Mental Health Specialist-Diaspora Expert

II. Background Information

About the MIDA FINNSOM III, Health and Education Project

The past decades have seen continued migration from various African countries, causing a “brain drain” that has debilitated various public sector systems across the continent. Through the IOM Migration for Development in Africa (MIDA) programme, Somali diaspora professionals have supported institutional capacity building, service delivery, and policy development of health and education institutions across Somalia since 2015.

The MIDA FINNSOM PHASE III – Health & Education project – contributes to strengthening the Health and Education sectors in Somalia towards achieving specific priorities in the Education Sector Strategic Plan (ESSP) and the Essential Package for Health Services (EPHS), as prioritized and outlined by the government. The project aims to do so by engaging and enhancing the role of qualified Somali diaspora experts willing to temporarily return to their country of origin. Through assignments within key ministries and public institutions (including hospitals and universities), Somali diaspora experts contribute to addressing gaps and enhancing strengths in the planning and delivery of health and education services, particularly in the areas of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) in the health sector, and teacher training and curriculum development in the education sector. Furthermore, a component of the project is devoted toward contributing to the creation of stable and sustainable access to employment opportunities in the health and education sectors for local experts and interns, who will work in close coordination with the Somali diaspora experts – therefore reaping long-terms benefits of knowledge transfer, competencies sharing and skills development.

III. Duties & Responsibilities

The Federal Government of Somalia’s Ministry of Health and Human Services (MoHHS), through the technical assistance provided by the IOM MIDA FINNSOM III Health and education project, seeks to enhance the skills of targeted health professionals across public hospital in Somalia on mental health, particularly in relation to SRHR and sensitizing mental health among health professionals and communities.

Under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the MoHHS, the Mental Health Specialist will carry out the following duties and responsibilities:

1. Provide evidence-based psychotherapy to patients with post-partum depression, family counselling, psycho-social counselling,
2. Administer and interpret psychological tests and assessments to aid in diagnosis and treatment planning.
3. Conduct counselling for families seeking psychosocial counselling in SRHR.
4. Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team, including psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and nurses, to ensure coordinated and holistic care for patients.
5. Provide counselling for patients with history of gender-based violence.
6. Monitor and evaluate clients’ progress regularly, adjusting treatment plans as necessary to ensure optimal outcomes.
7. Develop guidelines and SOP for mental health related health care approach when the need is present
8. Carry out rotational short-term assignments to the different member state health institutions
9. Educate patients and their families about mental health conditions, treatment options, coping strategies, and community resources.
10. Perform tests to obtain information about patients’ medical conditions.
11. Study patients’ history and health assessment.
12. Provide crisis intervention services to individuals experiencing acute psychological distress or suicidal ideation.
13. Develop mental health outreach initiatives, conduct psychoeducation sessions and awareness-raising activities in the targeted communities
14. Provide on-the-job training and mentoring to the health staff.
15. Make ethical decisions related to consent and confidentiality.
16. Participate in team meetings and other meetings and training as management Work with counterparts in the Ministry of Health and other national entities/ institutions to improve capacity in the MHPSS response at national level

IV. Requirements

Besides the specific outputs mentioned in section III, IOM requires the following deliverables to be completed throughout the assignment. These are the standard requirements for all MIDA assignments:

1. Transfer of skills: The main responsibility of the qualified Somali expatriate—which he/she will be measured against—will be to ensure continuous and systematic transfer of knowledge and skills as related to the assignment. It will have to be agreed with the beneficiary institution the staff will benefit from this knowledge.
2. Work plan: A work plan must be developed with the supervisor during the first month of the assignment to provide clear and time-bound activities to successfully implement the outputs of the assignment. This work plan will be shared with IOM as per the stipulated deliverable schedule in the supplementary contract. This work plan can be revised during the assignment to reflect on new developments or changes.
3. Quarterly and Final Reports: Quarterly progress reports will be submitted by the expert to IOM, based on the outlined deliverable schedule in the supplementary contract, following the review and approval of the expert’s supervisor. At the end of the assignment, the participant must also provide a final report covering the entire duration of his/her assignment.
4. Exit interview: An exit interview will be conducted to ensure that a proper exit plan has been put in place to sustain the achievements, upon completion of the assignment.
5. Monthly Timesheets: Timesheets documenting the workdays for each month must be completed and signed by both the MIDA participant and their supervisor.

V. Qualifications

Level of Education:

• Minimum: BSc Psychology; Desired: MSc in Clinical Psychology, Psychiatry

Years of work experience in what area(s):

• Minimum 5 years of working experience as a Mental Health Specialist

Languages needed:

• Fluent in English.
• Fluent in Somali.
• Arabic language will be an advantage.

General Skills / Other Requirements:

• Experience in clinical teaching.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to operate as part of a team and independently.
• Ability to use Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and web-based management systems.
• Ability to identify innovative approaches to problems in a challenging environment.

VI: Subsistence Allowance

The monthly stipend amount will be determined by the MIDA FINNSOM III, Health and Education project, based on degree and years of relevant experience.

How to apply

VII: How to apply

All applications must be sent via email to: [email protected] with the following reference as a subject in your e-mail: APPLICATION – as mentioned in the vacancy announcement.

For further inquiries about the MIDA FINNSOM positions, you can reach out to Hassan Siraji [email protected] and cc [email protected].

To be considered, applicants must provide a cover letter, CV, and the contact information (email and phone number) of two professional references by the closing date of this vacancy. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. The closing date of this application is 28.10.2024, at 12.00 PM EAT.

VII: Security and insurance modalities

Health insurance will be provided by the project. However, experts will be requested to provide a recent medical certificate stating that they are physically fit for the job.

Please note that IOM, according to the contract, will not be responsible for the security of qualified Somali expatriates. The host beneficiary institution will be responsible for the security of the individual.