoeducation materials, assist in resilience-building programs, and strengthen referral mechanisms for mental health support. They will conduct assessments on the impact of critical incidents, provide recommendations for interventions, and collaborate with peer helpers and the staff care team. The officer is responsible for maintaining records of psychosocial activities, preparing reports, and capturing lessons learned. Additionally, they will support the capacity building of peer support groups and conduct training sessions on staff care and related issues.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a university degree in Counselling Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Psychiatry, Clinical/Psychiatric Social Work, or another mental health-related profession. Certification or country-specific licensure to deliver mental health services is mandatory. The role requires excellent communication and interpersonal skills, the ability to work under pressure, and a commitment to the UN's core values of professionalism, integrity, and respect for diversity.

Educational Background:
A university degree from an accredited institution in a relevant field such as Counselling Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Psychiatry, or Social Work is required. Additional training or certification in areas related to mental health services is highly desirable.

Experience:
Candidates should have three to four years of relevant experience providing professional counselling services. Experience in managing or coordinating mental health and psychosocial support programs is required, along with familiarity with emergency or hardship duty stations. Experience in training within humanitarian settings is considered an asset.

Languages:
Excellent command of written and spoken Arabic is mandatory. Proficiency in spoken English is an asset, enhancing communication with diverse stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This position is a Limited Duration Contract (LDC) for six months, with the possibility of extension based on performance and funding availability. The monthly salary is USD 1,841, which includes a basic salary and a special allowance. Benefits include compulsory medical insurance, annual leave, sick leave, maternity and paternity leave, and family allowance if applicable. The position is open to candidates residing in Lebanon who have authorization to work in the duty station. Preference will be given to registered Palestine refugees and candidates who assist the Agency in achieving gender parity. The application process requires candidates to complete their profiles accurately in UNRWA's online recruitment system, and late applications will not be accepted.