Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Associate

H (no hardship)FamilyFamilyGS6General Service

Reason

Regular > Regular AssignmentNo2023-02-16-08:00March 1, 2023Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Associate Organizational Setting and Work Relationships Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) describes any type of local or outside support that aims to protect or promote psychosocial well-being and/or prevent or treat mental disorder. It is therefore, by definition, a multi-sectoral issue. Within the work of UNHCR and partners, MHPSS activities do not constitute a separate sector, but are mainly realized within existing sectors and work fields such as health, nutrition, community-based protection, child protection, and SGBV. The main task of the MHPSS team is to build and maintain capacity for MHPSS interventions within UNHCR and partners in order to foster delivery of quality MHPSS interventions for refugees and surrounding host communities. The Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Associate is a member of the MHPSS team and reports to the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Officer, or (depending on the office set-up) to the Public Health or Protection Officer. The supervisor defines the general work objectives and provides necessary advice and guidance. Under the overall direction of the supervisor, and in coordination with other UNHCR staff, government, NGO partners and other stakeholders, the MHPSS Associate works directly with communities of concern to identify the MHPSS risks, to promote that they receive appropriate MHPSS services and supports. By doing so, the incumbent will pursue an AGD approach, ensuring that persons with specific needs and those most vulnerable and at risk will be considered in all activities. This may imply the direct provision of MHPSS interventions (particularly Psychological First Aid, scalable psychological interventions and case management) to persons of concern (particularly in the earlier stages of an emergency and with focus on the most vulnerable and persons with specific needs) but will progressively focus on supporting partners, community outreach members and other UNHCR staff to provide such supports. To fulfil this role the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Associate is required to spend a substantial percentage of time working outside the office, building and maintaining networks within communities of persons of concern, in particular considering the most vulnerable and persons with specific needs. All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR¿s core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity. Duties - Apply UNHCR¿s policies, standards and procedures around MHPSS constantly and coherently. - Constantly and coherently apply UNHCR¿s policies, standards and procedures regarding Protection, Child Protection and working with survivors and persons of risk of SGBV, including women, girls, men and boys. - Provide MHPSS assistance, which is guided by the UNHCR country protection strategy, including Child Protection and SGBV guidelines, and by relevant UN/UNHCR protection standards and IASC guidelines. - Work directly with communities of concern to identify MHPSS problems and to promote that they receive appropriate services and supports. - Upon indication, assist UNHCR protection staff in assessing the MHPSS needs of persons of concern (high priority cases and or persons with complex or severe problems, including survivors and persons at risk of SGBV) initiate treatment and define appropriate follow up interventions. - Support capacity building and hands-on support on MHPSS interventions to relevant protection staff, particularly those for community-based protection, child protection and SGBV and their partners. - Assist functional units, Multi-Functional Teams (MFT) and senior management to integrate MHPSS approaches in the overall protection delivery strategy and operational procedures, including in community-based protection, child protection and SGBV. - Assist the identification of capacities within communities of concern and the analysis of risks they face. - Provide technical guidance to partners around MHPSS. - Provide technical guidance to UNHCR staff around MHPSS, in particular community-based protection, child protection and SGBV units. - Keep regular contacts with local authorities and partners as requested by supervisor. - Identify and select which individuals or groups to prioritize for MHPSS interventions and field visits based on agreed criteria. - Ensure compliance of implementing partners with global protection policies and standards of professional integrity in the delivery of MHPSS services. - Perform other related duties as required. Minimum Qualifications Education & Professional Work Experience Years of Experience / Degree Level For G6 - 3 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher Field(s) of Education Not applicable Certificates and/or Licenses *Clinical Psychology; *Clinical Social Work Mental Health; Psychiatry; Public Health; Social Work or other relevant field (Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential) Relevant Job Experience Essential Experience with provision MHPSS services in refugee settings or other disadvantaged communities. Minimum of 6 years previous relevant job experience, preferably in humanitarian settings. Desirable Experience in working in the field of community-based protection, SGBV and/or child protection is an asset. Functional Skills *IT-Computer Literacy CL-Multi-stakeholder Communications with Partners, Government & Community CL-Needs Assessment and Response Analysis CO-Cross-cultural communication MD-Health Information Systems (HIS) WB - Community Services/Social Work WB - Psychosocial risk assessment and recommendation of mitigating measures (Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential) Language Requirements For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English. For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language. For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English. All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination and abuse of power. As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise. This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.GS category:

