Psychiatrist

Job Overview/Summary:

The roving psychiatrist is responsible for the pharmacological part of the mental health service that is provided in the IRC health facilities in the NES, though providing specialized MH consultations and treatment (diagnosis and following up) for the beneficiaries in all IRC supported health facilities. The roving psychiatrist will provide technical oversight of the clinical and medical management of mental health cases, to support programs offered inside Syria; additionally, he will review existing systems and structures within the IRC’s MHPSS services and align procedures and efforts across technical areas, using the WHO/ UNHCR mental health gap action program (mhGAP) training and operational guidelines.

The roving psychiatrist will also provide technical support when needed to the Child Protection (CP), Women’s Protection and Empowerment (WPE) and Protection Rule of Law Programming (PRoL) in terms of close coordination and collaboration through the Senior Mental Health officers to ensure appropriate referral and follow up system is in place. S/He will develop standard operating procedures for the provision of psychosocial support and psychiatric care. MHP services will be specific to the needs of girls, boys, women, and men, and will be informed by an understanding of cultural norms around mental health, gender roles, violence against women and girls, and the neglect, exploitation and abuse of children and other vulnerable refugee groups.

Responsibilities:

Under supervision of MHPSS Manager and extended supervision of MHPSS technical advisor, the Roving Psychiatrist will undertake following responsibilities: 

• Provide support for implementation of mhGAP programs utilizing WHO’s supervision and operational guidelines.
• Prescribe medications in line with WHO/UNHCR mhGAP Intervention Guidelines. Suggest developed medications.
• Provide direct training, supportive supervision and monitoring and evaluation assistance to the Mental Health counsellors providing psychological interventions, working inside the IRC supported health facilities.
• Participate training on the management of mental health cases to MHPSS and Health GPs staff in line with WHO/UNHCR mhGAP Intervention Guidelines (IG) 2.0.
• Develop a system for follow up with IRC mhGAP trained GPs to monitor the quality of services delivered and oversee the coordination with PHCC staff in the designated locations.
• Provide specialized MH consultations and treatment (diagnosis and following up) for the beneficiaries in all IRC supported health facilities in.
• Aware the MHPSS team, General Practitioners (GPs), beneficiaries with side effects of prescribed medications.
• Participate the MHPSS Counselors in developing intervention care plans.
• Provision of MHPSS technical support to mental health, community health teams and protection staff as well as IRC partner organizations.
• Participate training on the identification and management of priority mental health cases to general health and protection staff in line with WHO/UNHCR mhGAP Intervention Guidelines (IG) 2.0.
• Participate in Peer Support sessions for the MHPSS field staff in coordination with the MHPSS Sr. Officer and the MHPSS Manager.
• Conduct/participate in mental health and psychosocial needs assessment among the affected populations. This will include assessments consistent with IASC guidelines and MHPSS WHO assessment toolkit, at different stages of program planning and implementation.
• Support response to the identified needs by providing training for specific psychosocial group and individual level interventions/ activities (adapted and appropriate to each one’s specific needs and capacities).
• Making referrals to other specialist services, when required.
• Support the timely information sharing regarding challenges and needs at the field level.
• Participate the procurement plan sessions for the required psychotropic medications, in coordination with the MHPSS Manager and the MHPSS Sr. Officer.
• Conduct initial patient evaluations patients by interviewing patient, family, and other persons; conducting physical examinations; observing behaviors; reviewing medical history and related documents; selecting, administering, and interpreting psychological tests; ordering laboratory tests and evaluating results.
• Develops treatment plans by determining nature and extent of cognitive, emotional, developmental, social, and behavioral disorders, establishing treatment goals and methodologies.
• Explain treatment plans to patients and their parents or guardians and provide familial support throughout treatment program.
• Treats patients by utilizing psychotherapeutic methods and medications; discussing progress toward goals with patients; providing instructions; monitoring effect of medications; supervising staff provision of services.
• Maintains interdisciplinary treatment by reviewing treatment plans and progress; consulting and collaborating with primary care physicians, mental health therapists, nurses, and other health care providers.
• Assures quality and safe service for patients and staff by enforcing policies, procedures, standards and adherence to treatment protocols and guidelines.

