CHARITY JOBS IN AFRICA

Organization: International Medical Corps
Country: Cameroon
Closing date: 01 Nov 2014

Essential Job Duties/Scope of Work:International Medical Corps is a global, humanitarian, nonprofit organization dedicated to saving lives and relieving suffering through health care training and relief and development programs.
Established in 1984 by volunteer doctors and nurses, International Medical Corps is a private, voluntary, nonpolitical, nonsectarian organization. Its mission is to improve the quality of life through health interventions and related activities that build local capacity in underserved communities worldwide. By offering training and health care to local populations and medical assistance to people at highest risk, and with the flexibility to respond rapidly to emergency situations, International Medical Corps rehabilitates devastated health care systems and helps bring them back to self-reliance.
PROGRAM SUMMARY:
International Medical Corps began working in Cameroon in 2008 in response to an influx of refugees from Central African Republic (CAR). We provide health, nutrition, HIV/ AIDS, and sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) programs in Djohong and Meiganga, districts in the Adamaoua region of Cameroon. In response to cholera outbreaks in the Far North region of the country, we have also been implementing water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) programs. Nutrition programs are also implemented in the Far North. In the last year, International Medical Corps has expanded its operations to address the new influx of CAR and Nigerian refugees in Adamaoua, East and the Far North Region.
PROGRAM BACKGROUND:
In response to the influx of refugees from CAR and Nigeria, International Medical Corps aims to reduce excessive maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality and support mental health services through support gaps in the overall health system to prevent maternal and neonatal mortality; and integrate the provision of mental health (MH) services into general health care.
In response to the influx of refugees from Central African Republic and Nigeria, IMC aims to support mental health services through the following activities:
• Integrate the provision of mental health (MH) services into general health care
• Conduct situational analysis of current mental health practices and resources at the health facility and community levels.
• Design of MH curriculum and materials in line with WHO mhGAP Intervention Guidelines and select MH integration sites and trainees
• Provide theoretical training and supervision for health care providers and community health workers
• Provide mental health services including pharmacological and psychosocial interventions
• Strengthen referral pathways and conduct community outreach and mental health promotion
JOB SUMMARY:
The Mental Health Specialist is required to train PHC staff on mental health service delivery per WHO MHGAP Intervention Guidelines in selected area.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Conduct situational analysis of current mental health practices and resources at the health facility and community levels.
2. Design of MH curriculum and materials in line with WHO mhGAP Intervention Guidelines
3. Select MH integration sites and trainees
4. Provide training and supervision in the identification and management of priority mental health conditions to general health staff in line with WHO mhGAP Intervention Guidelines (WHO mhGAP-IG) and in coordination with national authorities and the IMC Technical Unit.
5. Identify and train local CHWs/volunteers for training in community outreach, case finding and mental health promotion
6. Ensure completion and analysis of pre post knowledge tests and on the job supervision checklists as well as IMC mental health PHC integration checklists
7. Provide mental health services including pharmacological and psychosocial interventions along with health staff
8. Strengthen referral pathways and conduct community outreach and mental health promotion
9. Ensure that WHO essential psychotropic medications are available at health facilities
10. Take responsibility for collection and reporting of mental health project data including HMIS reporting and patient outcomes (e.g. functioning, satisfaction with services)
11. Actively lead or participate in coordination mechanisms (e.g. Health, general coordination, potential MHPSS coordination group) and advocate for principles of IASC MHPSS guidelines
12. Assist with hiring of national staff as needed
13. Implement the project in line with IMC and global MHPSS standards and guidelines and closely coordinate with IMCs Technical Unit Global Mental Health Advisor for development and review of training materials, documentation and reports. Qualifications:Requirements:
14. Psychiatrist with 3+ years experience working on MHPSS programs, preferably in humanitarian settings
15. Training and supervision experience required
16. Strong organizational and supervisory skills
17. Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work within different cultural environments
18. Ability to work in difficult environment under very basic living conditions (refugee camp setting)
19. Ability to work within a team structure or in isolation, flexible, and can cope with stressful workloads and working with limited resources
    Language Skills:
    • Ability to read, write, analyze and interpret, technical and non-technical in the English language
    • Ability to effectively present information and respond appropriately to questions.
    • Ability to speak and write in French required
    • Arabic desired.

How to apply:

How to apply:

To officially begin the application process, qualified candidates please go to our career page http://careers.internationalmedicalcorps.org/careers.aspx , noting where you noticed the position you are applying for and complete the online employment application form.