Clinical Psychologist US NGO Jobs – ALIGHT
Job Title: Clinical Psychologist (US NGO Jobs)
Organisation: ALIGHT
Duty Station: Kyangwali, Uganda
About US:
ALIGHT, formerly the American Refugee Committee (ARC), is an international non-profit, non-sectarian 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: A clinical psychologist is a trained mental health professional that uses anecdotal evidence to identify, assess, treat and refer cases with a history of psychological difficulties. 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 Kyangwali Refugee settlement and reporting on mental health services, whilst providing technical backstopping to Psychosocial Counsellors, Para Counsellors and staff from partner organizations.
The clinical psychologist of ALIGHT provides quality psychological care services to refugees and nationals at individual and group sessions, at ALIGHT office premises and in the community on outreaches. The CP operates under the technical supervision of the SCP and reports administratively to the line manager (team leader) of ALIGHT. The job responsibilities of the CP of ALIGHT include the following:
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
- Ensuring that the mandate and core values of ALIGHT are always represented and protected in the actions of the clinical psychologist of ALIGHT internally and externally while on duty as well as off duty.
MHPSS Program planning, implementation, quality assurance and Reporting
- Develop and monitor appropriate treatment programs, including community sensitization, screening, intake assessments, treatment planning and implementation, evaluation, referral and documentation.
- Spear head the development of IEC materials on MHPSS.
- Ensure the MHPSS staff consistently use and apply the procedures and guiding tools of ALIGHT’s MHPSS services
- 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.
- Lead the MHPSS team on the standardization of major operating procedures and ensure adherence to the same at site level.
- 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.
- Invest in creation, support and maintenance of both therapy and support groups in the community whilst adhering to the various treatment protocols.
- Refer clients to respective specialists for consultation and appropriate intervention.
- Participate in designing community-based engagements for sensitization and dialoguing on MHPSS issues.
- Adhere to the ethical and professional code of conduct governing Clinical Psychologists.
- Assist in designing the MHPSS prevention and response strategy of ALIGHT and support its implementation.
- Participate in the compiling and timely submission of weekly, monthly, and quarterly reports.
Representation / Coordination:
- Work as part of a multidisciplinary team alongside the entire protection team in the settlement and that specific to ALIGHT.
- Work as part of a multi-disciplinary team to offer comprehensive support to FDSPs in the settlement by exploiting opportunities for advocacy.
- Spearhead the integration of MHPSS in sectors such as child protection, WASH, GBV, Health, Community services and legal.
- Represent ALIGHT at different levels as deemed necessary including protection and Coordination meetings.
- 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 (donors, bilateral and multilateral coordination bodies, research organizations and academics, and relevant government institutions).
Professional development
- Provide clinical supervision, leadership, and mentorship to the psychosocial counselors and entire MHPSS team at site level.
- Provide technical support to GBV and MHPSS workers in mental health aspects through case discussions, in-house trainings, and feedback sessions.
- Ensure timely identification of personal and occupational stressors and design a self-care strategy with consideration for external support as need arises.
- Facilitate and participate in continuous career development and keep abreast with current advances in MHPSS.
- Follow ALIGHT’s Continuous Learning Program at site level.
Community empowerment and outreaches
- Develop standardized training tools on MHPSS for grassroot structures including ALIGHT protection and MHPSS staff as may be necessary.
- Fundraising and sustainability of the MHPSS services of ALIGHT
- Identify potential donors as well as calls for proposals through donor adverts and any other sources related to MHPSS funding.
- Mobilize the MHPSS staff for proposal development
Reporting responsibilities
- Compilation of activity reports, on each implemented MH activity in the annual MH work plan, outlining the activity title, the activity objectives, level of achievements in relation to the objectives and lessons learnt, which are submitted to the SCP of ALIGHT in hard and soft copies.
- Facilitation of periodic reports (monthly, quarterly, etc.) for further clarifications or additional information about reports of the MH Service of ALIGHT in case of need.
- proposals and forwards the proposals to the senior Clinical Psychologist of ALIGHT.
- Perform any other duties assigned.
Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
- The applicant must hold a bachelor’s degree in Clinical Psychology or Community Psychology. A minimum of master’s degree in clinical psychology is highly preferred.
- At least three years of experience in practice as a clinical psychologist e.g., Psychological Assessments and treatments, psychological intervention development, clinical programs development, MHPSS Teams capacity building.
- Previous experience in trauma-based therapy specifically Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Narrative Exposure Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing, Acceptance & Commitment Therapy, Expressive arts, and Play therapy.
- Broad knowledge and experience in Gender Based Violence case management is essential.
- A strong understanding of the profession and the role of a clinical psychology in Mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) and its dynamics in multidisciplinary service delivery.
- Prior experience working at the community level, with thorough understanding of how to precisely communicate MHPSS issues at local level with cultural considerations.
- Demonstrated knowledge of national, regional, and global MHPSS funding mechanisms, priorities, and emerging opportunities, potential partners.
- Strong leadership skills yet with ability to work individually and within a team.
- Proficiency in MS computer packages, word, excel, PowerPoint and access.
- Good presentation/facilitation skills
- Credible and empathetic persona.
- Excellent report writing, communication, analytical and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to conduct accurate assessments and offer evidence-based psychoeducation.
- 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 protection needs and situation of GBV survivors and able to respect the survivors’ right to ethical practices.
- Ability to handle stressful working conditions with limited supervision.
- Ability to manage multiple tasks at a time and work effectively.
- Strong proposal writing skills.
- Fluency in Swahili and ability to ride a motorcycle with a valid license (Class A) is an added advantage.
How to Apply:
All candidates should send their applications online at the link below
Deadline: 26th September 2023 at 5:00pm