Program Associate, MHPSS

Established in 1951, IOM is the leading inter-governmental organization in the field of migration and works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.

IOM Ethiopia, in close coordination and collaboration with the Government of Ethiopia as well as other UN and NGO partners, provides post-arrival support to thousands of vulnerable Ethiopian migrant returnees every year. As a consequence of hardships and human right violations suffered along their journey, many migrants return with psychiatric and psychosocial challenges that must be addressed to protect migrants’ well-being and support successful reintegration in their communities.

Under the overall supervision of the Head of Programmes, and the direct supervision of the Programme Officer (Health and MHPSS), and in coordination with the Programme Officer (Return and Reintegration), the successful candidate will be responsible for the carrying out the following duties and responsibilities in relation to the Mental Health And Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) activities of IOM Ethiopia’s Protection Unit, working closely with the Migration Health Unit, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

1. Provide  basic MHPSS support to vulnerable migrants, including at the IOM Migrant Transit Center and partner shelter facilities in Addis Ababa in accordance with the established procedures, and facilitate the referral of migrants with mental health needs to partner NGO shelters and psychiatric hospitals/clinics.
2. Assist in the provision of technical support to IOM staff working at IOM’s Migration Response Centres (MRC),  in close coordination with MHU specialists as needed.
3. Organize and participate in group and individual psychosocial activities to promote mental health and wellbeing.
4. Assist in the implementation and coordination of the design of MHPSS activities (including in migrants’ communities of origin) and contribute to the preparation of an MHPSS activity work plan for PxU.
5. Support the implementation of Ethiopia’s National Referral Mechanism (NRM) in terms of MHPSS services and referral pathways, including by contributing to SOP development and capacity-development activities targeting MHPSS service providers.
6. Participate in relevant trainings on MHPSS provision and assist in roll-out of trainings to IOM staff and external partners, including Ethiopian government officials and non-governmental organizations.
7. Support project monitoring and project reporting with regards to MHPSS activities as well as the mainstreaming MHPSS provision across PxU programs.
8. Support PxU’s Information Management officer by  maintainig up-to-date records of MHPSS assistance provided and sharing regular updates.
9. Participate in MHPSS thematic meetings organized by external partners and IOM.
10. Undertake field missions when necessary to provide MHPSS assistance to migrants’ home communities and to provide technical support and backstopping to IOM field-level operations (including at MRCs).
11. Undertake all administrative and office related to support the successful implementation of tasks and the project activities.
12. Undertake any other duty as may be assigned by the direct supervisor.

EDUCATION

•    University Degree with at least three years of relevant working experience.

OR

•    Secondary School Diploma with at least five years of relevant working  experience.

EXPERIENCE

•    Experience in MHPSS work such as counseling, protection and social work activities targeting IDPs, migrants and/or refugees.
•    Experience in liaising with governmental authorities, national/international institutions, United Nations agencies and non-governmental organizations;
•    Experience in conducting training on MHPSS;
•    Experience working with migrants returning to Ethiopia from the Eastern, Southern, and Northern routes;
•    Previous working experience with NGOs or international organizations is an added advantage.

SKILLS

•    At least an intermediate level of MS office skills;
•    Effective managerial and leadership skills in the provision of data entry and customer care;
•    Analytical skills;
•    Excellent communication skills;
•    Fast and accurate typing.

Languages

REQUIRED

• External applicants for all positions in the Professional category are required to be proficient in English and have at least a working knowledge of one additional UN Language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish).
  For all applicants, fluency in English & Amharic is required (oral and written).

DESIRABLE

Other Ethiopian languagues, particularly Afaan Oromoo and Tigrigna.

Competencies

The incumbent is expected to demonstrate the following values and competencies:

VALUES – All IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these five values:

Inclusion and respect for diversity: Respects and promotes individual and cultural differences. Encourages diversity and inclusion.
Integrity and transparency: Maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.
Professionalism: Demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.
Courage: Demonstrates willingness to take a stand on issues of importance.
Empathy: Shows compassion for others, makes people feel safe, respected and fairly treated.

CORE COMPETENCIES – Behavioural indicators

Teamwork: Develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.
Delivering results: Produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner. Is action oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.
Managing and sharing knowledge: Continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.
Accountability: Takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own actions and delegated work.
Communication: Encourages and contributes to clear and open communication. Explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.