Mental Health and Psychosocial Support

Requirements

• Age Limit: 45 years maximum (Age limit will be relaxed in case of potential candidates).

Experience requirements:

• Minimum of three years' experience in counselling or clinical psychology

• Experience working in the field with local communities, NGOs, or Red Cross/Red Crescent operations

Skill requirements (in addition to the above-mentioned):

• Strong capacity in developing MHPSS training manuals, materials and tools for health facilities and communities

• Strong experience in planning and conducting MHPSS training for different target groups including health workers, teachers and community volunteers

• Strong advocacy, collaboration and network skills with local and national health authorities and other stakeholders.

• Strong communication and facilitation skills.

• Ability to work collaboratively within a team, demonstrating flexibility and innovation.

• Able to work in a multicultural team, good inter-personal skills

• Experience in working with a national or international organization as a MHPSS practitioner.

• Fluency in oral and written English and Bangla.

The Red Cross-Red Crescent Movement is the largest volunteer organization in the world. Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS), a national society of the Movement, constituted on 31 March 1973 by the President's Order No. 26 of 1973 with retrospective effect from 16 December 1971, is the biggest humanitarian organization in the country. As an auxiliary to the government in terms of providing the humanitarian assistance, BDRCS has been working to prevent and alleviate human suffering through rendering humanitarian services in partnership with local authorities and communities across all the districts of Bangladesh through its 68 branches and dedicated network of volunteers, in line with the international humanitarian standards and adhering to the seven Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement. BDRCS activities include humanitarian response, Climate Change Adaptation, disaster management, health and wellbeing, capacity building and promoting Red Cross/Red Crescent ideals and principles.

Currently, under the "Pathways to Healing: A survivor Centered Approach to Address Violence and Human Rights Violations in Bangladesh", BDRCS is looking for a suitable Bangladeshi candidate for the mentioned position:

Project Name: Pathways to Healing: A survivor Centered Approach to Address Violence and Human Rights Violations in Bangladesh.

Duration of Contract: 1 year (with possibility of extension subject to satisfactory performance and availability of fund).

Reportable To: Project Manager.

Duty Station: NHQ, BDRCS, Dhaka.

Job Purpose

The MHPSS Officer will support the Project Manager in planning and implementing mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) activities in targeted areas. This role involves coaching, monitoring, and supervising psychological counsellors and volunteers engaged in MHPSS initiatives. The officer will ensure effective service delivery, coordination with key stakeholders, and the promotion of mental health awareness.

Job Description/ Responsibilities-

1. Assessments

• Review, adapt and finalize guidelines and tools for conducting assessments for beneficiaries of MHPSS services in target areas

• Ensure the integration of MHPSS assessment tools into the generic project assessments guidelines and tools.

• Be part of the project assessment teams to conduct quality assessments, data collection, analysis and reporting.

• Review, adapt and finalize the development of MHPSS screening tools for people to benefit from MHPSS services at different levels

• Undertake the mapping of health institutes, communities and education institutions from where MHPSS services will be delivered

2. Trainings, coaching and technical supervision

• Review, adapt and update training manuals, tools and IEC materials for project staff, PSS counsellors, volunteers and psychologist trainings and orientations as needed

• Adapt training materials and messages for MHPSS awareness, psychoeducation and referrals for household, community members and students in education institutions

• Prepare and facilitate MHPSS trainings, orientations and coaching sessions for project staff psychosocial counsellors, and volunteers.

• Plan and coordinate technical supervision sessions for PSS counsellors, volunteers and other project staff as may be needed.

• Ensure the integration of Mental Health trainings into the general MHPSS Training packages of BDRCS

3. MHPSS service delivery

• Review, adapt, develop, test and pilot assessment screening tools for mental health conditions

• Develop a well elaborate MHPSS services plan in close collaboration with the target hospitals, medical colleges and families of the affected beneficiaries.

• Manage the provision of specialized mental health services in hospitals and medical colleges (counselling, psychotherapy and referrals etc.)

• Coordinate the planning and implementation of community based psychosocial activities in target families, communities and education institutions (mental health awareness, psycho education, home visits and referrals)

• Ensure the overall integration of MHPSS services into the general project activities in hospitals and at community level.

• Ensure that service delivery is timely, of high quality and meets national and international standards and ethical considerations and principles

4. Coordination and collaboration

• Undertaken the mapping of relevant stakeholders and MHPSS actors at national and divisional level for voluntary, safe and dignified referrals

• Work closely with psychiatrists and psychologists to ensure access to counselling, psychotherapy, and specialized mental health care services.

• Promote coordination and collaboration with Civil Surgeons, Divisional Medical College Hospitals, Sadar Hospitals, and educational institutions in targeted areas to ensure well-coordinated services delivery

• Specifically identify and establish collaborations with MHPSS actors for the provision of Tel-counselling services as may be needed.

5. Monitoring and reporting

• Review, adapt and prepare data collection and reporting materials and tools that ensure confidentiality, data protection and dignity of beneficiaries

• Plan and undertake regular project monitoring and supportive supervision sessions for PSS counselors and volunteers.

• Prepare and submit regular and quality activity and general reports following agreed templates and schedule.

• Prepare and document key learnings, success stories and case studies to amplify the voices of the target beneficiaries.

• Ensure that project reports are well integrated into the health department and other BDRCS information management systems.

• Receive technical support from the DRC MHPSS team for quality planning and implementation MHPSS activities.