Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Specialist (MHPSS) At Center for Victims of Torture

Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Specialist (MHPSS)

The Center for Victims of Torture is hiring for a Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Specialist (MHPSS) who will provide technical support to develop and strengthen the quality of mental health and psychosocial support services provided by Gonoshasthaya Kendra (GK) to survivors of human rights violations (including torture) and victims of community violence. The MHPSS’s primary function will be to build the capacity of the center to better meet the MHPSS needs of its beneficiaries which includes; assessment, development and implementation of capacity building training, clinical supervision, design and implementation of clinical interventions, supporting workforce development and MHPSS mainstreaming, program evaluation and community collaboration. Additionally, this position will focuse on clinical supervision, training and capacity building MHPSS staff to conduct clinical services and will not provide direct services to beneficiaries.

The position will be based on Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh with travel to rural areas.

About the Project:

Helping Survivors Heal is a capacity development project which supports the mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) work of 12 torture rehabilitation organizations around the world by providing subgrants and technical assistance.

Organization:

The Center for Victims of Torture works toward a future in which torture ceases to exist and its victims have hope for a new life. We are an international nonprofit dedicated to healing survivors of torture. We offer rehabilitation services to those who have been tortured, train partners around the world who can prevent and treat torture, and advocate for human rights and an end to torture. We are headquartered in Minnesota, and we have US offices in Georgia and DC, as well as offices in Africa and the Middle East.

Responsibilities:

• Strategic Clinical Support: Collaborate with the partner center staff on developing MHPSS services. Support the development of MHPSS unified approach and effective clinical policies, guidelines, practices and tools when required.
• Capacity Building Training: Design and carry out capacity building training programs for program MHPSS staff, including formal training sessions, technical support related to implementation and supervision. Continually assess development of MHPSS providers and adapt training to meet their needs. Build capacity MHPSS providers to design and conduct trainings.
• Clinical Supervision: Provide individual and group clinical supervision to local MHPSS practitioners that includes case discussions, live supervision, supervision of supervisors, acting as a role model for partner practitioners, with emphasis on self-care components.
• Reporting: Write and submit regular reports regarding clinical and training activities. Mentor staff on report writing.
• Assessment: In collaboration with the HSH and partner research teams, develop clinically appropriate assessment tools and strategies. Support project team in data collection and assessment of organization’s existing systems and methods of mental health service delivery. Support implementation of the partner organization’s Institutional Strengthening Plan (ISP) and the annual work plan, in collaboration with the partner center staff.
• Other Duties: Participate in other department and organization-wide activities, meetings and trainings. Complete administrative responsibilities. Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Required education, experience, certificates, licenses or registrations

• Advanced degree (Master’s degree, PhD or equivalent) in clinical psychology, clinical social work or clinical counseling
• 5 years of experience providing mental health/psychosocial support services to a variety of target groups including torture and trauma survivors, adults, families, and adolescents.
• 5 years of experience providing training on MHPSS topics for participants with different professional backgrounds and knowledge.
• 5 years of experience supervising MHPSS practitioners
• Experience working with locally-ran NGO organizations and negotiating multiple relationships within and between organizations.

Preferred education, experience, certificates, licenses or registrations

• Experience in working with people affected by humanitarian crisis, refugee and displaced people
• Proven ability to write MHPSS documents (such as guideline, handbook, unified approaches, etc.)

Competencies (knowledge, skills and abilities)

• Understanding of MHPSS and human rights
• Fluency in English and Bangla is required (oral and writing).
• Experience working/living the Bangladesh is preferred
• Understanding of humanitarian coordination mechanism in Bangladesh is an advantage.
• Experience conducting program needs assessments, program development, program evaluation and reporting.
• Flexibility, adaptability, diplomacy and self-sufficiency to work within a local partner organization.
• Training in culture and mental health.
• Demonstrated flexibility to adapt to changing program requirements, client needs and political climate.
• Understanding of and extensive experience implementing culturally appropriate mental health interventions, including individual, group and community-based approaches for people who have suffered torture and trauma.
• Understanding of and experience developing and providing training to MHPSS providers, sensitization on the effects of trauma and designing interventions.
• Appreciation and desire for participating in and receiving clinical supervision.
• Ability to develop and maintain professional, collaborative relationships
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing and verbally
• Commitment to engaging in human rights work, and diversity, equity and inclusion efforts within the organization
• Excellent skills in organization, attention to detail and time management (including the ability to meet deadlines)
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office suite (Outlook, Word and Excel)
• Ability to travel to program implementation sites

Supervisory Responsibilities: Position provides clinical supervision to GK mental health professionals, including psychologists.

Work Environment:

• Typical office environment
• Time spent on the computer is approximately 60%
• Time spent in virtual meetings is approximately 30%

Travel: Ability to travel to a variety of locations within large city, rural and metro areas, surrounding communities, etc.

How to apply

To Apply: Submit resume, cover letter and salary expectations by October 13, 2023 to http://cvt.simplicant.com/

CVT is committed to hiring and fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce that leverages the skills and talents of all employees in our organization, regardless of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, veteran status, familial status, genetic information, or any other protected status. We encourage candidates with diverse backgrounds such as these to apply for this position.