• Remaining available for emergency consultations.
• Maintains historical records by documenting symptoms, medications, and treatment events. writing summaries.
• Updates job knowledge by participating in continuing medical educational opportunities; reading professional publications; maintaining personal networks; participating in professional organizations.

• Ensure psychotropic drugs are kept in safe and lockable place at the clinics and develop SOP for dispensing of drugs.
• Support the MHPSS Manager to Develop a functional referral system to ensure prompt care; Work closely with the MHPSS Manager, Health Coordinator and Integrated Protection Coordinator and strive for ultimate integration of MHPSS services into the Primary Health Care Services.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in human medicine, minor in Psychiatry with psychotherapy, clinical and/or counselling psychology work experience.
• Minimum of (3) years of relevant work experience in psychiatry in clinical and/or direct practice settings.
• Knowledgeable in and has used the IASC MHPSS guidelines and best practices as part of their previous work experience.

• Strong experience in clinical supervision, training and or coaching others.

• Experience in assessment, program design, evaluation and technical training and supervision using WHO’s mental health gap action program (mhGAP).

• Extensive experience designing and rolling our trainings to diverse audiences.
• Experience working with partners to implement programming.
• Solid understanding of case management and survivor-centered care in humanitarian settings.
• Strong experience in training with good facilitation skills and ability to organize and implement trainings on sensitive topics.

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

• Demonstrated organizational, management and reporting skills.

• Strong communication skills, with ability to communicate effectively with different types of people.
• Demonstrated ability to liaise with partner organizations, including representation and liaison with external parties.
• Interpersonal qualities: Works well in teams and promotes teamwork, flexible and able to handle pressure and conflict well in a calm and constructive manner.
• Must be capable of applying their skills and knowledge in a range of capacities, including direct implementation, advisory functions, training and the transfer of technical knowledge and case management skills to others.
• Ability to work under pressure with competing priorities and deadlines.
• Strong problem-solving skills with ability to be flexible, adaptable, and creative in a challenging and fast-moving multicultural environment.
• Full professional competency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.

Language/Travel:

High standards written and spoken English and Arabic are required.

Travel: 100% in the field sites (all the IRC PHCCs), as well as attending all workshops and meetings, if required.

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports direct to:MHPSS Manager.

Position Reports indirect to: Health Coordinator, and MHPSS Technical Specialist.

Applications will be received till Saturday Sep. 7th ,2024 

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

Returning National Candidates: We strongly encourage national or returning national candidates to apply for this position. If you are a citizen of the Country in which this position is based and are currently located outside of your home country and possess over two years of international work experience, the Middle East Region has introduced an attractive remuneration package. The package includes competitive compensation, return flight to post, shipping allowance, temporary housing and a relocation allowance. Certain restrictions may apply. IRC strives to attract, motivate and retain qualified national staff in our programs.

Accountability to Clients: IRC staff must adhere to the commitment of contributing to the sustainability and development of its (CR) Client Responsiveness Mechanisms, preserving the culture of prioritizing the needs of our clients and affected communities by systematically listening to their perspectives and using their feedback to make programmatic decisions and give them greater influence over program design and delivery.

Gender Equality: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances.

Diversity and Inclusion: at IRC MENA, we are passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. Organizations that are diverse in age, gender identity, race, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability, ethnicity, nationality, and perspective are validated to be better organizations. More importantly, creating a safe workspace environment where everyone, from any background, can do their best is the right thing to do. So, bring your whole self to work.

IRC is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, respectful and safe work environment where all persons are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. In keeping with our core values of Integrity, Service, Accountability and Equality, IRC strives to maintain a work environment built on mutual respect in which all individuals treat each other professionally, and free of bias, prejudice, and harassment. IRC expressly prohibits and will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or bullying of IRC Persons in any work setting. All IRC staff, wherever they are located, are accountable for creating an environment free of discrimination, harassment, bullying, and retaliation.