Psychologist

Rapid Response Team (RRT) Psychologist

Duty station: Kharkiv Oblast

Key working relationships:
Position Reports to: RRT Team Leader/MPHSS Manager (Technical link)
Position directly supervises:
Internal collaborations within IRC:  Field Coordinator, WPE, CP, ERD, Health
External collaborations to IRC: 

Job Overview/Summary:
After almost a year of conflict, the operating environment in Ukraine is characterized by a protracted complex emergency and overlapping acute emergencies linked to armed conflict, displacement, restricted access to essential services, food insecurity, and extreme weather conditions. The IRC’s programs respond to both chronic and acute emergency needs.
As part of an effort to swiftly respond to Ukraine’s changing context, IRC Ukraine is planning to establish multisectoral Rapid Response Teams, able to deliver a variety of technical programs (NFI, cash, health and protection) in a mobile, efficient manner to reach people affected by the conflict as soon as possible.
The Psychologist will provide MPHSS service to persons in affected areas. The psychologist will provide PFA, calm clients and support them in accessing needed services through referrals to identified needed services both internally and externally.

Major Responsibilities:
·    As part of the mobile Rapid Response Team, the psychologist is ready to deploy immediately to provide MHPSS support to crisis affected persons. Which entails rapid short to long term deployments in the Kharkiv Oblast.
·       Provide age-appropriate emergency MHPSS interventions namely PFA, provide basic crisis counselling and safe, stabilize psycho emotional condition of people using techniques and safe and proper referrals to needed services  of women, men and children;
·    Understanding symptoms of distress, acute stress, shock and other related  conditions
·       Work in close, daily collaboration with the IRC sectors to ensure people who are affected by crisis, have access to discrete and confidential services via the internal referral procedures.
·       Work in close coordination and collaboration with the MHPSS manager based in Dnipro.
·       Complete monthly activity reports, as agreed with the MHPSS manager.
·       Clear understanding of Crisis psychology and psychological first Aid (PFA). Interest in, well-being of people who was affected by crisis, supporting their healing after the experience of violence, human rights, and gender

Specific Tasks and Deliverables:

 - Lead initial need, operational feasibility and staff capacity assessment in the response and/or as required , identify key strategic opportunities, gaps, risks for consideration.
 - Develop and monitor implementation of response activities that address the Country Program strategic goals to meet emergency needs.
 - Provide overall leadership to the RRT including
Direct management of RRT staff
Work closely with HSS and local au7throties to secure relevant documentation for access to areas
 - Ensure Response is staffed to meet the response needs, guide operational scale-up and initiation of RRT response operations respectively – including organizational security & safety function. Work with RRT coordinator, HSS to develop planning for second and third phase of response as necessary.
 - Coordinate with Supply chain to ensure ordering, transportation for supplies as required.
 - Establish and maintain effective working relationship with other humanitarian actors, government representatives and IRC partners. Coordinate with UN agencies, other agencies, Government and stakeholders involved in the response to ensure synergy and alignment.
 - Ensure response internal reporting requirements are met.
 - Oversee security function, planning and implementation to ensure RRT (and organization) safety and security.
 - Model and encourage active practice of the principles of the “IRC Way – Global Standards for Professional Conduct” throughout the RRT.

Requirements:
 - Language: Bilingual in Ukrainian and Russian and good verbal and writing skills in English
 - Diploma in Psychology
 - Previous experience INGO/NGO is desirable
 - Experience providing direct support in crisis counselling, case management, PFA
 - Excellent communication skills
 - Demonstrated understanding of and ability to maintain confidentiality and respect for clients
 - Positive and professional attitude, including ability to lead and work well in a team setting
 - High degree of flexibility and strong ability to organize work, meet deadlines, maintain composure, prioritize work under pressure, coordinate multiple tasks and maintain attention to detail
 - Computer literate, including Microsoft Word and Excel

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