Founded in 1933, the International Rescue Committee (www.rescue.org) is a world leader in relief, rehabilitation and post-conflict development services for those uprooted or affected by violent conflict and oppression. The IRC is currently working in over 40 countries around the world, addressing both the immediate and lifesaving needs of conflict affected people in emergencies and the reconstruction needs of post-conflict societies.

The IRC began programming in northern Uganda in 1998 in response to mass displacement and devastation wrought by rebel group, the Lord’s Resistance Army. In 2002, the IRC expanded to the remote, conflict-affected region of Karamoja and in 2011, began working with refugees in Kampala and Kiryandongo settlement. Monitoring the influx of South Sudanese refugees at the end of 2015, the IRC began scaling up its response to refugees arriving in the West Nile region. By promoting durable solutions that deliver on the interdependent aims of saving lives, strengthening institutions, and supporting social cohesion, the IRC in Uganda is laying the building blocks for long-term stability and development – bringing people from harm to home. The IRC currently works in the districts of Kitgum, Lamwo, Arua, Yumbe, Kyegegwa, Kiryandongo, Kyaka  and Kampala including 7 districts in Karamoja region.

Roles and Responsibilities

•The psychiatric clinical Officer coordinates Mental health and Psychosocial activities across his catchment the area, Represents IRC in MHPSS technical working Group meetings within his area of jurisdiction and collaborates with other agencies / institutions to ensure effective coordination and referral of cases.
•He\She shall ensure integration and provision of proven and highly standard MHPSS services both psychotherapeutic and psychopharmacological to the Beneficiaries in all IRC supported PHC Facilities.
•He\she shall provide mental health and psychosocial support services to beneficiaries in the covid-19 treatment units, isolation units and quarantine centers.
•He\she shall assess, diagnose, manage mental health patients, and prepare cases complex mental health disorders for case conferencing with the Mental health Officer, medical officer or mental health Technical Advisers or Visiting Psychiatrist.
•He\she shall build capacity of fellow staff through CMEs in MHPSS using the, UCG, DSM-V, mhGAP-HIG and he will act as a link between Protection and Health programming in facilities to ensure Protection and PSEA mainstreaming in PHC facilities supported by IRC with in his / her Jurisdiction.
•He\She will ensure effective custody and utilization MH DEPT supplies, participate in the routine data collection and reporting pertaining   the IRC MH indicators and HIS.
•He\She shall directly lead, mentor and Supervise a Registered or Enrolled Mental health nurses attached to facilities in his catchment.
•He\she shall lead mass awareness campaigns in the community to raise demand for professional MH service utilization and to fight stigma associated with Mental health.

Qualifications

•Holds a diploma in psychiatric clinical medicines from a reputable institution.
•Must be registered with the Allied health professional council and have a valid practicing license.
•At least two (2) years of prior professional experience in a similar post, preferably with an international Organization, implementing PHC services in a humanitarian setting.

•Knowledgeable in and experience following IASC Guidelines on MHPSS in Emergencies and international best practices on the integration of MHPSS into primary health care settings.
• Ability to work within a team structure or independently, flexible, and can cope with stressful workload.
• Honest, hardworking and a self-motivated person.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work within different cultural environments.
•Experience working in the region.
• An excellent command of verbal and written English, clerkship skills in Juba Arabic, Kakwa, Acholi and Aringa is an added advantage