Call for Applications: Mental Health and Pyschosocial Support (MHPSS) and Addictions Specialist - UG

Job Description

BACKGROUND

Across Cameroon, the reintegration experience of returnees is increasingly affected by addiction-related vulnerabilities. Evidence gathered in Yaoundé, Douala and Buea shows that psychoactive substance use is widespread among young returnees, often linked to:

• Stress and trauma from their migration journey,
• Pre-existing vulnerabilities in communities of origin,
• Lack of psychosocial stability upon return,
• Unemployment, violence exposure, and weak support networks. 

During previous exploratory work, migrants reported that addiction—whether pre-existing, acquired during the journey, or aggravated by psychosocial stressors—impairs their ability to follow reintegration pathways, maintain motivation, manage funds, or sustain livelihoods. Key informants, including psychologists, health personnel and government actors, also emphasized structural gaps in early detection, referral, counselling, and treatment. 

At the same time, Cameroon is facing broader addiction challenges. National data shows high prevalence of substance use among youth, with health services under increased pressure to manage demand for psychosocial support, mental health counselling, and substance use interventions. 

In humanitarian settings—particularly in areas hosting IDPs and ex-associates of non-state armed groups—substance use is also reported as a coping mechanism against trauma, uncertainty and economic hardship. While this ToR remains focused on returnees under RRR, understanding the broader context enriches the development of guidance, tools and models that do not contradict MHPSS and protection interventions in these areas.

In this light, the EU-funded RRR project has identified the necessity to finalize and consolidate the work already initiated on addictions and reintegration and to produce actionable, context-appropriate tools for use across reintegration centres and national partners. The objective is to design practical, implementable protocols enabling staff to identify, manage, and refer addiction-related issues, while ensuring centres remain safe, drug-free, and supportive environments.

This consultancy therefore aims to bridge the evidence collected so far, develop new actionable frameworks, and root the RRR reintegration model in strong MHPSS and addiction-sensitive practices, while preparing the ground for future dedicated programming.

PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The incumbent will assess the influence of addictions on reintegration outcomes for AVRR returnees (primary focus), while also capturing light insights relevant for IDPs and ex-associates (secondary, non-central). The goal is to develop:

• Addiction-sensitive reintegration protocols,
• Screening and referral tools,
• A practical model for addiction risk mitigation in reintegration centres,
• Evidence-based recommendations integrated into RRR’s psychosocial and psychiatric care components,
• Awareness materials and training for staff and partners,
• An applied research report consolidating findings, and

Recommendations for future programming and partnerships.

Responsibilities

A. Consolidation of Evidence & Applied Analysis

1. Review all existing internal documents, tools, interview notes, and quantitative results related to addiction and reintegration.
2. Extract and analyse patterns of how addiction affects reintegration steps: motivation, economic projects, social stability, psychosocial wellbeing, family relations, and relapse.
3. Identify differences in manifestation between:
   • AVRR returnees (primary),
   • IDPs (comparative),
   • ex-associates (comparative).
4. Assess existing centre practices: gaps in screening, referral, management, confidentiality, safety, and prevention.

B. Development of Reintegration Protocols & Operational Tools

1. Addiction-Sensitive Reintegration Protocol (ASRP) including:
   • intake screening questions (light, practical),
   • indicators for referral to MHPSS or medical services,
   • tailored accompaniment pathways,
   • case management adaptations for addiction-affected returnees.
2. Addiction Screening Tool for reintegration staff (appropriate for non-clinical use).
3. Risk Assessment Framework to identify relapse risk, self-harm risk, and risk to others.
4. Confidentiality and ethical guidelines aligned with IOM’s MHPSS Framework.
5. Adaptations to reintegration questionnaires to better capture addiction-related variables (in line with existing Kobo tools).
6. Guidelines for drug-free and safe reintegration centres:
   • Prevention measures,
   • Visitor and access control,
   • Behavioural protocols,
   • Escalation and referral procedures.

C. Awareness, Training and Capacity Development

1. Design a training curriculum for centre staff on:
   • Understanding addiction mechanisms,
   • Managing returnees with substance use vulnerabilities,
   • Basic counselling skills,
   • Crisis management,
   • Safe referral pathways.
2. Conduct at least 2 training workshops in Yaoundé (staff from all centres).
3. Prepare awareness-raising materials for partners and communities on addiction as a reintegration barrier.

D. Partnership Mapping and Future Programming

1. Identify national partners capable of providing:
   • detoxification,
   • psychiatric care,
   • psychosocial counselling,
   • community support for addiction recovery.
2. Map donors, civil society actors, NGOs, and treatment facilities.
3. Provide recommendations for a future dedicated addiction & reintegration project, including:
   • Intervention model,
   • Target population,
   • Budget ideas,
   • Possible international donors.

E. Reporting

1. Inception Report (within 2 weeks).
2. Addiction & Reintegration Analytical Report (consolidated evidence).
3. Operational Protocol Package (all tools and guidelines).
4. Training materials and session reports.
5. Final Report summarizing achievements, recommendations, and future steps.

Qualifications

EDUCATION

• High school diploma with seven years of relevant experience; or,
• Bachelor’s degree in Clinical Psychology, Psychiatry, Public Health, MHPSS, Addiction Studies or related field from an accredited institution with five years of relevant professional experience

EXPERIENCE

• Experience in mental health, addiction management, or psychosocial programming.
• Experience with migration, reintegration, or humanitarian settings required.

SKILLS

• Strong knowledge of substance use disorders in African contexts; Cameroon experience is an asset.
• Proven ability to translate research into operational tools.
• Experience training multidisciplinary teams.
• Excellent analytical, writing, and communication skills.

LANGUAGE

For this position, fluency in English and/or French is required (oral and written).

Required Skills

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