Mental Health and psychosocial support in emergencies

Details

Mission and objectives

The WHO Country Office is the focal point for WHO activities in Romania. It was established in January 1991 in Bucharest in order to carry out a series of priority activities. The priorities for the Country Office are set out in the biennial collaborative agreement between WHO/Europe and the host country, and the Office implements the agreement in close collaboration with national institutions and international partner agencies.

Context

WHO is a specialized agency of the United Nations that was established in July 1946 and whose objective is the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health. WHO’s primary role is to direct and coordinate international health within the United Nations system. WHO’s main areas of work are health systems; health through the life-course; noncommunicable and communicable diseases; preparedness, surveillance and response; and corporate services.

Task description

The incumbent under direct supervision of the regional advisor for mental health and substance use consultant at the Regional office EMR will engage and coordinate with the Ministry of Health (MOH), Directorates of Health (DOHs), UN/NGO partners and national focal points for MHPSS to: • Provide technical guidance to develop, implement and monitor the MHPSS action plans for catering to the needs of population across the response and recovery phases; • Promote a system-based approach to integrate MHPSS in health and related social sectors in coordination with relevant agencies and entities; • Provide technical support for the capacity enhancement initiatives in coordination with the national and international stakeholders involved in the current humanitarian response to develop a multi-layered MHPSS response; • Facilitate development of community-based Mental Health services; • Coordinate with all stakeholders to enhance the capacity of PHC personnel to deliver a basic package of mental health care based on WHO Mental Health Gap Action Programme - Intervention Guide (mhGAP-HIG) as part of the PHC package of care; • Coordinate and technically support the development of secondary level psychiatric outpatient /inpatient services to provide referral and Supervisory support for PHC personnel; • Contribute to the development of and strengthening of specialist level psychiatric services; • Participate with all stakeholders and partners to develop IEC materials and raise awareness on mental and psychosocial needs to counter stigma and discrimination; Co-develop, in coordination with national stakeholders, surveillance and monitoring systems; • Provide technical advice to partner civil society organizations and other entities, as appropriate, on the issues related to instituting a robust MHPSS program; • Assist with Mobilization of adequate and sustained resources for the development and implementation of MHPSS activities and programmes; • Provide programmatic support to the mental health and substance abuse programme at the country office; • Written periodic updates on MHPSS services, shared with relevant sectors and management; • Draft and review technical documents and information products as appropriate. Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to:- Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day)- Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country- Provide annual and end of assignment reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities using UNV’s Volunteer Reporting Application- Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.- Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers- Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.