South Sudan: Senior Psychologist – SOUTH SUDAN

Outraged by the injustice faced by people with disabilities and vulnerable populations, we aspire to a world of solidarity and inclusion, enriched by our differences, where everyone can live in dignity.

Handicap International is an independent and impartial aid and development organisation working in situations of poverty and exclusion, conflict and disaster. We work alongside disabled and vulnerable people to help meet their essential needs, improve their living conditions and promote respect for their dignity and fundamental rights.

For further information about the association: http://www.handicap-international.fr/

Present in more than 55 countries, Handicap International is composed of 2 operational directions:

• The Direction of Humanitarian Action

• The Direction of Development Action

JOB CONTEXT :

After a referendum following 50 years of conflict with the North, South Sudan became officially independent in July 2011. From then, the country has engaged in a long period of construction, expected to last for the next 50 years. This period has been violently stopped since December 2013 with an internal political and ethnic conflict creating massive displacement of populations inside and outside the country. The country is now facing, added to violent clashes and wars, a major economic crisis driving it to a close collapse. On July 2016, an outbreak of violence broke out in Juba, with approximately 300 casualties, attack in an INGO compound and most of NGO staff evacuated to neighbouring countries

The context in South Sudan is characterized by a contiguum between emergency and development with regular chronic crisis, periods of stability and period of massive emergency. Handicap International (HI) is present since 2006 and has shifted in 2009 from the emergency departement to the development one but remains active in both operationnal interventions.

At October 2016, the program includes:

• An emergency component:

o Protection program in Juba camps, psychosocial support and targeted assistance to persons with specific needs

o An emergency flying team all over the country

• A long-term component:

o A Victim Assistance project based in Yei county including rehabilitation activities

o An Inclusion / DPOs project funded by EC – Europe Aid focusing on mainstreaming disability among development processes and support to DPOs.

o A psychosocial project in the hospital & jail of Juba funded by AFD and EU focusing on the mental health people

Mental Health in South Sudan

Experience shows that countries recovering from a war situation have a high instance of mental health issues, but how these are tackled depends on the quality of the general health care system. In most cases, a low-income country is not able to implement an expensive dedicated mental health programme and will tend to integrate mental health care into the general practice system, which is generally in the process of being rebuilt. In South Sudan, the context is relatively similar to other comparable countries where, post-crisis, the ability to deal with health-related challenges depends on the implementation of policies, strategies, capacities, and advocacy and coordination work. It is in this environment that HI wishes to intervene to improve the way mental health issues are being addressed.

YOUR MISSION:

Under the line management of the Operations Coordinator, as Senior Psychologist, you work mostly (75%) of time for Mental Health Project and rest of the time (25%) in support to other projects as per the need arises and requests

Your different responsibilities:

· Provide necessary technical support in the definition of the project strategy, implementation, monitoring and reporting

· Organize staff development for HI staff and implementing partners

· Represent HI and support the development of key documents at the national level in South Sudan and at the regional level as per the need.

· Coordinate and liaise with relevant operational and technical support staff of HI

CANDIDATE’S PROFILE:

· You hold a Master degree in Psychology

· You have at least 3 years’ experience in working with NGOs and civil society in developing and emergency contexts

· You have experience of working in Mental Health; psychosocial activities….

· You prove ability to mobilize community networks and in advocacy

· You have excellent reporting capacity (written and oral in English)

· You are patient, flexible and have diplomacy abilities

· You are proactive, have very good communication skills in respect of individual and cultural differences

· You are stress resistant in a very challenging surrounding

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE POSITION :

South Sudan environment is characterized by:

· A capital, Juba, with major presence of INGOs and UNS, basic but acceptable living conditions (generator, water tanks, basic roads...) and high cost level. Juba offers some facilities as bars, restaurants, gym and swimming pools for International Staff but with a variable curfew

· Possibility of few travels outside of Juba.

· Rural areas with very badly shaped roads, few infrastructure and NGO leaving in compounds. The different sites of intervention are accessible by plane through WFP-run services.

· The rainy season in South Sudan goes from May/June to September/October. During this period, movements are mostly limited since the roads are impracticable.

· Housing: The office and the Guesthouses are separated in Juba. Both premises are in the centre of Town. The accommodation in Juba is simple but comfortable. Each staff has his/her own self-contained room with Air Conditioner. City Power is hectic but a generator is running in the morning and at the evening time. There is a TV in the dining room with DSTV (cable) and the Guesthouses have internet/wireless facility

· Since the recent crisis, the security conditions are unstable with a level 3

· A special system of R&R is in place with time for rest out of the country every 6 weeks

Due to the context, the position is unaccompanied

CONDITIONS:

· Starting date : As soon as possible

· Length of the contract: 6 months with possible renewal

· Employee: from 2200€ gross/month regarding the experience of the candidate + perdiem of 550€ net/month + hardship allowance: of 500€ net/month + medical health coverage, retirement planning, repatriation insurance,

Only online by joining a CV and cover letter via the following link:

https://hi.profilsearch.com/recrute/en/fo_annonce_voir.php?id=1762&idpartenaire=131