Psychologist - Bekaa - FOR NATIONAL CANDIDATES ONLY

Job Overview/Summary: The Psychologist will be responsible for providing direct support and care for cases of persons with specific needs (PwSN) in North Bekaa area. The Psychologist will be supervised by the Senior Protection Manager and directly supervising the Case Management Officer and CDC Officer.

The Psychologist will also be responsible for the oversight of the CDC activities providing PSS sessions to beneficiaries and providing technical support in the management of the center activities in coordination with the CDC Officer.

With support from IRC PRoL technical advisor, the Psychologist will develop standard operating procedures for the provision of psychosocial support in individual, group and community-based settings specific to the needs of PWSNs and will be informed by an understanding of cultural norms around mental health, gender roles, violence against women and girls, and the neglect, exploitation and abuse of children and other vulnerable refugee groups. Coordination with other IRC protection programs such as WPE and CP is expected.

Major Responsibilities: Major responsibilities of the Psychologist (not exhaustive) are listed below:

1. Provision of psychosocial support

• Provide quality psychosocial support to clients identified both through the project and as a result of external referrals.
• Conduct support groups and individual counselling with beneficiaries;
• Provision of technical support to the case management team and CDC team (CDC Officer and CDC Facilitators);
• Provide training on the identification and management of priority mental health conditions to general health and protection staff in line with relevant guidelines;
• Assist  case workers in the referral to mental health agencies;
• Provide training, support and technical supervision and monitoring and evaluation assistance to staff implementing PSS activities;
• Improve and develop curricula, materials and other tools used by teams during the implementation of PSS programming;
• Develop standard operating procedures (SOP) and protocols for mental health and psychosocial support providers
• Lead/support development of guidelines for the referral of cases in need of psychosocial support by community focal points, to ensure effective responses to the needs of clients, and for referral of cases in need of clinical mental health support.
• Develop and ensure integrated data collection tools are used across case management team; with a special focus on referrals and follow up;
• Overview of case management assessments of clients to ensure qualitative reporting and analysis on a case by case basis to ensure action plan set with client is in line with protection principles.
• Support response to the identified needs by providing training for specific groups and individual level interventions/ activities (adapted and appropriate to each one’s specific needs and capacities);
• Ensure accurate and timely documentation of services provided to clients, in support of quality monitoring and effective project management processes, at all times ensuring the confidentiality of clients’ identifying information.
• Participate actively in weekly team meetings in order to contribute to project planning and effective implementation.
• Develop self-care sessions for staff and support staff with individual counselling and stress coping mechanism session, upon request. 
• Any other tasks as deemed necessary by the supervisor.

1. Data management and reporting

• Manage, file and store data, ensuring the confidentiality of the information collected and the services provided.
• Participate in weekly/monthly reporting and planning meetings to ensure adherence to standards of care, quality case management and reporting requirements.
• Support implementation of monitoring and evaluation exercises, when required, in order to understand project impacts and outcomes, and report challenges encountered in the implementation of the project.
• Participate in preparation of internal and external reports, as required.

1. Coordination and representation

• Contribute to the maintenance of an up-to-date service mapping of the service providers operating in the area and take proactive steps to remain informed about the available services.
• Receive cases referred from other agencies. Provide feedback of actions taken to other agencies, as necessary and appropriate in light of confidentiality requirements.
• Lobby on behalf of individuals and families to access services and support individuals and families to effectively represent their views, needs and capacities in all meetings affecting them.
• Coordinate with Donor (UNHCR) relevant focal points.
• Support timely information sharing regarding challenges and needs at the field level
• Represent IRC in internal and external forums as needed

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to:  Senior Protection Manager

Position directly supervises:  Case Management Officer and CDC Officer

Position technically supervises: Case Workers

Other Internal and/or external contacts:   Protection Programs (WPE and CP) and Donor (UNHCR)

Job Requirements:

Education:

• Degree in Psychology or counselling with psychotherapy, clinical and or counselling psychology work experience in humanitarian settings.

Work Experience:

• Minimum of 3 years of professional experience in NGO of relevant work experience in psychosocial support/psychology, in clinical and/or direct practice settings.
• Knowledge of and experience in clinical supervision, training and or coaching others.
• Experience in assessment, program design, evaluation and technical training and supervision
• Solid understanding of protection principles, case management and survivor-centered care in humanitarian settings,

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

• Ability to maintain confidentiality, respect, non-discrimination and safety of beneficiaries at all times.
• Proven understanding of women and child protection
• Excellent communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and problem-solving skills, creativity and flexibility.
• Ability to work autonomously, take initiative and responsibly escalate issues.
• Strong team spirit, comfortable in a multi-cultural environment.
• Interpersonal qualities: Works well in teams and promotes teamwork, flexible and able to handle pressure and conflict well in a calm and constructive manner.
• Strong problem solving skills with ability to be flexible, adaptable, and creative in a challenging and fast-moving multicultural environment.
• Flexibility in working overtime when needed and ability to handle pressure well.
• Good computer skills (Microsoft Word and Excel).

Language Skills: 

• Ability to communicate and write clearly in Arabic and English.

Computer/Other Tech Requirements:

• Full professional competency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint. 

Working Environment:  Base Located in Zahle, Bekaa (50%) and Aarsal Center (50%) the working environment will be a combination of office-based and field-based.