Community Health Worker – Shahat

Background/IRC Summary:
Founded in
1933, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst
humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. The
IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to
flee from war or disaster. At work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S.
cities, we restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and
struggling to endure. The IRC leads the way from harm to home.

The IRC is working
in Libya since August 2016, targeting the most vulnerable non-displaced, IDPs,
refugees and migrants in hard-to-reach areas. According to assessments, healthcare
is considered the priority need in Libya, most urgently in terms of quality
health staff, medicines and supplies. There are significant gaps in the
response, according to Libya’s Ministry of Health (MoH), the Libyan Red
Crescent, UN agencies, and international NGOs. IRC’s team in Libya has the
specific goal of reaching those in the hardest hit areas to beneficiaries of
all ages and gender, both Libyans and third-country nationals. The health
activities will be focused on supporting essential primary health care.

Storm Daniels
hit East Libya in September 2023, causing widespread devastation and
displacement of thousands of people. The storm caused heavy rainfall, strong
winds, and flooding, has led to mass destruction and loss of lives. The impact
of the storm on mental health has been significant, with many residents
experiencing trauma, anxiety, and stress due to the loss of their homes and
livelihoods. The lack of access to basic services and resources has also
exacerbated mental health issues in the affected communities. Humanitarian
organizations are working to provide support and assistance to those affected
by the storm, including mental health services and psychosocial support.

Major
Responsibilities:
Under the supervision of Senior Community Health Officer, the Community Health Worker
is responsible for:

• Conduct both needs assessments and baseline assessments in the communities in collaboration with the other team.
• Develop strong relationships with community leaders and other stakeholders operating in the districts, provide updates of activities and develop areas of collaboration to address programmatic gaps and strengthen program impact.
• Assist the medical team and other staff with other activities and support as necessary.
• Perform regular mental health education sessions for beneficiaries and disseminate mental health materials to beneficiaries as necessary.
• Delivering mental health information using culturally appropriate terms and concepts.
• Linking people to mental health care/social service resources.
• Actively participate in activity planning of community health activities and attend scheduled program meetings.
• Ensures patient confidentiality.
• Support the health team in translation to/from English language.
• Ensure quality of services, accurate data collection and tracking of health promotion activities and client satisfaction surveys and support the development of household surveys and questionnaires for knowledge, attitude, practice surveys in collaboration with the team.
• Support the assessment of health awareness, mental health issues, and gaps in health services provided at community level. Also, assess beneficiaries’ perceptions toward healthcare services provided by mobile health teams.
• Compile data and submit weekly technical reports to line supervisors as requested.

  Staff Management:
  The Community Health Worker will not be line
  managing any internal staff. 

  Professional
  Standards:
  The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values
  and principles outlined in the IRC Way – Standards for Professional
  Conduct.  These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability.  In
  accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on
  Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti
  Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

  Key Working Relationships:
  Position Reports to:  Senior Community Health Officer.

  Working Environment:  This position
  will be based in storm affected areas in Al Bayda and Shahat municipalities.
  

Minimum Qualifications:

Job Requirements:

• Relevant experience on health like nurse or paramedics, or proven knowledge on basic public health topics.
• Experience in Mental Health activities is an advantage.
• Able to read and write,
• Computer literate with experience in using Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and Power Point) is an advantage.
• Reside/From the local community H/she will be serving.
• Acceptance by the community,
• Existing active CHW, Volunteer or community leaders
• Has previous volunteering experience.
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment with daily travel to different field sites between Al Bayda and Shahat as required).
• Effective team player with public interest driven orientation.
• Demonstrates a high degree of self-motivation.
• Has a good network targeting the communities.
• Able to speak in Arabic (English and other languages desirable)
• Has good communication skills and the capacity to facilitate presentations, meetings, and discussions concerning mental health and social issues.
• Able to provide assistance to all individuals in need and nationalities.