Consultant (Psychosocial support)

The PASSIM Project phase 4 (IOM Support to the Italian Programme for Assistance and Health Monitoring at Sea of Rescued Migrants) is the health care intervention in sea rescue operations carried out by health personnel on board the Italian Coast Guard Patrol Vessels and Major Ships. The project carries out risk assessments and addresses both individual and collective health needs in cross-border contexts through health triage.

IOM provides a cultural mediation service to support Coast Guard personnel, health professionals from CISOM – (Order of Malta Italian Relief Corps and law enforcement officers). The aim is to 1) reduce language and cultural barriers between relief workers and migrants, 2) promote a cultural-sensitivity approach, and 3) facilitate the identification of vulnerable groups the moment they arrive.

Under this initiative, the IOM Coordination Office for the Mediterranean recruited cultural mediators covering the following languages: English, French, Arabic, Somali, Mandingo, Bambara, Dioula, Wolof, Peul, Fula, Pular, Urdu, Pashto, Chinese, Dari, Farsi, Bengali.

The cultural mediators undertake a preparatory training which equips them to manage crisis situations and stress and prevent burnout.

The Consultant will design and deliver wellbeing initiatives on crisis intervention, stress management and burnout prevention in humanitarian contexts.

1. RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

Nature of Consultancy

Category B Consultancy – Organization of a stress prevention and stress management program at an individual and group level, aimed at supporting IOM cultural mediators working with Coast Guard and CISOM personnel in the sea rescue operations, as well as at disembarkation points, land border crossing points or providing support to law enforcement personnel in complex situations.

In line with the UN Mental Health Strategy and aligning with the mandate of IOM Staff Welfare Office, the consultant will support IOM staff involved in rescue at sea operations. Initiatives will strengthen skills in providing assistance and support to vulnerable migrants and victims of violence, trauma and abuse. In particular, the consultant will:

• Conduct an initial meeting with the IOM cultural mediators to introduce the counseling service, share the methodology and perform a psychological needs assessment. The meeting also aims to define the tools to strengthen staff’s skills in observing and communicating with vulnerable migrants, victims of violence/abuse, psychologically affected by inhumane and extreme travel conditions;
• Provide in-person confidential counselling and wellbeing checks to IOM staff through an initial one-to-one interview with each of the staff members to assess psychological and wellbeing needs including teamwork with other cultural mediators colleagues, Coast Guard personnel, health professionals from CISOM and law enforcement officers;
• Conduct in-person interviews with IOM staff, lasting 45-55 minutes, on a regular basis depending on individual needs;
• Conduct regular group counseling sessions with IOM staff based on identified needs;
• Evaluate wellbeing activities and impact on defined needs. The final evaluation will be conducted and produced in quantitative and qualitative form and include recommendations to improve staff wellbeing.

All stress management activities must be in line with the UN policies on Respect for Diversity and Gender Mainstreaming.

Performance indicators for the evaluation of results:

• Quality of the methodology designed for counseling service and building staff capacity to observe and communicate with vulnerable migrants;
• Quality of the final qualitative and quantitative evaluation, including recommendations to improve staff wellbeing;
• Analysis and depth of the needs assessment process carried out;
• Timely delivery of the counseling sessions for at least 30 personnel as indicated in the previous section as well as the final version of all deliverables;
• Compliance with IOM Guidelines; Respect IOM’s Data Protection Principles.

Travel required

Field trip, on a regular basis, to perform group and individual counselling sessions in Lampedusa, Catania, Messina, Roccella Jonica e Crotone.

1. DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Education/ Professional experience and other requirements:

• An Advanced/Postgraduate University Degree or equivalent in psychology, counselling, clinical psychology, psychiatry (medical or nursing), marriage and family therapy, or social work with evidence of training in mental health counselling is required;
• A minimum of five years of relevant counselling experience post license/certification/registration, with experience in a similar setting such as an international and/or humanitarian organization preferred.

1. LANGUAGES

• Fluency in Italian and English;
• Knowledge of French will be considered as an asset.

1. COMPETENCIES

Values

• Inclusion and respect for diversity: respects and promotes individual and cultural differences; encourages diversity and inclusion wherever possible.
• Integrity and transparency: maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.
• Professionalism: demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.
• Courage: Demonstrates willingness to take a stand on issues of importance.
• Empathy: Shows compassion for others, makes people feel safe, respected and fairly treated.

Core Competencies – behavioural indicators

• Teamwork: develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.
• Delivering results: produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner; is action-oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.
• Managing and sharing knowledge: continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.
• Accountability: takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own action and delegated work.
• Communication: encourages and contributes to clear and open communication; explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.