CALL FOR APPLICATIONS

INTRODUCTION

Medical humanitarian non-governmental organization (NGO) governed by Swiss law; Doctors of the World Switzerland (MdM-CH) works in the field to restore sustainable access to healthcare for excluded populations. It has been present in Cameroon since 2013 and implements several projects, around three (03) main thematic axes: Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, Prevention and Management of Violence and Paediatric Palliative Care.

Since March 2023, MdM-CH has been implementing the third phase of a three (3) year project entitled "Strengthening the protection of vulnerable populations in the North-West and West regions of Cameroon", which aims to contribute to the reduction of violence and the optimization of victims' access to integrated care services in the North-West and West regions of Cameroon among internally displaced persons and vulnerable individuals of the host communities. To this end and in line with MdM-CH's interventions, this project is part of a dynamic that combines institutional anchoring to facilitate the development of service provision and community anchoring to improve demand with the aim of reducing exclusion and moving towards universal access to care. The effects of MdM-CH’s action on development are in line with the United Nations MDGs 3, 5 and 16.

To alleviate barriers to access to care for victims of GBV, the project provides free integrated care for victims in specialised units in partner hospitals in the North-West region (Bamenda and Santa) and the West region (Bafoussam and Mbouda), with a particular focus on men and boys who are victims of violence.  It also includes a communication strategy on violence against boys and men, to bring about a paradigm shift and promote access to available services.  

Within the framework of the current project, MdM-CH is carrying out activities in 10 partner primary schools (6 in Mbouda and 4 in Bamenda) to ensure that schools are safe and protective environments. This is guaranteed through the development and implementation of actions to eliminate violence in the school milieu.  

In Bamenda and Bafoussam, a network of community relay agents, made up of people with a high level of recognition and acceptance in their different communities, makes up one of the operational pillars of the community action of the current project, which includes: awareness-raising, community detection and referral of cases of GBV to the care system and follow-up of cases of violence. Once a week, the actions of these community relay agents are reinforced in Bamenda, Bafoussam and Santa, by visits from the project’s 3 mobile clinic multidisciplinary teams offering free psychological counselling sessions to the local population, as well as free mobile medical consultations to ensure that certain cases of violence (less obvious to community relay agents) are detected and, if necessary, initial life-saving care is provided.

As part of the implementation of the third phase of this project and with the necessity to provide and ensure access to quality psychological care to victims of GBV, MdM-CH is looking for a Mental Health Supervisor to support the implementation of project activities in the towns of Bamenda, Bafoussam, Mbouda and Santa.

1. JOB DESCRIPTION:

Placed under the responsibility of the Project Manager within a project team of seven people, the Mental Health Supervisor will ensure access to integrated support services (medical, psychosocial and judicial services) for victims of GBV; support the implementation of comprehensive case management services as well as supervise community interventions earmarked within the framework of the project.  

More specifically, the main responsibilities/tasks of this person are:

MAIN GOALS

·        Ensure that identified victims of GBV are provided with quality integrated support services according to the survivor-centred approach and in line with GBV guiding principles.

·        Supervise the activities of the Integrated Support Units of the Bamenda and the Bafoussam Regional Hospitals as well as the referral units of the Mbouda and Santa District Hospitals.

·        Supervise and coordinate the activities of the Mobile Clinic and the networks of community relay agents.

·        Support the Project Manager in the moderation of various capacity-building activities for project teams, technical partners and community-based organisations on psychosocial care.

·        Use work resources (financial, material, logistical) in accordance with MdM-CH procedures.

Key duties and responsibilities

·        Provide technical expertise to the staff of the Integrated Support Unit of the Bamenda and Bafoussam Regional Hospitals as well as the referral units of the Mbouda and Santa District Hospitals on the clinical assessment of persons at risk of GBV and the provision of holistic care to survivors of GBV according to the survivor-centred approach and in line with GBV guiding principles.

·        Ensure interinstitutional management of GBV cases by establishing and maintaining effective links with other GBV service providers as well as effective referral to relevant actors as needed.

