GENERAL BACKGROUND

Danish Refugee Council, one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, is currently looking for a highly qualified and motivated Psychologist who will have the responsibility of providing direct mental health services to the refugees, asylum seekers and migrants (persons of concern – PoCs).

About the job

Danish Refugee Council (DRC) has been working in Bosnia and Herzegovina since 1992 and closed its office in the country at the end of January 2010 after 18 years. In July 2018 DRC re-opened its mission responding to increasing and priority needs of Person of Concern (PoCs) in close cooperation with the BiH Authorities. More specifically DRC BiH focuses on improving the access to primary and secondary health care including psychosocial and mental health services to PoCs, as well as on enhancing the overall protective environment for PoCs, with particular focus on case management in SGBV, and timely outreach response to rights violations at the borders. DRC has main office in Sarajevo and activities implemented in Una-Sana and Sarajevo Cantons.

Position: Psychologist

Duty Station: Bihac

Start date: 15th February 2024.

Basic functions: Basic functions: Psychologist implements Mental Health programming in targeted locations, under the supervision of the Mental Health Team Leader. The psychologist is responsible for supporting the MH and Health program staff in the area of community and direct mental health program implementation. The focus of the project is on severe mental health cases that reside in Temporary Reception Centers in BiH.

Reference: Psychologist refers to the Mental Health Team Leader and works in close cooperation with the Health Project staff, under the supervision of the Healthcare Manager.

Specific duties and responsibilities:

• Provides first psychological assessment and identification of the beneficiaries that are identified as possible mental health cases by Primary Healthcare doctors or other relevant stakeholders
• Individual counseling for mental health patients, providing support and follow-up after the psychiatrist’s examinations
• Referrers beneficiaries and coordinate with a psychiatrist on the TRC level
• Provides medical escort to psychiatric patients when needed, and when is declared that is the best outcome for the beneficiary, also provides visits to the beneficiary on the institutional level to communicate the needs of the beneficiary
• Coordinate emergency psychiatric cases on the TRC level, and where there is a need for a multidisciplinary approach, conduct Case Management meetings for the beneficiaries with a psychiatric diagnosis
• Developing and improving MH sector, tracking main trends, analyzing gaps, and responding to the demands in the sector. Work on capacity building of the local MH institutions, through various trainings and workgroups. Provide relevant MH info sessions to the beneficiaries on prevention actual trends.
• Ensure disaggregated and cumulative tracking of beneficiaries and documentation of all activities and outcomes. Participate in the preparation of internal and external reports, including submission of weekly/monthly reports to the Mental Health Team Leader
• Assist MHPSS actors in setting referral pathways, receiving MH referrals (internal/external), follow-up on referrals and providing feedback of actions taken.
• Contribute to or join interagency coordination mechanisms for the provision of mental health and psychosocial support and share relevant information.
• Support project staff to maintain program records and documentation as per project management minimum standards, including maintaining the confidentiality and security of MH client data.
• Performs any other duties within other DRC BiH program activities upon requests and instructions given by the Mental Health Team Leader

Qualifications & experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Psychology required, Master’s degree desired in Psychology
• Finished or in process of completing individual counseling (psychotherapy) practitioner certificate desired
• Experience working in Psychiatry institution/ward or Addiction Centers desired
• Experience in refugee/migration related issues desired
• Experience in capacity building of staff including training and supervision desired

Work experience

• Minimum of 3 years of professional experience in clinical psychology
• Professional experience in NGO will be considered as advantage

Key Competencies

• Ability to work in a multicultural context as a flexible and respectful team player;
• Problem solving, analytical and writing skills, with the ability to produce reports for internal and external use;
• Fluency in spoken and written BCS languages (Bosnian(Croatian/Serbian) and English
• Computer literacy (Microsoft Word and Excel);
• Valid driving license, high level of professionalism evidence by clear driver’s record;

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’ five core competencies:

• Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process.
• Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback.
• Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.
• Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly.
• Demonstrating integrity: You act in line with DRC’s vision and values.