Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Specialist (MHPSS)- Nepal
The Mental Health Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Specialist will strengthen the quality of psychological services provided at a locally-run torture treatment center and build the capacity of the center to better meet the MHPSS needs of torture survivors. Activities include assessment, training, clinical supervision, supportive therapy, program development/evaluation and community collaboration.
This position focuses on the capacity development of clinical activities via coaching and mentoring, training and empowering staff to conduct services, without the direct provision of client services by the MHPSS specialist.
About the Project:
Helping Survivors Heal is a capacity development project which supports the mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) work of 12 torture rehabilitation organizations around the world by providing subgrants and technical assistance.
Organization:
The Center for Victims of Torture works toward a future in which torture ceases to exist and its victims have hope for a new life. We are an international nonprofit dedicated to healing survivors of torture. We offer rehabilitation services to those who have been tortured, train partners around the world who can prevent and treat torture, and advocate for human rights and an end to torture. We are headquartered in Minnesota, and we have US offices in Georgia and DC, as well as offices in Africa and the Middle East.
Responsibilities:
Strategic Clinical Support: Collaborate with the partner center staff on developing MHPSS services. Support the development of MHPSS unified approach and effective clinical policies guideline, practices and tools when required.
Clinical Supervision Support: Provide individual and group clincal supervision to local MHPSS practitioners that includes case discussions, live supervision, supervision of supervisors, acting as a role model for partner practitioners, with emphasis on self-care components.
Case Management support: Provide mentoring and modeling in order to improve the case management system of the partner. And/or to MHPSS individual who are in need (activity always in close collaboration with TPO clinical supervisor)
Training: Design and carry out training programs for local MHPSS practitioners, including formal training sessions, mentoring, modeling and supervision. Continually assess development of counselors and adapt training to meet their needs. Build capacity of staff members to design and conduct trainings.
MHPSS Assessment: In collaboration with TPO Nepal and CVT research teams, develop clinically appropriate assessment tools and strategies. Support project team in data collection and assessment of organization’s existing systems and methods of mental health service delivery. Support implementation of Institutional Strengthening Plan (ISP) and the annual work plan, in collaboration with the partner center staff.
Reporting: Write and submit regular reports regarding clinical and training activities. Mentor staff on report writing.
Other Duties: Participate in other department and organization-wide activities, meetings and trainings. Complete administrative responsibilities. Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
Required education, experience, certificates, licenses or registrations
Advanced degree (MPhil, PhD or equivalent) in clinical psychology
At least 4 years of experience providing mental health/psychosocial support service to a variety of target groups including torture and trauma survivors, prisoners, adults, families, and adolescents.
At least 4 years of experience providing training on MHPSS topics for participants with different professional backgrounds and knowledge.
At least 3 years of experience supervising MHPSS practitioners.
Experience working with locally-run NGO partner organizations and negotiating multiple relationships within and between organizations.
Demonstrated experience in developing MHPSS documents (such as guideline, protocol, handbook, SOP, training material, unified approaches, etc.)
Licensed by the relevant Nation professional Council {e.g.: Nepal Health Professional Council (NHPC)}
Preferred education, experience, certificates, licenses or registrations
6 years of experience providing mental health/psychosocial support services.
Experience working with a torture survivor-led organization or an organization working with torture survivors.
Competencies (knowledge, skills and abilities)
Understand of MHPSS and human rights.
Experience working/living Nepal is preferred (Feasible visa processing and approval requirements)
Experience conducting MHPSS needs assessments, practitioners support and competencies evaluation.
Flexibility, adaptability, diplomacy and self-sufficiency to work within a local partner organization.
Training and experience in cross-cultural sensitivity and adaptation.
Demonstrated flexibility to adapt to changing program requirements, client needs and political climate.
Understanding of and extensive experience implementing culturally appropriate mental health interventions, including individual, group and community-based approaches for people who have suffered torture and trauma.
Understanding of and experience developing curricula and providing training for mental health counselors on counseling approaches, sensitization on the effects of trauma and conflict, and designing interventions.
Appreciation and desire for participating in and receiving clinical supervision
Excellent skills in organization, attention to detail and time management (including the ability to meet deadlines)
Working knowledge of Microsoft Office suite (Outlook, Word and Excel)
Fluency in English is a must (oral and writing)
Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communications skills
Flexible to travel to field sites as needed.
Ability to do Nepali typing is preferred
Ability to develop and maintain professional, collaborative relationships
Ability to communicate effectively in writing and verbally
Commitment to engaging in human rights work, and diversity, equity and inclusion efforts within the organization
Excellent skills in organization, attention to detail and time management (including the ability to meet deadlines)
Working knowledge of Microsoft Office suite (Outlook, Word and Excel)
Supervisory Responsibilities: support clinical activities and TPO clinical supervisors (no direct supervisory responsibilities toward beneficiaries are expected).
Work Environment:
Typical office environment
Time spent on the computer is approximately 30%
Time spent in virtual meetings is approximately 30%
Travel: Ability to travel to a variety of locations within the scope of the project and possibly to some regions of Nepal.
To Apply: Submit resume, cover letter and salary expectations by November 20, 2023 to http://cvt.simplicant.com/
CVT is committed to hiring and fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce that leverages the skills and talents of all employees in our organization, regardless of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, veteran status, familial status, genetic information, or any other protected status. We encourage candidates with diverse backgrounds such as these to apply for this position.
