PROGRAM BACKGROUND:
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.
International Medical Corps has been operating in CAR since 2007, primarily in the north-eastern regions of Vakaga and Haute-Kotto. International Medical Corps remains one of only two international organizations providing health and protection assistance in each of these regions. International Medical Corps has also been supporting Sudanese refugee in Ouaka prefecture in the south of the country since 2010. As of 2014, International Medical Corps has expanded its areas of operation to include Bouca sub-prefecture in the northwest and was chosen as UNHCR’s implementing partner at an additional two refugee camps in the south, as well as an emergency response to the recent crisis in Bangui. IMC addresses the primary health care, nutrition and protection needs. Under this Bekou program, which comes in continuation of a first phase of activities, IMC will support 16 health structures in Vakaga and Haute Kotto and continue its support to primary health care, nutrition, sexual and reproductive health and mental health services. Mental health activities will only be implemented in Haute Kotto.
JOB SUMMARY:
In continuation of a first 18-months implementation phase, this new 18-months project will aim to contribute to the reduction of mortality and morbidity in CAR and to the restoring of the health system in the country by:
- Improving access to quality healthcare for the targeted populations;
- Reinforcing the health system and the health district management teams’ capacities to manage health facilities.
The project will take place in Vakaga and Haute Kotto Prefectures in Central African Republic.
As part of the implementing team, a medical doctor is required to manage the program and also to provide hands-on care and upgrade the skills and knowledge of local counter parts and/or CHWs in the areas of medical and sterilization practices.
Through support of existing Ministry of Health (MoH) health facilities and training of medical staff, IMC offers curative and preventive consultations, maternal and child health (MCH) care, sexual and reproductive health services including skilled birth attendance, family planning (FP), syndromic management of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and services of the Minimum Initial Services Package (MISP) for Reproductive Health (ie. clinical management of rape, HIV prevention, hygienic delivery, emergency obstetric and neonatal care (EmONC)), therapeutic and supplementary nutrition services linked to comprehensive food security activities, gender-based violence (GBV) prevention and response, and mental health support. With the support of a psychiatrist, IMC is providing mental health support to local population and IDPs for the following pathologies: depression, psychosis, epilepsy, drugs and alcohol abuses. The psychiatric will be in charge of all mental health activities integrated in the primary health care package within 6 health facilities. S/he will be in charge of conducting daily consultations and of training identified health care workers as well as ensure on-the-job supervision.
IMC also focuses on building the capacity of local community structures, such as village health committees (VHCs), CHWs and health centers management committees (COGES). CHWs are trained and supported to conduct health education and hygiene promotion activities in their communities to encourage healthy practices and utilization of available health services, and the capability of VHCs and COGES to supervise and manage health facility operations for the benefit of in their communities is enhanced.
The aim of IMC’s work is to strengthen local social services and develop capacity for greater community resilience, while maintaining flexibility and the ability to respond to the continuing instability and accompanying increasing humanitarian needs in the country.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
JOB PURPOSE
Under the overall guidance of the IMC Field manager and the Medical Director, s/he will implement and manage the mental health component of the program, according to the project proposal.
Under the overall guidance of the IMC Field manager and the Medical Director, s/he will implement and manage the mental health component of the program, according to the project proposal.
The mains objectives of this position are:
To ensure that mental health (MH) services are integrated into general health care focusing on the following priority mental health conditions (and excluding the other ones): depression, psychosis, epilepsy, alcohol and drug abuse.
Conduct a situational analysis of the current mental health practices and resources at the health facility and community levels.
Design a MH curriculum and training materials in line with WHO’s mhGAP Intervention Guidelines.
Provide theoretical training and supportive supervision/on the job training for health care providers and community health workers (CHWs) in supported health structures.
Provide mental health services including pharmacological and psychosocial interventions.
Strengthen referral pathways and support CHWs in conducting community outreach and mental health promotion.
REPORTING TO
The psychiatrist reports directly to the field manager with technical support from the medical director.
ESSENTIALS DUTIES
Provide training 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. Adhere to the priority mental health conditions targeted by the program (psychosis, depression, epilepsy, alcohol and drug abuse) and exclude the other ones.
Identify and train local CHWs/volunteers in community outreach, case finding and mental health promotion.
Provide mental health and psychosocial support consultations and services along with identified health staff as needed within the health facilities.
Ensure completion and analysis of pre and post knowledge tests, training evaluations and on the job supervision checklists.
Ensure that WHO essential psychotropic medications are available at health facilities.
Take responsibility for collection and reporting of mental health project data including HMIS reporting and patient outcomes (e.g. functioning, satisfaction with services).
Actively lead or participate in coordination mechanisms (e.g. Health, general coordination, potential MHPSS coordination group) and advocate for principles of IASC MHPSS guidelines.
Assist with hiring of national staff as needed.
Implement the project in line with IMC and global MHPSS standards and guidelines and closely coordinate with IMC Technical Unit Global Mental Health Advisor for development and review of training materials, documentation and reports.
Ensure adequate provision and management psychotropic drugs.
Elaborate weekly, monthly and ad-hoc reports and data collection on mental health. Contribute to donor’s reports/proposals regarding mental health activity.
Conduct a situational analysis of the current mental health practices and resources at the health facility and community levels.
Design a MH curriculum and training materials in line with WHO’s mhGAP Intervention Guidelines.
Provide theoretical training and supportive supervision/on the job training for health care providers and community health workers (CHWs) in supported health structures.
Provide mental health services including pharmacological and psychosocial interventions.
Strengthen referral pathways and support CHWs in conducting community outreach and mental health promotion.
REPORTING TO
The psychiatrist reports directly to the field manager with technical support from the medical director.
ESSENTIALS DUTIES
Provide training 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. Adhere to the priority mental health conditions targeted by the program (psychosis, depression, epilepsy, alcohol and drug abuse) and exclude the other ones.
Identify and train local CHWs/volunteers in community outreach, case finding and mental health promotion.
Provide mental health and psychosocial support consultations and services along with identified health staff as needed within the health facilities.
Ensure completion and analysis of pre and post knowledge tests, training evaluations and on the job supervision checklists.
Ensure that WHO essential psychotropic medications are available at health facilities.
Take responsibility for collection and reporting of mental health project data including HMIS reporting and patient outcomes (e.g. functioning, satisfaction with services).
Actively lead or participate in coordination mechanisms (e.g. Health, general coordination, potential MHPSS coordination group) and advocate for principles of IASC MHPSS guidelines.
Assist with hiring of national staff as needed.
Implement the project in line with IMC and global MHPSS standards and guidelines and closely coordinate with IMC Technical Unit Global Mental Health Advisor for development and review of training materials, documentation and reports.
Ensure adequate provision and management psychotropic drugs.
Elaborate weekly, monthly and ad-hoc reports and data collection on mental health. Contribute to donor’s reports/proposals regarding mental health activity.