MENTAL HEALTH OFFICER – Regional Psychosocial Support Initiative (REPSSI)

Job Description

Deadline:
Who is REPSSI?
REPSSI is the leading African PsychosocialSupport organisation is inviting application from suitable
candidates for a Mental Health Officer position. REPSSI’s vision is that all girls, boys and youth enjoy
psychosocial and mental wellbeing. The organisation has strong partnerships with governments
(particularly the ministries responsible for social services, education and health), development
partners, international organisations and NGOs in thirteen countries of East and Southern Africa.
REPSSI is registered in Zimbabwe as a Private Voluntary Organisation, PVO No 10/12. For fifteen
years, REPSSI has provided technical capacity enhancement to its partners to strengthen
communities and families’ ability to promote the psychosocial wellbeing of their children and youth.

Position summary
The Mental Health Officer position is an eight- month role that will ensure that REPSSI will facilitate the provision of Mental Health and Psychosocial support services and capacity building within the Cholera humanitarian intervention in Harare Central, Chitungwiza, and Highfield, Beitbridge Bulawayo (Fortstreet and Tredgold).

Duties and Responsibilities

Job description
The Mental Health Officer will be expected to:
 Contribute to REPSSI intervention on Integrating Child Protection in Emergency in WASH Cholera and Climate Change Emergency Response.
 Identify and support critical cases of children, women and other vulnerable individuals that might have experienced traumatic events and are unable to cope.
 Conduct mental health assessments.
 Provide psychotherapy and referral for specialised management of conditions that the
emergency project might encounter.
 Provide therapeutic counselling.
 represent REPSSI in relevant district and provincial coordinating bodies including emergency
response thematic clusters especially the Health, Education and Protection Clusters;
 liaise with other entities working on Mental health;
 Facilitate the acceleration of access to MHPSS for the Cholera and Climate Change
Emergency affected communities.

Qualifications and Experience

Qualifications
A minimum of a Master’s degree in Psychology, preferably a post graduate certificate in Clinical Psychology; Minimum three (3) years of relevant work experience; Registration with the Health Professions Council; Practical field experience in development contexts; Practical experience in training and/or facilitation of groups; Experience in programme design, implementation, M&E and research for psychosocial support; Experience in conducting field-based baseline assessments;
Experience in international, regional and/or national networking and knowledge management; Work experience with large NGOs, government departments and/or international cooperating partners; Prepared to travel to districts of operation. Excellent report writing skills and proposal development.