MHPSS Officer_ Berhale & Yallo

INTRODUCTION:

Medical Teams International is a Christian humanitarian relief agency focused on providing life-saving medical care for people in crisis. We serve all people—regardless of religion, nationality, sex, or race. Our calling is Daring to love like Jesus, we boldly break barriers to health and restore wholeness in a hurting world. Medical Team International is looking for qualified applicants for the following positions:

Workdays & Hours: Monday-Friday, 40-48 hours/week, occasional weekends and public holidays.

Medical Teams International Calling:

Daring to love like Jesus, we boldly break barriers to health and restore wholeness in a hurting world.

JOB SUMMARY

To provide quality health care services for vulnerable refugee and host populations in Afar, Ethiopia. The MHPSS Officer will be responsible for collaborating with other medical staff on the integration of mental health and psychiatric treatment with basic healthcare services in order to ensure the treatment of patients suffering from severe and common mental health and psychiatric disorders and coordinating counselling services.

JOB RESPONSIBITIES

Medical / Technical

• Assess, diagnose, treat, and manage patients with mental illnesses psychiatric disorder; refer complicated cases to Doctor
• Provide counselling for survivors of traumatic events, including sexual assault
• Administer use of and monitor reactions to psychotropic and other medications
• Support client in understanding the nature of emotional disturbances and mental illness and accepting the need for treatment with specific attention to the cultural context
• Maintain accurate records and documentation of patient treatments according to standard medical recordkeeping and MTI policy
• Identify and screen potential clients and refer for appropriate follow up care
• Participate in community mobilization and sensitization on mental health issues
• Support medicine management for psychiatric drugs for regional health facilities in close collaboration with the MHNT Team Lead, Medical Coordinator, and Doctor
• Provide training for medical staff on diagnosis and treatment of severe and common mental health disorders
• Ensure data collected is accurate and submit reports according to schedule
• Ensure that medical practices are confidential and conducted with the highest level of integrity and ethics according to professional and MTI Code of Conduct
• Other duties as assigned

Quality Management

• Aiming to achieve the highest quality programming possible within the challenging context of Afar region, Ethiopia
• Ensure all patients are treated based on the Guidelines of the Ministry of Health and the IMCI guidelines
• Ensure rational use of drugs such that only those essential for treatment are prescribed. Do not overprescribe.
• Provide compassionate and respectful care to all patients who present to the clinic
• Support other staff and colleagues to maintain good infection control practices to prevent spread of illnesses within the clinic and among the staff

Additional activities

• Support other areas of the clinic as requested or needed to ensure efficiency and quality of care to all
• Maintain a clean and safe working environment, disposing of waste and sharps appropriately.

Support safeguarding of program participants and employees through promoting an environment of awareness and upholding the code of conduct provisions of Medical Teams Protection from Sexual Exploitation & Abuse, Child & Vulnerable Adult protection, and harassment-free workplace policies. Incumbents will remain alert and responsive to any child and adult safeguarding risks, acquire relevant knowledge and skills which will enable you to promote strong safeguarding practices, understand the child and adult safeguarding policy and procedures, and conduct yourself in a manner consistent with the Safeguarding

EDUCATION, LICENSES, & CERTFICATION

• BSc Degree in Psychiatry,

EXPERIENCE

• A minimum of 2 years of professional experience after qualification in providing direct mental health care service.
• Experience working with INGOs is an added advantage

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of development & humanitarian issues and concepts
• Fluent spoken and written Amharic,English language and Afarigna/Afar Afe language is an added advantage.
• Strong interpersonal and team skills
• Proven ability to be flexible in demanding situations
• Excellent communicator
• Ability to adapt to a changing environment
• Negotiation and representation skills
• Analytical and problem-solving Computer literate, able to work efficiently in Microsoft office on standard or mobile platforms.

SKILLS:

• Humanitarian motivation
• Emotionally and spiritually mature
• Team player – practical, desire to support the field teams.
• Willingness to pitch in and get the job done
• Understanding and sensitivity to cross cultural issues
• Flexible and adaptable to ever changing environments
• Ability to remain calm under pressure
• Able to build new relationships and gain people’s trust quickly
• Integrity in representing Medical Teams Willing to travel to insecure environments

ABILITIES:

• Ability to work cooperatively in a team environment
• Ability to prioritize tasks
• Ability to embrace and promote MTI’s mission and vision
• Ability to uphold and exemplify the organization’s core values
• Ability to represent the organization in a professional manner to donors, volunteers, and the public

This position requires frequent travel to health facilities located in remote areas with very basic living conditions.

NOTE: The above job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by staff assigned to this job. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of staff in this position. Duties, responsibilities, and skills are also subject to change based on the changing needs of the job, department, or organization. This description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions, it does not proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned; The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by Medical Teams International as the requirements of the job change.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and reaches their potential as individuals and teams and collaborates to do the best work of their lives. We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening, and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to adhere to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policies.

Safeguarding & Code of Conduct

Medical Teams International is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come in to contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Medical Teams International Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Children and Vulnerable Adult Protection Policy, Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Policy, Code of Conduct and Conflict of Interest Policy Training upon hire and on an annual basis.