Purpose of the position:

The SPIR II MHPSS Advisor will lead the process of testing, adapting and refining appropriate group-based mental health and psychosocial support models in the SPIR II implementation context. She/he will also assess needs and develop targeted trauma counseling and support processes and capacities to respond to operational areas affected by conflict. Learning from the refinement and implementation period testing and studies will be incorporated into guidelines, training materials and modules that are adapted to the needs and context of SPIR II operational areas. The SPIR II MHPSS Advisor will drive this process along with the associated training of SPIR II MHPSS staff and government counterparts. She/he will provide close supervision and monitoring of the implementation of these models, with careful attention provided for the identification, referral and case management of severe mental health illnesses. She/he will also network and collaborate closely with other MHPSS researchers and program implementers both in Ethiopia and globally.

Major Responsibilities:

• Lead and facilitate the process of refining existing models (IPT-G) and testing and adapting new models (Group PM+, other) especially during the Refine and Implement period.
• Network and liaise with MHPSS implementation both in other WV field offices and with other partners to capture and incorporate the latest learning from the adaptation and implementation of these models in similar contexts (e.g. Uganda).
• Assess needs and develop or adapt MHPSS models to respond to conflict-related trauma, especially in the SPIR II Amhara operational areas.  
• Work closely with SPIR II Learning partner, IFPRI, in the design and roll-out of planned pilot test and studies related to adapted MHPSS models (e.g. Group PM+).
• Develop and/or adapt MHPSS program model guidelines based on learning and experience from previous programming or R&I period pilot tests.
• Participate in the development and implementation of group-based psychosocial programming
• Train and facilitate cascaded training for MHPSS program staff at Regional, Zonal/Woreda and Kebele levels.
• Orient and facilitate cascaded training and capacity building for GoE Ministry of Health counterparts at different administrative levels.
• Supervise Regional MHPSS staff and support the ongoing supervision of MHPSS Officers as they monitor and support the community-level facilitators (especially during initial phases of implementation)
• Provide clinical supervision to staff offering mental health and psychosocial support services and create a peer supervisory network built on foundations of knowledge exchange.
• Support the identification and referral of severe cases of depression, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders (PTSD) or severe mental, neurological or substance use disorders to appropriate medical facilities.
• Ensure people in acute distress are assisted to alleviate their stress, by ensuring that staff are trained on PFA and feel confident to use it.
• Ensure care and safety of clients is being upheld and safety risks are adequately responded to and reported.
• Build the capacity of SPIR II staff and partners, and ensure effective systems are in place for close follow-up and case management for this highly vulnerable group.
• Identify and network with other relevant MHPSS learning or research platforms to exchange ideas and learning from SPIR II research and experience.
• Document and share key MHPSS learning with other RFSAs, Ethiopia-based researchers and other stakeholders.
• Collaborate and exchange ideas and information with leaders in this field, including past collaborators at Johns Hopkins University and Colombia Teachers College.

Job Requirements

Qualifications: Education/Knowledge/Technical Skills and Experience

 Required Professional Experience:

• A minimum of 7 years working experience in mental health and psychosocial support in low resource or humanitarian settings, two of which have to be at a supervisory level.
• Experience providing clinical supervision in individual and group settings for large-scale MHPSS programs
• Experience in conducting quantitative and qualitative field research, and experience working closely with universities and/or other research institutions.
• Excellent analytical, oral and written communication skills.

Qualification required:

• Mental Health professional with an advanced (Master's) degree in Counselling, Psychology, clinical Psychology and/or Public Health.

Preferred Knowledge and Qualifications:

 Knowledge of group-based treatments such as IPT-G and Group PM+ strongly preferred.  

Working Environment / Conditions:

 Office based with travel to the field

 Travel: 25% Domestic travel is required

How to Apply

Interested applicants are required to Write Position Title on the subject line and attach Current CV with three references & fill employment application form which can be found here ) and email before the closing date of this announcement to Recruitment_ethiopia@wvi.org or through ethiojobs.net.

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