National MHPSS Officer at International… · Georgetown

Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Mission (CoM) and the National Protection Officer, the National MHPSS Officer will support the provision of specialized Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) services to migrants, returnees, and vulnerable individuals in Guyana.

The incumbent will provide direct clinical and psychosocial support interventions for individuals experiencing distress, trauma-related symptoms, severe emotional difficulties, or psychosocial vulnerabilities associated with displacement, prolonged transit, deportation, detention experiences, family separation, violence, or uncertainty regarding return and reintegration

Responsibilities

1. Provide direct psychological support services to migrants, returnees, and vulnerable individuals through individual counselling, supportive psychotherapy, crisis intervention, and psychosocial assessments.
2. Conduct structured MHPSS assessments and identify individuals requiring specialized mental health support or referral in line with established procedures.
3. Provide psychosocial support and follow-up for complex and high-risk cases, including individuals presenting with severe distress, suicide risk, trauma-related symptoms, or significant psychosocial vulnerabilities, under the supervision of the MHPSS Regional Specialist.
4. Facilitate group counselling sessions, psychoeducation activities, stress management sessions, and psychosocial support groups.
5. Support referral processes to psychiatric, medical, protection, or specialized services in collaboration with the MHPSS Regional Specialist and relevant partners.
6. Participate in suicide prevention and suicide watch procedures, including observation, documentation, safety planning, and referral coordination.
7. Maintain confidential case files and accurate documentation in line with IOM data protection standards and ethical guidelines.
8. Assist in the development of culturally appropriate psychosocial materials and intervention tools.
9. Provide technical support and guidance to MHPSS frontline staff and community workers, as requested.
10. Support MHPSS activity tracking, reporting, and monitoring.
11. Participate in multidisciplinary meetings and coordination activities as required, under the guidance of the MHPSS Regional Specialist.
12. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Qualifications

EDUCATION

• Bachelor’s degree in Clinical Psychology, Psychology, Counselling Psychology, or related mental health field from an accredited academic institution, or related field with two years of relevant professional experience; or,
• Master’s degree in above fields.
• Professional registration/license to practice psychology is an advantage (Allied Health Professional Council).

EXPERIENCE

• Experience providing direct psychological services in humanitarian, migration, displacement, or low-resource settings.
• Experience supporting individuals affected by trauma, violence, displacement, or severe distress.
• Experience working with vulnerable populations including migrants, displaced persons, women, youth, and survivors of violence.
• Experience in humanitarian or emergency settings is highly desirable.