·        Analyse and review survivor data on a continuous basis to understand their needs and for care plan review.

·        Identify evidence based psychological interventions to be included in MdM-CH’s projects.

·        Participate in the planning, the organisation and moderation of capacity building sessions targeting project teams, partners, government structures, mobile clinic teams and community relay agents by ensuring proper documentation of all trainings and analysis of pre and post knowledge tests.

·        Provide technical support for MdM-CH project teams on psychosocial management of victims of GBV.

·        Evaluate the efficacy of treatment and ensure that it is timely tweaked to meet the evolving needs of survivors.

·        Participate in the development and elaboration of project proposals.

·        Contribute to clinical discussions including debriefing meetings.

·        Attend and actively participate in annual, monthly and quarterly team meetings as required.

·        Actively contribute to the development and practice of a coherent, supportive, effective learning team.

·        Maintain good relationships and effective communication with colleagues, partner organizations and referring services.

·        Actively promote and ensure good and equal opportunities practice and work in anti-oppressive manner.

·        Maintain clinical and monitoring records — accurately and promptly.

·        Adhere to clinical guidelines, code of ethics, policies, procedures and stated aims / core purpose:

·        Participate in preparation of internal and external reports, including submission of monthly reports to the project manager.

·        Participate in the development and/or implementation of actions directed at pupils in partner schools to create a truly safe and violence free environment.

·        Plan and supervise activities of the mobile clinic team and community relay agents during regular field visits.

·        Plan and evaluate staff of the integrated support unit, members of the mobile clinic team and community relay agents.

·        Identify shortcomings of project activities and make recommendations to ameliorate them.

·        Participate in satisfactory surveys by supporting hired consultants or team of consultants.

Coordination

·        Assist the Project Manager to coordinate with local and international NGOs, UN agencies and other stakeholders to ensure holistic support for victims of GBV, including participation in strengthening GBV SOPs and referral pathways.

·        Assist the Project Manager to ensure the implementation of socia project activities within deadlines and standards required by MdM-CH procedures (protection of children, GBV, education and strengthening of the economic power of victims of GBV and case management).

·        Assist the Project Manager and actively participate in protection/GBV working groups and contribute to interagency initiatives as well as promoting MdM-CH as a leader agency in GBV.

·        Ensure maximum visibility of MdM-CH and relevant donors.

·        Ensure the application of the organization's Code of Conduct and PSEAH policy.

Perform other relevant duties as assigned by the Project Manager and/or the Program Coordinator.

2. REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

2.1   EDUCATION

Degree in psychology or equivalent

Further training on protection and GBV will be an asset.

2.2   PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Ø  Required

·        Work experience of 02 years in GBV case management and the development of GBV programs

·        Work experience of 02 years with an international non-governmental organisation in the field of protection.

·        Experience working with IDPs, vulnerable persons, children and adolescents in school and community settings is an asset.

·        Work experience and knowledge of the administrative organization of the North West Region (Bamenda and Santa) and West Region (Mbouda and Bafoussam).

·        Work experience as a social worker will be an asset.

2.3   GENERAL AND SPECIFIC SKILLS

·        Excellent relational and influencing skills in multicultural contexts.

·        Autonomy, pro-activity and solution-oriented

·        Good analytical and report writing skills.

·        Excellent oral and written communication skills in English. French will be an asset.

·        Mastery and manipulation of the tools of the Office Pack (Word, Excel, Power point, Excel etc.).

·        Ability to speak one or more local languages ​​(Pidgin, etc.) of the North West and West would be an asset.

·        Good knowledge of the theme of the fight against violence.

·        Good analytical and writing skills.

·        Good organizational skills and flexibility.

·        Very good communication skills.

·        Good ability to work in a team.

3. CONSTITUTION OF THE APPLICATION FILE

·        A letter of motivation addressed to the General Coordinator of the Cameroon mission of Doctors of the World Switzerland.

·        An updated Curriculum Vitae (three pages maximum)