Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Analyst

BACKGROUND

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Iraq has been dealing with conflict, insecurity, and instability for decades that created deep-seated grievances. It has been exacerbated by socio-economic challenges, including the displacement of many vulnerable people, who left their communities of origin for different places inside and outside of Iraq. The emergence of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), which exploited tensions and took control of large swaths of territory, triggered a new wave of violence and displacement. 

Iraq has witnessed multiple waves of conflict and violence that have greatly affected the camp population for a prolonged period. For many individuals, this has led to a multitude of stressors and challenges that are often difficult to cope with. Almost six years after the defeat of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in Iraq, the effects of the conflict continue to reverberate with more than 1.2 million displaced people across the country. The deteriorating conditions and unmet basic needs related to health, security and social cohesion, exacerbated by human rights and dignity violations, exposure to trauma and extreme forms of violence leaves the camp population vulnerable to known drivers of criminal behaviour, recruitment into armed groups, and violent extremism conducive to terrorism, as well as other negative coping strategies.

The most common psychosocial reactions to return are feelings of guilt, fear, frustration and shame, loneliness and helplessness. Returnees in Iraq often experience a combination of these feelings as well as a sense of loss, the perception of self as a failure, disorientation and anxiety. Many returnees also experience low self-esteem, isolation, and strained family relations as well as poor community acceptance, stigma and discrimination. MHPSS program work to address these reactions, aiming to strengthen positive coping mechanisms during the return and reintegration processes.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Analyst (MPHSS Analyst) will lead UNDP program intervention in support of the work on supporting communities to deal with trauma, stigma and mental health issues associated with conflict displacement and return. 

Capacity building and mainstreaming of community based MHPSS across tools and procedures, including:

• Preparation of material for the training package (including presentations, handouts, workshop exercises, resources, etc) and basic tools as well as the principles of participatory and inclusive approaches to planning, community engagement, and communication that are tailored to the local context and needs.
• Conduct MHPSS activities (at the community centers, child friendly spaces (CFSs)…etc.) that can be applied at the community level, to promote reintegration, social cohesion and tolerance.
• Training and capacity building of staff, community-based volunteers, community leaders, peace committees, psychologists & field coordinators in the provision of Mental Health & Psychosocial Support activities (MHPSS), including community-based PSS, Psychological first aid (PFA), Problem management plus (PM+) and wellbeing & self-care activities for frontline teams.
• Ensure the inclusion and participation of women with specific needs in the PSS activities, to strengthen family and community resilience.
• Identify gaps, risks, and challenges based on the rollout of the ToT workshops, propose mitigation measures and recommended actions.
• Contribute to mainstreaming MHPSS into livelihoods, social cohesion areas through coordination and dissemination resources and good practices.
• Contribute to the mainstreaming MHPSS by organizing training sessions and updating the referral pathways and integrate MHPSS considerations into socially, culturally appropriate services of partners.
• Provide inputs to training reports, including recommendations and lessons learnt, in addition to related communication material.
• Undertake additional tasks related to capacity building as requested by the Team Leader.

Technical support to ToTs, Community based Psychosocial volunteers and local NGOS partners of UNDP:

• Provide Mentorship, supervisions, and further trainings of the trained Psychosocial Support ToTs and customize/develop a Community Based Training Manual on Psychosocial Support to the needs of the target groups.
• Lead in selection and group formation of Community Based Volunteer Counsellors (women and youth groups)
• Liaise with and establish strong working relationships with other UN agencies and international organizations to promote a coordinated approach to the development and implementation of trauma awareness, psychosocial support and reconciliation and activities.
• Support community-based organizations and groups, state government, traditional authorities, and vulnerable groups to participate, engage in and benefit from trauma/mental health awareness, reconciliation and community-based reconciliation mechanisms.
• Promote skills for mainstreaming gender, applying a human rights-based approach and support to vulnerable groups into reform priorities of and services provided by UNDP to target communities.;
• Ensure Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities especially in the provision of community-based psychosocial support.
• Strengthen capacities for local peace infrastructure on trauma/mental health awareness and psychosocial support, in the process of reconciliation and community dispute resolution mechanisms.

Providing support to program planning and implementation:

• Provide substantial inputs to planning, implementation and monitoring, including drafting of relevant documents such as concept notes, talking points, meeting debriefs, minutes.
• Develop detailed Annual Work Plans for the mental health psychosocial support awareness and reconciliation and provide inputs to develop the consolidated Social Cohesion Pillar Annual Work Plans and Reports.
• Support development of ToRs for RPA and Low Value Grants as well as small community grants, oversee the work of beneficiaries in line with mental health and psychosocial support, ensuring quality of outputs in keeping with grants applications.
• Submit quarterly analytical reports and provide inputs into other reporting requirements to M&E activities and provide quarterly reports on issues arising from the provision of community-based psychosocial support.
• Attend and represent UNDP’s MHPSS Department in interagency and local coordination meetings as requested.
• Organize and attend MHPSS technical meetings.

Knowledge building and management focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Lead quantitative and qualitative research projects, including narrative or systematic reviews, epidemiological studies and case studies.
• Develop models, tools and case studies that reflect best practices in MHPSS support, via a review of the available literature.
• Collaborate in the development of operating procedures (SOPs), scientific, informative or positioning articles on mental health issues, global mental health, psychosocial support programs.
• Support the development of a policy framework on trauma, resilience and psychosocial support for conflict affected communities in South Sudan, from a peacebuilding approach.
• Develop tools and procedures to ensure the support, follow-up, and reporting from Community Volunteer Counsellors.
• Monitor and evaluate the impact of the delivered psychosocial support activities by the Community Volunteer Counsellors and other groups supported by UNDP.
• Monitor and report on reconciliation issues locally and identify emerging trends using program mapping and other available data.
• Promote cross-network initiatives and support collaboration of cross-regional programming priorities within knowledge networks and communities of practice.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Psychology, Counselling Psychology, Community Psychology; Sociology, Community Development and Developmental Psychology, or related field is required, OR 
• A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience, Knowledge, and Skills: 

• Minimum 2 years (with a Master’s degree) or 4 years (with a Bachelor’s degree) of experience working in the areas of community counselling, psychosocial support.
• Experience in working in post conflict setting, and with community structures for addressing trauma, mental health, community-based community reconciliation. 
• Experience in developing community-based training curricular and adult learning methodologies.
• Experience in working with conflict survivors, people with disability, socially excluded groups, women, and children will be an asset.
• Familiar with social political settings of the Arab region and Iraq in particular would be a strong asset.
• Experience with an international development organization, especially the UN will be an asset.
• Knowledge of peacebuilding and post conflict reconstructions is desirable.
• Knowledge on international frameworks on MHPSS, protection of women and other vulnerable groups.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in the English language (spoken and written) is essential.
• Knowledge of Arabic is an advantage.

COMPETENCIES

Core Competencies:

• Achieve Results:  LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
• Think Innovatively:  LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements 
• Learn Continuously:  LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
• Adapt with Agility:  LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible 
• Act with Determination:  LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
• Engage and Partner:  LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion:  LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination 

Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies: 

Business Direction & Strategy: System Thinking

• Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgment to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.

Business Management: Portfolio Management

• Ability to select, prioritize and control the organization’s programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity; ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimizing return on investment

Business Development: Knowledge Facilitation 

• Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share, particularly externally.

Business Management: Partnerships Management 

• Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts, and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies.

Business Management: Communication 

• Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience.
• Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media, and other appropriate channels

2030 Agenda – People: Health

• Health emergencies

Note: Please upload copies of your academic qualifications and 3 latest performance evaluations (if applicable). 

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