The psycho-social support unit (PSU WA) in West Africa is an intersection support unit made up of a unit coordinator, a regional psychologist flying to our areas of intervention and a large network of psychologists and psychiatrists in all West African countries. This unit is responsible for providing psycho-social support and mental health care (well-being) to the national teams of Médecins sans frontières working in West Africa for the Geneva Operational Center, the Paris Operational Center and later the Brussels Operational Center.
Thus, we are looking for a Regional Psychologist from the Psycho-social Support Unit (PSU)-Region
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS
- Ensure the implementation of psychosocial and mental health (well-being) support for staff during field visits and online if necessary
- In collaboration with the PSU Dakar, the Operational Cells based in Dakar and/or the Emergency Unit, participate in the definition of a strategy in order to provide an adequate response to the support needs present in the countries of the West Africa
- Promote and support in the field the practical implementation of a preventive strategy for psychosocial risks, provide psychoeducation to staff on stress and trauma and self-care
- Help the PSU regional coordinator to identify psychosocial risks in the workplace by assessing needs.
- Contribute to the design of policies and guidelines, as well as information materials to increase awareness and promote staff wellbeing
- Provide active psychological support, during or after critical incidents to ensure the continued well-being of staff and that managers and staff receive effective support.
- Organize group support sessions: discussion group, stress management skills, etc.
- Arrange individual sessions on demand – short-term in nature and focused on symptom reduction and coping skills
- Organize training on specific themes if necessary (e.g. loss and bereavement, how to break bad news, etc.)
- Analyze with the teams the psychosocial risks present in the different teams/projects,
- Meet managers and coordinators to get their vision of the situation
- Organize group discussions/workshops with the different teams to identify sources of stress and possible actions to take to reduce them
- Help and support managers to develop their psychosocial responsibilities in order to ensure the duty of care.
- Identify a national network of psychologists and psychiatrists to guide staff members requiring longer-term support
- Represent MSF before third parties on issues related to any psycho-social support, ensuring the good public image of the organization and ensuring that its interests are respected
The psychologist must provide regular progress reports to the PSU coordinator containing :
- Number of individual sessions held and n. some participants
- Number of group sessions carried out and n. some participants
- Report any PFA during a critical incident
- Presentations of all training provided
- Review of recurring problems generating stress in the team
Write a final report including :
- analysis of psychosocial risk factors identified in the mission
- the description of the different activities carried out, support provided and arrangements proposed
- the identification of complementary needs and the proposal of clear and culturally adapted solutions to stress management in the different teams in a medium-term perspective with identification of tasks & responsibilities.
Participate in departmental, departmental, and other internal discussion forums.
HIERARCHICAL AND FUNCTIONAL LINKS
The regional psychologist will be under the hierarchical responsibility of the PSU Coordinator with functional link to the PSU OCP and OCG coordinators
Professional skills
Training and experience
- Required profile: Experienced psychologist or psychiatrist, skills in psychotrauma
- Relevant experience within MSF is a plus (at least 2 years of experience), preferably including emergency interventions. Relevant experience in similar organizations may be taken into consideration.
LANGUAGES:
- Fluency in French and English is mandatory
Required qualities
- Ability to provide psychosocial support to colleagues from diverse cultural backgrounds (cultural sensitivity)
- Knowledge of trauma and stress management
- Empathy, patience, flexibility
- Good communication and collaboration skills
- Ability to work independently and within a multidisciplinary team
- Ability to provide training
- Planning and organizational skills
- Good stress management skills
- Basic computer skills: Word, Excel and Power Point
Job specifics
Status:Â Fixed-term contract of 12 months, with possible extension depending on the evolution of the assigned portfolio.
CONDITIONS
- Position based in Dakar with a minimum of 80% of time in the field and extensive travel to be expected
- Full time job.
- Level 11 of the MSF pay scale
- Practical working conditions in the field comply with MSF directives
Start date:Â December 2023
