Project Officer (mental Health And Psychosocial Support (mhpss))

Organizational Context

IOM, established in 1951, is a UN agency focused on migration, promoting humane and orderly migration globally. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a complex humanitarian emergency with significant displacement and limited access to mental health services, IOM DRC supports Third-Country Nationals (TCNs) under its AVRR program. This role contributes to planning, implementing, monitoring, and reporting MHPSS activities within this program, addressing the psychosocial needs of vulnerable migrants and returnees.

Job Purpose

The Project Officer (Mental Health and Psychosocial Support - MHPSS) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo will contribute to the planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting of MHPSS activities integrated within IOM's Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration (AVRR) program. This role is crucial in addressing the significant mental health and psychosocial distress exacerbated by the ongoing humanitarian crisis, including conflict, epidemics, and climate-related shocks. The incumbent will focus on providing specialized MHPSS services to vulnerable migrants and TCNs in transit, ensuring their psychosocial needs are met during their journey and upon return or reintegration. The position operates under the supervision of the MHPSS Officer and the MHPSS Program Coordinator, aligning with IOM's commitment to supporting people on the move and strengthening migration management.

Responsibilities

The MHPSS Project Officer will identify protocols and design operational plans to enhance access to MHPSS services for vulnerable migrants and TCNs, conducting initial screenings and providing specialized MHPSS services, including referrals and case management. The role involves identifying protection needs and referring individuals to relevant units or service providers. Responsibilities include supporting cultural orientation, providing psychosocial support for voluntary return and reintegration, and offering technical guidance for MHPSS initiatives aligned with international guidelines. The officer will develop training materials, conduct training sessions for staff and stakeholders on MHPSS and Psychological First Aid (PFA), and contribute to the contextualization of technical tools. Ensuring MHPSS interventions are life-saving, gender-responsive, and inclusive, while mainstreaming protection, AAP, PSEAH, safeguarding, and data protection is key. The role also involves preparing reports, contributing to project proposals and donor reports, documenting lessons learned, and undertaking field travel for technical support and supervision.

Work Experience

Proven experience in integrating MHPSS within migrant post-assistance and Migrant Reception Centers (MRCs). Experience in clinical supervision and institutional capacity building is an asset. Experience working with vulnerable groups such as migrants, refugees, IDPs, and GBV survivors is required. Experience in facilitating training and developing curricula, along with prior work in international humanitarian organizations or governmental institutions in a multicultural setting, is also beneficial.

Skills

Capacity for effective coordination with implementing partners and institutional counterparts. Ability to ensure adequate information sharing among internal units, cluster partners, and other response actors. Proven interpersonal and teamwork skills. Excellent communication and report-writing abilities. Knowledge of protection principles and IOM policies is advantageous. Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

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