PSYCHOLOGIST

Job Announcement

PSYCHOLOGIST

SOS Children’s Villages takes action for children as an independent non-governmental social development organization. We build families for children in need, we help them shape the development of their communities, we respect varying religions and cultures, and we work in countries and communities where our mission can contribute to development.

A three-year project funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, abbreviated BMZ. It is a cabinet-level ministry of the Federal Republic of Germany, founded in 1961, the Ministry works to encourage economic development within Germany and in other countries through international cooperation and partnerships. It cooperates with international organizations involved in development including the International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and the United Nations.

 Position summary and main aims:

Within three-year BMZ funded Project, the role of the psychologist is an essential part of the project that will secure individual and group psycho-social support for children and families. The psychologist reports directly to the Project Coordinator and works in close coordination with the project team. This position ensures quality empowerment for families that are directly affected by   domestic violence within the Gaza Strip. The Psychologist is required to have a deep knowledge of the context in the Gaza Strip and the psycho-social and mental implications domestic violence including gender base violence, on families and children

Contract Type: Limited Contract funded by BMZ Project

 Location:  Gaza Strip

Key Performance areas and Responsibilities:

• Ensure that comprehensive clinical mental health assessments are conducted in best interest of the child
• In coordination with social worker, refer families with additional mental health needs to specialized services
• Cooperate with center social worker and design and follow a professional psychological individual management plan
• Prepares psychological and mental health support training, and awareness approaches for child/families development (Children rights, parental skills, protection policy, gender)
• Develop psychological intervention plans for children and families
• Regularly assess and review of mental health status of children and families
• Provide individual and group psychological interventions (using tool CBT, cognitive behavior therapy, psychodrama, and family counselling) to children, and families
• Ensure proper participation and liaison with project team, social workers, partners and referral mechanism
• Participate in regular supervision and team meetings

Child Safeguarding (CS)

• Responsible within own area of work to raise awareness of the SOS Child Protection Policy principles and to prevent and protect children from all forms of abuse, abandonment, exploitation, violence and discrimination
• Responsible to report any CS suspicion, concern, allegation or incident immediately, following Child Safeguarding reporting procedures. CS reports should be made to the IOR CS focal person and/or to the respective line manager

 Must Criteria:

• Bachelor’s degree in Counselling/ Psychology/Mental Health.
• At least 3-5 years’ experience working directly with children and caregivers and applying a number of therapeutic approaches
• Work experience in a case management system.
• Ability to combine field and office work;
• Experience in working with survivors of domestic violence (children and caregivers)

 Competencies – Knowledge, skills, abilities:

• Good knowledge of child development, family functioning, human behavior and social environment
• Knowledge on child protection and children rights
• Knowledge on impact of trauma on children and caregivers
• Knowledge on how traditions, culture, beliefs and customs influence human functioning and development at all levels
• Understanding of cultural diversity, characteristics of special target groups, implications for assessment and intervention
• Understanding of services, including crisis intervention, parenting skills training, family counselling, conflict resolution and individual and group counselling
• Good time management, organizational and administrative skills
• Team work and flexible

Preferred Additional Criteria:

• Experience on range of therapeutic approaches (e.g. CBT, art therapy, in supporting children, young people and caregivers with a multiple traumas
• Experience with cognitive behavior therapy, psychodrama, and family counselling
• Post graduate certificate in CBT, psychotherapy, play therapy, etc.