Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Assistant

The Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Assistant will provide individual case management for clients enhancing the strengthen point’s approach and implemented all case management steps with related tools and procedures.

Project HOPE is an international NGO with more than 1,000 engaged employees and volunteers who work around the globe, responding to the world’s most pressing global health challenges. Throughout our 60-year legacy, Project HOPE has treated millions of patients, provided more than $3 billion worth of medicines to local health care organizations around the world helped build hundreds of health programs from the ground up, and responded to humanitarian crises worldwide.

Code of Conduct

It is our shared responsibility and obligation to treat each other with respect, take affirmative steps to prevent matters involving Sexual Exploitation & Abuse and Trafficking in Persons, and to disclose all potential and actual violations of our Code of Conduct, which may include Conflicts of Interest, Fraud, Corruption, Discrimination or Harassment.  Together we can reinforce a culture of respect, integrity, accountability, and transparency.

This role is offered as a short-term consultancy position based in Jamaica and is open to local nationals only. Project HOPE is operating in the Western Parishes, with its main office located in Montego Bay. The consultant must be able to be based in, or relocate to, one of the following parishes: Westmoreland, St. James, Trelawny, Hanover, or St. Elizabeth.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Assistant will provide individual case management for clients enhancing the strengthen point’s approach and implemented all case management steps with related tools and procedures. With provision mental health and psychosocial support services through individual sessions and group activities to clients, caregivers, families and significant others (includes referrals) to enable them to deal with the impact of psychosocial distress on the individual and their family.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function with or without reasonable accommodation.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Coordinate the provision of psychosocial services, psychosocial group activities to clients, caregivers, families, and significant others (includes referrals) to enable them to deal with the impact of psychosocial distress and mental neurological and substance use conditions for the individual, & their families.
• Provide individual case management for clients in accordance with the enhancing strengthen point’s approach, all case management steps with related tools and procedures need to be implemented.
• Conduct needs and risks assessments, care planning, safety plans, case conferencing, referrals, and provide emotional support to clients as appropriate.
• Initiate clients care plan, implement, monitor, and amend individualized services that promote clients’ strengths, advance clients’ wellbeing, and help clients achieve their goals. Plans shall be based on meaningful assessments and shall have specific attainable, measurable objectives.
• Conduct brief PSS interventions including brief counselling, PM+, SH+ and other interventions as needed.
• Conduct group PSS activities, including group PM+, SH+, TRT and other approaches.
• Ensure that all high-risk cases are addressed immediately in coordination with the direct line manager.
• Monitor on-going care plan development with special attention to safety issues.
• Ensure the correct documentation and compilation of case management forms.
• Work closely with the MHPSS Coordinator to perform the community-based activities and pieces of training for community members & front-line workers.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Typically, University degree, preferably in psychology, psychological counseling, Mental Health or any other related field. Equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.
• Master’s degree or post graduate diploma is a plus.
• Typically, a Minimum of 2 years of relevant and progressive experience in implementing clinical work or direct providing for the mental health interventions and case management with a psychological background, in humanitarian or development settings.
• Knowledge in Brief interventions including PM+, SH+, PFA.
• Knowledge in Case management approach, detection and referrals.
• Experience or training in mental health and psychosocial support services preferable.
• Fluency in written and spoken English.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Ability to work independently and responsibly.
• Experience working with children and women.
• Ability to work under pressure and strong time management skills to meet both short-term and long-term objectives.
• Strict adherence to humanitarian principles and standards (IASC), as well as organizational policies including Code of Conduct and Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) and Child safeguarding.
• Experience in facilitating group sessions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Consultants should be able to work in an office setting, communicate effectively, and travel as needed. Assignments may include field or emergency deployments in austere or hardship environments. Typical office noise is minimal, and travel may involve air or other modes of transportation.