Médecins du Monde is operating in Ethiopia since 1986 in different types of health projects from long-term interventions to emergency response. MEDECINS DU MONDE FRANCE (MDM) invites qualified candidates, to apply for the following Position:

Job Summary

The MHPSS Officer will play a vital role in the implementation of community led services through strengthening individual and group counselling activities, coaching of peer educators on lay counselling and capacitating People to identify needs among their community and learn how to deal with and manage problems and challenges at a community level.

Essential duties and responsibilities

• Implementation of the activities according to the logical framework: counselling, identify GBV cases, creating links with similar organization and partners working on MHPSS, training, IEC tools etc.
• Assess sex workers' needs, their personal situation and, strengths in order to develop plans to improve their well-being.
• Determines the state of wellbeing of the sex worker's situation by interviewing the client; assessing psychological, emotional, and social information; making on-site visits.
• Coaches and supervises peer educators in their community-based activities (lay counselling &support group sessions) at project sites in coordination with Community worker.
• Co-designs and co-animates psychosocial and recreational and group activities with the FSW beneficiaries and the DIC (Drop in Centre) officer at the Logia DIC. Those activities aim to create awareness about M H and psychological needs and develop positive copying mechanisms, self-care and community care practices and promote positive self-esteem among FSWs
• Offers individual counselling for cases self-referred or referred by the PE (Peer Educator) or health care providers at the DIC in Logia and the different program sites.
• Supports the DIC psychosocial activities e.g. individual counselling, group counselling sessions or support groups for special needs e.g. PLHIV or GBV survivors, risk reduction sessions.
• Organizes, facilitates and conducts specific trainings on GBV issues/MHPSS/PFA for Sex workers & health care workers according to the needs.
• Obtains assistance for sex workers by referring them to community resources; arranging for appointments; establishing rapport with other agencies.
• Maintains records of cases by documenting the beneficiaries' situation and own's actions, adhering to data protection regulations.
• Monitors planned actions through regular follow-up.
• Maintains strict confidentiality of FSWs' personal information receiving PSS services.
• Contributes to the team effort by accomplishing interrelated results as needed.
• Follows up with beneficiaries to ensure that their situations and wellbeing has progressed.
• Participates in coordination meetings at field level.
• Reports on MHPSS activities in the monthly progress activities report.
• Performs any other task assigned by the field coordinator.
• Participates in demand creation activities to increase service utilization.
• Collects and documents testimonies from FSWs on their vital experiences.

Duty station:  Ethiopia, Afar region, Semera field Office (with frequent travel to project sites (Asayita, Dubti, Logia, Duchoto and Mille).

Employment Term: 6 months with possibility of extension, start immediately.

Reported to: Field Coordinator

Job Requirements

Educational Qualification

• Bachelor's Degree in psychology.

Work Experience

• At least 2 years' experience working as a counsellor preferably with vulnerable population groups such as sex workers.

Skills and qualities required

• Experience on organizing and facilitating workshops and trainings.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills, including negotiation and conflict resolution skills and the ability to establish a smooth working relationship with FSWs, other team members and other stakeholders.
• Understands the harm reduction approach that MdM promotes.
• Proven knowledge and experience in developing and supporting community mobilization projects.
• Familiar with standards and guidelines for GBV prevention and response programming and coordination activities.
•  Familiar with international humanitarian operations, coordination structures, and the mandates of donors, UN agencies, and other NGOs.
• Strong organizational and team working skills.
• Good cultural awareness and sensitivity.
• Ability to work under pressure and with limited supervision.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Knowledge of institutional health system in Ethiopia.
• Regional experience preferred.
• Experience in working with international humanitarian organizations is a plus.
• Experience of program planning, implementation and report writing is an asset.
• Being available within short period will be considered.
• Female’s candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

Languages

• English: Fluent
• Amharic: Fluent
• Afar : is an asset

How to Apply

Interested applicant who meet the above requirement should summit their application letter and CV, Fill the application form by using the following link https://forms.gle/1574HAerM7XctSvm9 and write the subject Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Officer Semera Project.