Mental Health Psychologist at Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA)

The Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA) is an independent humanitarian medical NGO that was created in 2009 by professionals of humanitarian medicine. ALIMA’s mission is to provide medical care in emergency situations or medical catastrophes.

We are recruiting to fill the position of:

Job Title: Mental Health Psychologist

Location: Yobe, Nigeria
Contract term: Fixed Term Contract

Purpose in the Organisation

• Provide specialized services: individual and group session psychological support for people with minor/moderate mental and/or emotional disorders in the different areas of intervention.
• Provide technical support to Health staff to implement psychosocial support (PSS) activities for children and adults.
• Cultivate the relationship with the MoH stakeholders in order to implement efficiently and ensure the goals as well as to improve targeted population’s health conditions and humanitarian situation.
• Work in close collaboration with technical staff (Project Coordinator, Medical Coordinator, MedRef, MHPSS Specialist) for the development of the project’s overall MHPSS component. Reviewing and developing the technical materials, tools, guidelines and documents, and coordinating and ensuring the implementation of all MHPSS.
• The Psychologist is responsible for providing psychotherapy services to beneficiaries in need of MHPSS services to ensure quality of mental health and psycho-social services (MHPSS) in the fields,
• The psychologist conduct group sensitization on MHPSS topics

Responsibility / Main Activities

• Conduct interviews and focus groups on camp Alima is present on Health facilities in collaboration with the team, Heath promoter, community Health worker, nurses
• Assist cases with identified mental or emotional disorders referred internally or externally and SGBV
• Conduct case-by-case needs assessments for the diagnosis of psychological disorders and identification of treatment and therapy
• Carry out evaluation of mental health needs of patients/beneficiaries and establishing a diagnosis and a plan of treatment following WHO MHGAP approach and ALIMA case management protocols. Referring cases to other health professionals whenever necessary, in order to provide the most appropriate treatment and improve the patient's condition
• Carry out all tasks respecting key protection principles, including but not limited to: do no harm, non-discrimination, confidentiality, accountability and need-to-know principles
• Establish and maintain collaborative relations with relevant partners and other project stakeholders working in the project areas
• Proactively participate in relevant coordination meetings, as requested by the coordination
• participates in multidisciplinary meetings/staff and advises on the clinical situation of patients
• Ensures the referral of complex cases and the follow-up of the care of these situations
• Perform any other duty as assigned by the organization through the head of the Medical Department or Project Coordinator.
• Providing psychological support and psychotherapy sessions (individual, family, group) to beneficiaries in need according to ALIMA, MHGAP and other standards protocols in order to improve their psycho-social and mental health conditions
• Document progress on cases, maintaining strict protocols for confidentiality and consent, and ensure that data protection protocols are respected
• Assisting and training staff members (Nutrition and health) and resourceful people whenever necessary in order to enhance the scope of MHPSS activities. Facilitate trainings for internal staffs and communities on psychosocial first aid (PFA)
• Strengthen community based psychosocial support and peer support group activities standard protocols and procedures set in order to provide the most appropriate management.
• Provide coaching and support to the field staff in the implementation of structured MHPSS activities

Qualifications, Experience and Skills
Educational:

• University Degree in Mental Health (Psychologist)
• Minimum 5 years of relevant work experience, including at least one year in NGO providing psychotherapy services
• High degree of skill in psychological assessment and evaluation.
• Experience working with or conducting research about refugee and/or displaced populations and/or demonstration of the capacity to do so.

Required Skills:

• Computer literacy (Word, Excel, outlook)
• Analytical and reporting skills
• Respect and adherence to protection principles
• Capacity to work under pressure, flexibility
• Ability to work in close collaboration with MOH staff.
• Can work and create teamwork, flexible, and committed to the assigned position 
• Interest in and commitment to ALIMA’s activities, enthusiasm to represent the organization to others, to travel to different regions of Nigeria
• Languages: Fluency in English, Kanuri, Hausa and Fulbe (written and spoken) and excellent writing skills
• Based in Yobe State is an asset.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Have experience of worked in difficult/insecurity area 
• Training skills
• Well organized with good negotiation and communication skill
• Ability to work as part of a team, a part of multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary team, in emergency and under pressure, to manage stress easily and result oriented

Competencies:

• Commitment.
• Flexibility.
• Stress Management.
• Results.
• Teamwork.
• Service.

Salary

• National Pay Scale Level 07

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should send their CV, Cover Letter and Credentials to: [email protected] with the "MENTAL H PSYCHOLOGIST YOBE" as the subject of the email.
Or
Candidates should submit their Application with their CV, Cover Letter and Credentials at: ALIMA BASE GASHUA YOBE STATE, indicating their name, phone number and position at the back of the envelop.

Note:

• Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply as applications shall be processed on an ongoing bases.
• This job profile is not exhaustive, as it could change from time to time according to the needs of the mission.
• Also know that ALIMA INGO is an equal employment opportunity provider. ALIMA INGO would not in any way ask for any form kind of favor from potential applicants

Application Deadline 5th June, 2021.