Harm reduction MHPSS coordinator

Position description

For more than 40 years, Médecins du Monde, a campaigning medical organisation committed to international solidarity, has been caring for the most vulnerable populations here and abroad. It has continued to bear witness to obstacles that exist in accessing healthcare and has secured sustainable improvements in health-for-all policies.

Those working for this independent organisation do not solely dispense care and treatment but condemn violations of human dignity and rights and fight to improve matters for populations living in precarious situations.

MdM France currently works in 30 countries across all continents to facilitate access to healthcare through 6 political battles:

• Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights
• Migration, Exile, Human Rights and Health
• Harm Reduction
• Environment and Health
• Healthcare systems
• Humanitarian Space

After almost 10 years of emergency programs in Iraq, MdM is going through a transition phase to develop long term programs.

At the end of 2022 and beginning of 2023 MdM conducted in Iraq a multi-thematic health need assessment to explore the potential public health needs in targeted locations for MdM to respond to. The assessment results demonstrate a dramatic increase in Amphetamine-Type Stimulant (ATS) use among young groups in a short period. Moreover, the assessment revealed that among every four individuals surveyed, at least one reported knowing someone engaged in crystal meth or other drug use. The lack of Mental Health and Psychosocial support (MHPSS) and services remains a challenge in Iraq.

A new strategy was hence adopted and MdM Iraq is about to launch a new program in Harm Reduction for ATS (amphetamine type stimulant) users in Baghdad.

Job description

With the support of the mission’s general coordinator and HQ technical links, your main responsibilities are the following:

Prepare and conduct a MHPSS assessment

You contribute to define the assessment’s scope and focus and lead its implementation, aiming to:

• Increase understanding of the demographics needs of PWUD in Baghdad
• Identify main MHPSS needs, triggers and coping mechanisms of PWUD in Baghdad
• Map existing MHPSS services and quality, identifying service availability and gaps and main access barriers
• Assess the possible medical psychiatric treatment that would fit the needs of ATS users (in country and internationally based on research or new practices)

Produce an assessment report and define a MHPSS response accordingly

• Write a report with the main findings from the assessment and technical recommendations
• Design a response accordingly and develop the corresponding project proposal

Develop and adapt the technical material

• Define MHPSS SOPs for the defined interventions
• Develop training material accordingly

Recruit and train a technical team to enable the response

• Recruit the necessary MHPSS human resources for project implementation
• Train the technical team, equipping them with the necessary tools and knowledge to carry out the MHPSS response
• Create a guideline for the local Psychiatrist regarding adapted medical prescriptions and protocols

Support the launching of the response

• Lead the kick-off of the MHPSS activities
• Support the team in the implementation of the activities
• Produce a handover report and a plan of action for the following period

Conditions of employment

• Contract: Fixed-term contract
• Duration: 3 months
• Starting date: September 2024
• Gross monthly salary: 3,306 euros
• Premium equal to one month salary paid in two instalments – minimum of 6 months seniority required
• Expatriation bonus (10% gross salary per month)
• Transportation cost, vaccines and visas covered
• Guesthouse housing
• 22.5 recovery days per year
• 5 weeks of paid leaves per year
• Health insurance (60% covered by MdM)
• Insurance (repatriation…)

Skills and experience needed

• Diploma in psychiatry or clinical psychology
• Diploma in addiction is a plus
• Master’s in public health is an added value
• At least 3-4 years of experience in harm reduction
• Experience in humanitarian MHPSS interventions preferable
• Experience in psychiatry/psychology research
• Experience to build up local partnerships, implementing tools and monitoring process
• At least 2 years’ experience in training and supervision of MHPSS staff
• Experience in developing training materials and training implementation
• Experience working in different contexts and cultures is highly desirable
• Experience in program planning, needs assessments, interagency coordination, proposal writing
• Experience with ATS users is a strong asset
• Expert knowledge of substance’s use disorder and other addictions
• Knowledge of adult psychiatry and mental health
• Comprehensive knowledge of evidence-based psychosocial interventions for treatment of substance use disorder
• Languages : English is mandatory (oral and written), knowledge of Arabic is an asset
• You embrace the core values and support the proactive philosophy of Médecins du Monde.

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Application instructions

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