CFA2026_008_International Consultant (Mental Health and Psychosocial Support) _Protection Unit_Gonaives.

Job Description

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations, and as the leading UN agency in the field of migration, 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.

For more information about IOM, please visit:https://www.iom.int/mission 

IOM is committed to providing a diverse and inclusive work environment. To learn more about diversity and inclusion at the IOM, visitwww.iom.int/diversity.

Responsibilities

Project Context and Scope:

Haiti has faced a worsening humanitarian crisis since its president's assassination in 2021, leading to significant displacement and irregular migration due to gang violence. Since 2025, IOM data shows 1,041,000 people displaced, with over half being children. Over 200,000 forced returns have occurred since 2024, mostly from the Dominican Republic. The ongoing political instability, economic hardship, and gang attacks have created high levels of stress, trauma, and emotional distress across the population. Access to mental health care remains limited, and there is an urgent need to strengthen support systems, build community resilience, and provide culturally appropriate services to help individuals and communities recover and thrive. 

Under the overall supervision of the Senior Emergency Coordinator and the direct supervision of the Protection Coordinator, the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Consultant will be responsible for supporting MHPSS-related activities for IOM’s emergency programming in Haiti.

RESPONSIBILITES

1. With the support of the Protection Coordinator, coordinate the implementation of current MHPSS interventions with a view to strengthen and expand them with a strategic vision and objective;

2. Provide oversight of operational and programmatic aspects of all MHPSS projects and activities;

3. Work with the MHPSS field team and provide technical guidance in close coordination with the Protection Unit;

4. Provide suggestions and technical input for the strengthening and/or development of new strategies, projects, and activities to expand and improve MHPSS among IDPs, migrants and other vulnerable communities in Haiti;

5. Ensure coordination with all IOM program units and the mainstreaming of MHPSS approach in IOM interventions; 

6. Provide technical guidance and support to IOM implementing partners working on MHPSS activities, including programmatic and financial oversight;

7. Support in designing MHPSS capacity-building initiatives for Ministry of Health and the Health Cluster partners with a focus on addressing suicide prevalence among IDPs in Haiti, including promoting MHPSS/awareness campaigns in IDP sites;

8. Monitor relevant national policy, strategy and programmatic developments in relation to mental health, psychosocial response and intercultural communication needs of migrants and displaced populations, and inform senior management and the Global MHPSS Unit through briefs;

9. Contribute to the development and organize the implementation of capacity-building for IOM staff and partners on MHPSS, based on a capacity needs assessment;

10. Liaise with UN agencies, other intergovernmental agencies, NGOs and NGO networks, academic institutions and networks of national significance;

11. Act as MHPSS focal point for IOM Haiti and participate in relevant coordination forums at country level, including the MHPSS working group and the Health Cluster;

12. Promote and facilitate the inclusion of MHPSS into IOM and humanitarian appeal processes and documents, and support reporting and writing funding proposals including budgets;

13. Prepare reports covering MHPSS-related activities, briefings, statistical/narrative reports, and background notes as requested by IOM, Governments, donors, and other entities. 

14. Perform other tasks as assigned.

Qualifications

Education, Experience and/or skills required

Education

• Master’s degree in psychology (General, Clinical, Counselling, Social or Community), Social Work, Medical Anthropology, Social Animation from an accredited academic institution.; or                                         Bachelor’s degree in the above fields with 5 years of relevant professional experience 

Experience

• Experience in humanitarian affairs, and/or development relating to migration, refugee, IDP issues, showing increasing levels of responsibility; field experience preferred. 

• Experience in liaising with government authorities, other national/international institutions, and NGOs

• Experience in project management and development and/or monitoring, evaluation, and reporting;

• Demonstrated experience working on MHPSS programming and/or vulnerable people with MHPSS needs in an emergency or post-conflict environment.

• Solid knowledge of Protection coordination mechanisms

Skills

• Strong planning and coordination skills

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including ability to work in a multi-cultural environment

• Sound ability to communicate practical knowledge on actions to address Protection and MHPSS issues at the operational level

• Demonstrated analytical, writing and reporting skills

• Solid computer skills (MS Excel, Word and PowerPoint).

LANGUAGES REQUIRED 

Fluency in French and English is required (oral and written)

Desirable

Basic knowledge of English

Travel required

The consultant may need to travel within Haiti, particularly to field locations for site visits, technical assessments, and coordination meetings with partners. Travel will comply with IOM’s safety protocols and operational requirements.

Competencies:

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

Valeurs

• 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:

• 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.

Required Skills

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