This position is open to applications from internal and external candidates, provided that requirements regarding professional experience, academic qualifications, language, etc. are fulfilled.

TO THE ATTENTION OF EXTERNAL CANDIDATES:
External Candidates must meet the essential minimum requirements of the position and must have either Polish citizenship or the legal status necessary to work in Poland.

Your application will NOT be considered if;
- The application form is not duly filled.
- The residence/work permit not submitted (for non-Polish candidates)

Additional Information

UNHCR’s workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages and opinions. We seek to sustain and strengthen this diversity and to ensure equal opportunities, as well as an inclusive working environment, for our entire workforce. Joining us means living, sharing and promoting these core values of inclusion, diversity and gender equality.

Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on the grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity.
UNHCR reserves the right to retain applications and consider external candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNHCR at the same grade or lower level and with similar job descriptions, experience, and educational requirements for the appointment of a shorter duration (Temporary Appointment).

UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, training or any other fees).

Recruitment as a UNHCR staff member and engagement under a UNHCR affiliate scheme is subject to proof of vaccination against Covid-19.

Shortlisted candidates may be required to sit for a test. Only shortlisted candidates will be notified. No late applications will be accepted.

Remuneration & Benefits

A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. The monthly net salary is between PLN 7,706 and PLN 9,409 depending on relevant experience, dependency status and language proficiency. For more information on UN salaries, allowances and benefits, please visit the portal of the Office of HR Management of United Nations.
UNHCR also offers comprehensive medical insurance and pension plans.Polish

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Russian

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Ukrainian

Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations: https://www.cdc.gov/travel

Nature of Position:

Poland’s eastern borders with Belarus, the Russian Federation and Ukraine serve as the European Union’s external boundaries. The country currently hosts over 1 million refugees from Ukraine, in addition to a smaller number of asylum seekers and refugees from different countries.

UNHCR has been in Poland for 30 years (since 1992), working with national authorities on refugee-related matters. With the Ukraine emergency, UNHCR has substantially scaled up its presence and operations. It currently has a Country Office and Frontex Liaison Office in Warsaw, two Field Offices in Warsaw and Lublin and two Sub-Offices in Rzeszow and Krakow, with a workforce of nearly 140 national and international staff.

The overarching principles guiding UNHCR’s strategy in Poland include: i) localization and centrality of protection, ii) strengthening national systems, avoiding duplication and rationalizing the Refugee Coordination Model (RCM) so that it serves the purpose efficiently and iii) capitalizing on the Global Compact for Refugees (GCR) paradigms to advance the rights of refugees and stateless persons in Poland.

As the UN-mandated agency to provide international protection to refugees, UNHCR leads the refugee coordination structure in support of the Government-led response, with the aim to complement, support and strengthen the national response to the refugee crisis, along with ensuring no duplication of interventions and complementarity of action.

Given the influx, there was need to scale up in service provision covering various areas including Mental Health and Psychosocial Support by government, agencies, and organizations. Through the response, UNHCR MHPSS team continues to engaged in identification of needs, providing technical guidance and supporting coordination.

Living and Working Conditions:

 

Additional Qualifications

Skills

Certifications

Clinical Psychology - Other, Clinical Social Work - Other, Community Development/Social Work - Other, Mental Health - Other, Psychiatry - Other, Public Health - Other

Competencies

Accountability, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Innovation & creativity, Judgement & decision making, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Stakeholder management, Teamwork & collaboration

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Compendium

This position doesn't require a functional clearance

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