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Job Title:   Clinical Psychologist

Organisation: ALIGHT

Duty Station:  Uganda

About US:

ALIGHT, formerly the American Refugee Committee (ARC), is an international nonprofit, nonsectarian organization that has provided humanitarian assistance and training to millions of beneficiaries over the last 40 years. In 2011, Alight helped nearly 2.5 million people get essential services to regain their health and take back control of their lives. Alight works with its partners and constituencies to provide opportunities and expertise to communities of refugees and internally displaced persons in seven countries in Africa, Asia and Europe, including Iraq, Kosovo, and in the Darfur region of Sudan and is currently providing for emergency relief and recovery in Haiti. Alight provides shelter, clean water and sanitation, health care, skills training, microcredit education, protection to help survivors of war and natural disasters to rebuild their lives with dignity, health care, security and self-sufficiency.

Job Summary:  Reporting directly to the Protection Manager, the Clinical Psychologist will entirely be responsible for the administration of Community Based mental health services and capacity building of general health workers in mental health care. He / she will also be carrying out assessments for mental health challenges, running therapy groups, and community education on mental health. The incumbent will be actively coordinating ALIGHT MHPSS Services within Kyaka II refugee settlement and reporting on mental health services, whilst providing technical backstopping to Psychosocial Counsellor and staff from partner organizations.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide detailed and informative assessments for mental health difficulties at individual, family and group levels.
• Take lead in ensuring quality case management procedures for MHPSS cases using psychometric tests, interviews and methods that provide anecdotal evidence.
• Provide leadership and mentorship to the psychosocial counselors and entire MHPSS team at field level.
• Work as part of a multidisciplinary team alongside the entire protection team in the settlement and that specific to ALIGHT.
• Develop and monitor appropriate treatment programs, including therapy, counselling or advice, in collaboration with other sectors such as protection.
• Spear head the development of IEC materials on MHPSS
• Lead the psychosocial team on the standardization of major operating procedures and ensure adherence to the same.
• Provide technical backstopping to GBV and MHPSS workers in mental health aspects through case discussions, in-house trainings and feedback sessions.
• Take lead in ensuring proper data in relation to MHPSS is collected, evaluated and reported to offer a significant representation by creating and updating/maintaining a database on the same.
• Ensure that client details are properly documented and safely stored under key and lock
• Develop a monitoring and evaluation mechanism for MHPSS to ensure quality compliance.
• Spearhead the integration of MHPSS in sectors such as child protection, WASH, GBV, Health, Community services and legal.
• Invest in creation, support and maintenance of both therapy and support groups in the community whilst adhering to the 10 week treatment protocol.
• Ensure the development of a standardized training tool on Psychological First Aid (PFA) for Implementing partners and grass root structures including ALIGHT protection and MHPSS staff.
• Refer clients to respective specialists for consultation and appropriate intervention by way of proper documentation and follow up.
• Participate in designing community-based engagements for awareness, sensitization and dialoguing on MHPPSS issues.
• Ensure participation in the development and timely submission of weekly, monthly and quarterly reports.
• Work as part of a Multi-disciplinary team to offer comprehensive support to PoCs in the settlement by exploiting opportunities for advocacy.
• Engage in continuous career refreshment and keep abreast with current affairs in MHPSS. Follow ALIGHT`s Continuous Learning Program at field level each week.
• Represent ALIGHT at different foras as deemed necessary including protection and Coordination meetings.
• Adhere to the ethical and professional code of conduct governing Clinical Psychologists.
• Assist in designing the MHPSS prevention and response strategy for the ALIGHT Uganda program and support its implementation.
• In collaboration with other sectors/partners, assist in conducting needs assessments, identifying new program opportunities and supporting emergency projects
• Assist with the coordination and the development of new proposals and initiatives
• Maintain ongoing relations with MHPSS and other sector actors such as donors, bilateral and multilateral coordination bodies, research organizations and academics, and relevant government institutions.
• Ensure timely identification of personal and occupational stressors and design a self-care strategy with consideration for external support as need arises.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

• The applicant must hold a Bachelor’s degree in Clinical Psychology.
• A Masters Degree is an added advantage.
• Three years of experience in diagnosis and treating mental, emotional and behavioral conditions.
• Previous experience in trauma-based therapy specifically Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Narrative Exposure Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing, Acceptance & Commitment Therapy, Expressive arts and sand tray therapy.
• Knowledge and experience in Gender Based Violence case management is essential.
• A strong understanding of the profession and the role of a clinical psychologist in Mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) and its dynamics in humanitarian settings.
• Prior experience working at the community level, with thorough understanding of how to precisely communicate MHPSS issues at local level with cultural considerations.
• Strong leadership skills yet with ability to work individually and within a team.
• Ability to speak
• Proficiency in MS computer packages, word, excel, PowerPoint and access
• Good presentation/facilitation skills
• Credible and empathetic persona.
• Critical and analytical skills.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to conduct accurate assessments and offer evidence based psycho-education
• Willingness to travel throughout communities and work in a participatory manner with a variety of populations.
• Strong knowledge of the local population and language.
• Good listener, open-minded, non-judgmental, and sensitive to the needs and situation of GBV survivors and able to respect the survivors’ right to confidentiality.
• Ability to handle stressful working conditions with limited supervision.
• Fluency in Swahili and ability to ride with a valid license (Class A) is an added advantage.

How to Apply:

All interested and qualified candidates should apply online at the link below

Click Here

Deadline: 23^rd December 2021

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