National MHPSS Officer - Neuropsychiatre
Organizational Context
The International Organization for Migration (IOM), founded in 1951, is a leading intergovernmental organization dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration. It collaborates closely with governmental, intergovernmental, and non-governmental partners, providing services and advice, including humanitarian aid to displaced populations and host communities. The organization fosters a respectful, inclusive, and supportive work environment.
Job Purpose
The National MHPSS Officer - Neuropsychiatrist will support the implementation of activities related to Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration (AVR) in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This role involves providing specialized mental health and psychosocial support services to migrants, including initial screenings, consultations, and direct care for those with severe mental health conditions. The position also includes counseling for migrants considering voluntary return, contributing to travel fitness assessments, and coordinating emergency preparedness for public health crises affecting the AVR and reintegration process. A key aspect is capacity building for medical and paramedical staff in mental health.
Responsibilities
Conduct initial mental health screenings and provide neuropsychiatric consultations and care to migrants in reception centers. Ensure specialized MHPSS service delivery, including referrals and direct care for migrants with severe mental health needs, adhering to WHO QualityRights standards. Offer individual and group counseling to support migrants' return decisions. Prepare psychiatric expert opinions for travel fitness assessments and identify needs for medical/psychological escorts. Refer individuals with severe mental disorders to specialized services. Manage MHPSS preparedness and response for public health emergencies within the AVR and reintegration program. Strengthen the capacity of medical and paramedical staff through training on psychosocial well-being, neuropsychiatry, psychotherapy, and psychotropic medication use. Submit timely narrative, statistical, and technical reports on MHPSS activities. Systematically document and report on referred cases and their follow-up.
Work Experience
Requires professional experience in multi-level MHPSS provision, including community mobilization, and working with vulnerable migrants. Experience in a migration context, particularly voluntary return and reintegration, is desirable. Clinical supervision and capacity building of health, mental health, and social work professionals is also desirable.
Skills
Ability to work effectively under pressure in a rapidly evolving environment. Teamwork skills. Aptitude for applying specialized technical knowledge to achieve objectives. Effective coordination with implementing partners and local authorities. Proficiency in Microsoft Office. In-depth knowledge of project management.