Senior MHPSS Associate

Under the overall supervision of IOM Bulgaria’s Head of Mission and direct supervision of IOM’s Bulgaria Senior Protection Officer; and, in collaboration with relevant units at Country office and Regional Office, the Senior MHPSS Associate will be performing the following functions and responsibilities: 

• Support the Senior Protection Officer and the MHPSS team in the coordination of counselling sessions within a multidisciplinary team that includes other IOM staff (social worker, legal counsellor, interpreter, cultural mediator, AVRR referral counsellor, etc.);

• Support the Senior Protection Officer in organizing individual and group counselling and general psychosocial services among refugees, asylum seekers and migrants, including potential victims of trafficking, cases of sexual and gender-based violence, unaccompanied and separated minors, etc.

• Assist the unit by referring previously identified severe mental health cases to local mental health institutions and/or specialists for specialized interventions .

• Support the Senior Protection Officer in monitoring beneficiaries who have been referred to local mental health institutions and specialists

• Serve as a focal point for the Safe Zones for unaccompanied children in Voenna Rampa and/or Ovcha Kupel and/or Harmanli activities, managed by IOM and liaise with relevant units on logistical, administrative, and financial matters in support of MHPSS activities.

• Compile and file project documentation in relation to MHPSS activities, including internal reports, donor reports, draft technical specifications, as needed.

• Assist in the development of monitoring, evaluation and reporting tools of MHPSS activities in the form of satisfaction surveys, pre and post assessments, as well as needs assessments.

• Support the planning, organizing and facilitation of MHPSS capacity building workshops with relevant internal and external parties.

• Participate in meetings and conferences; maintain effective liaison and coordination with local authorities, partners, United Nation agencies, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, donors and other stakeholders relevant to the MHPSS activities of the mission. 

• Support in identifying and documenting best practices and lessons learned; contribute to the development of Standard Operations Procedures (SOPs), policies and concept papers; and support the development of new projects and expand the MHPSS activities of the mission.  

• Perform other related duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree in psychology or a related field from an accredited academic institution with a minimum of five years of relevant professional experience, including at least 2 years MHPSS experience.

• High School diploma with at least seven years of relevant professional experience. 

• Experience in liaising with governmental authorities, national/international institutions, United Nations agencies and non-governmental organizations; 

• Experience in working with migrants, refugees, internally displaced persons, victims of trafficking and other vulnerable groups; and,

• Prior work experience with international humanitarian organizations, non-government or government institutions/organization in a multi-cultural setting is an advantage.