Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Specialist (MHPSS)- Philippines

Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Specialist (MHPSS)- Philippines

The Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Specialist will provide technical support to develop and strengthen the quality of mental health and psychosocial support services provided by Balay to survivors of human rights violations (including torture) and victims of community violence. The MHPSS Specialist’s primary function will be to build the capacity of the center to better meet the MHPSS needs of its beneficiaries.  Activities include assessment, development and implementation of capacity building training, clinical supervision, design and implementation of clinical interventions, supporting workforce development and MHPSS mainstreaming, program evaluation and community collaboration.

This position focuses on clinical supervision, training and capacity building MHPSS staff to conduct clinical services. The position does not provide direct services to beneficiaries.

Position Details:                                         

• Location: Manila, Philippines
• Reports to: HSH Mental Health Clinical Advisor
• Remote status: 100% in-person
• Full/part-time status: Full-time
• Length of position: 8-months
• Position Type: Non-National (expatriate)
• CVT will support the candidate in securing a work permit/employment authorization/employment visa in the Philippines.

About the Project:

Helping Survivors Heal is a capacity development project which supports the mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) work of 12 torture rehabilitation organizations around the world by providing subgrants and technical assistance.

Organization:

The Center for Victims of Torture works toward a future in which torture ceases to exist and its victims have hope for a new life. We are an international nonprofit dedicated to healing survivors of torture. We offer rehabilitation services to those who have been tortured, train partners around the world who can prevent and treat torture, and advocate for human rights and an end to torture. We are headquartered in Minnesota, and we have US offices in Georgia and DC, as well as offices in Africa and the Middle East.

Responsibilities:

• Strategic Clinical Support:  Collaborate with the partner center staff on developing MHPSS services. Support the development of MHPSS unified approach and effective clinical policies, guidelines, practices and tools when required.
• Clinical Supervision:  Collaborate with the partner center to develop its capacities in peer and individual supervision including a supervision structure, guidance documents and supervision skills.
• Capacity Building Training:  Design and carry out capacity building training programs for program MHPSS staff, including formal training sessions, technical support related to implementation and supervision.  Continually assess development of MHPSS providers and adapt training to meet their needs.  Build capacity MHPSS providers to design and conduct trainings.
• Assessment: In collaboration with  HSH and the Balay Learning, Monitoring and Evaluation (LME) and MHPSS working groups develop clinically appropriate assessment tools and strategies. Support project team in data collection and assessment of organization’s existing systems and methods of mental health service delivery. Support implementation of the partner organization’s Institutional Strengthening Plan (ISP) and the annual work plan, in collaboration with the partner center staff.
• Reporting: Write and submit regular reports regarding clinical and training activities. Mentor staff on report writing.
• Other Duties: Participate in other program and organization-wide activities, meetings and trainings. Complete administrative responsibilities such as expense reporting and time sheet submission. Perform other duties as assigned by the HSH MHPSS Clinical Advisor, Balay Executive Director and/or Balay Project Manager.

Qualifications:

Required education, experience, certificates, licenses or registrations

• Advanced degree (Master’s degree, PhD or equivalent) in clinical psychology, clinical social work, or clinical counseling.
• 8 years of experience providing mental health/psychosocial support services to a variety of target groups including survivors of human rights violations (including torture), adults, families, children and adolescents.
• 5 years of experience providing training on MHPSS topics for participants with different professional backgrounds and knowledge.
• 8 years of experience supervising MHPSS practitioners.
• Experience working with locally-run NGO organizations and negotiating multiple relationships within and between organizations.

Preferred education, experience, certificates, licenses or registrations

• Experience with/knowledge of mainstreaming MHPSS into other sectors
• Proven ability to write MHPSS documents (such as guideline, handbook, unified approaches, etc.)

Competencies (Knowledge, Skills and Abilities)

• Understanding of MHPSS and human rights.
• Familiarity with the Philippine national context.
• Experience conducting program needs assessments, program development, program evaluation and reporting.
• Flexibility, adaptability, diplomacy and self-sufficiency to work within a local partner organization.
• Knowledge and experience in integrating cultural and diversity (e.g., gender, age, disability) considerations into MHPSS programming and services.
• Sensitivity to diversity issues.
• Demonstrated flexibility to adapt to changing program requirements, client needs and political climate.
• Understanding of and extensive experience implementing culturally appropriate mental health interventions, including individual, group and community-based approaches for people who have suffered torture and trauma.    
• Familiarity with IASC guidance on education in emergencies and child protection.
• Knowledge of social emotional learning.
• Understanding of and experience developing and providing training to MHPSS providers, sensitization on the effects of trauma and designing interventions.
• Appreciation and desire for participating in and receiving clinical supervision.
• Excellent skills in organization, attention to detail and time management (including the ability to meet deadlines).
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office suite (Outlook, Word and Excel).
• Fluency in English is required (oral and writing).
• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communications skills.
• Ability to travel to program implementation sites.

Work Environment:

• Typical office environment
• Time spent on the computer is approximately 30%

Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to sit; stand; walk; use hands to handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. This position requires the ability to occasionally lift supplies of 10 to 15 pounds.

Travel: Ability to travel by car to a variety of locations within large city, metro area, surrounding communities for up to 8 hours/week.

To Apply: Please submit CV, letter of interest that includes why you are interested in the position; names and contact information for 3 references, and salary expectations by May 9, 2024 to http://cvt.simplicant.com/

CVT is committed to hiring and fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce that leverages the skills and talents of all employees in our organization, regardless of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, veteran status, familial status, genetic information, or any other protected status. We encourage candidates with diverse backgrounds such as these to apply for this position