Egypt: Psychologist

Founded in 1979, St Andrew’s Refugee Services (StARS) is a refugee service provider in central Cairo that works to enhance the quality of life for refugees and vulnerable migrants through four broad programs: education, legal, community outreach, and psychosocial services. We provide high-quality services meeting the unaddressed needs of refugees, and we provide a safe and inclusive space for displaced people to come together as a community. We work for refugees, with refugees, to make rights recognition a reality.

StARS’ Vision: Displaced people lead in the creation and implementation of responses to different forms of migration to establish safe, just, welcoming, and inclusive communities globally.

StARS’ Mission: Driven by a commitment to justice and fairness, StARS works as displaced people and for displaced people to respect human dignity and enhance quality of life.

We serve people from many places, including Ethiopia, Iraq, Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, Eritrea, Yemen and Syria.

To learn more please visit: www.stars-egypt.org

Or https://www.facebook.com/standrewsrefugeeservices?fref=ts

Psychosocial Services at Saint Andrew’s Refugee Services

Psychosocial Services StARS’ Psychosocial Services (PS) assists refugee adults and children in meeting their basic needs. PS focuses on health, mental health, and social needs, such as education, shelter, security, and community support. StARS’ psychosocial department provides individual psychosocial support to adults and families; individual psychosocial support to unaccompanied children and youth (UCY); provides direct assistance to adults and unaccompanied children; and advocates for access to medical services. Alongside individual case management, psychosocial group activities are provided where people can find additional support.

Role of the Psychologist:

Under the supervision of the mental health program coordinator, the Psychologist will be responsible for strengthening StARS’ ability to respond to clients’ mental health needs, as well as supporting the well-being of StARS staff. This will include advising psychosocial workers and legal advisors on addressing mental health needs of their clients, training staff on mental health issues, taking caseload of particularly vulnerable clients, running one-to-one and group staff counselling sessions.

Responsibilities

Support and training on client mental health needs

· Leads on mental health related trainings throughout the organization in line with international standards

· Conducts training for StARS psychosocial staff in basic counseling skills

· Conducts training for legal advisors on the impacts of trauma Provides advice and guidance to psychosocial workers and legal advisors in cases where mental health is a key issue

· Maintains a small caseload of clients with mental health needs

· Prepares reports on the mental health situation of clients for use in refugee status determination and resettlement proceedings

Staff and Client counseling

· Provides one-to-one and group counseling sessions, at all times maintaining a caseload of 8 – 15 clients and two regular groups

· Upon request, performs individual assessments in the case of clients experiencing difficulty coping and/or presenting mental health-related symptoms

· Advises when to refer for external mental health support

· Design and regularly implements stress management training to all staff members

Peer support and team building

· Design and plan peer support groups for different programs

· Facilitates peer support groups when appropriate

· Oversee the current implementation of team building initiatives and support them accordingly

· Advices on relevant measures that could further support current practices

Supervisory

· Provides group supervision for psychosocial workers for cases where mental health related advice is considered appropriate

· Provides monthly supervision for the staff counseling intern.

· Attends monthly supervision sessions with supervisor, accepting feedback and direction.

· Accesses regular external clinical supervision.

Administrative tasks

● Organizes client appointments and logistics involved across the organization informing supervisor as required.

● Keep an accurate record of sessions held, in line with StARS data recording procedures.

● Develops and records treatment plans for relevant cases.

● Develops written guidance documents for staff counseling, staff training, and client mental health support.

● Set up and/or tidy down rooms as counseling space

● Reports monthly on progress to supervisor

● Contributes towards internal and external reports as required.

Other duties as assigned

All of the above should be carried out in StARS’ premises and within refugee community centers with respect and non-discrimination, and in line with the child protection and safeguarding policies at StARS

Qualifications and experience:**

● Fluency in speaking and writing English is essential. Fluency in Arabic is highly desired. Ability to speak other languages commonly found in displaced populations will be an asset.

● Master’s degree in Psychology.

● Previous clinical experience (whether in placements during study, or externally), preferably with some experience in multi-cultural environments.

● Broad knowledge of the field of counseling, including an understanding of trauma and its effects.

● Proven ability to manage emergency situations, or respond suitably and calmly in times of crisis.

● Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality, sexuality, and age sensitivity and tolerance.

● Strictly operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules.

● Strong sense of confidentiality.

● Have counseling and psychotherapy experience

● An ability to manage own self-care.

Working hours: The psychologist is expected to be at work for 40 hours per week, between the hours of 9am and 5pm from Sunday to Thursday. Longer hours, evening and weekend work are sometimes necessary.

Work will be conducted either in StARS premises, Naimo center, Maadi office or outside for external meetings or in community centers.

Salary: 9500 EGP per month, rising to 9800 EGP per month at the completion of three-month probationary period, plus with 4,020 EGP/ year medical allowance and 100 EGP/month saving scheme contribution upon completion of probationary period.

The psychologist is supervised by Director of Psychosocial services

To Apply: Send a Cover Letter and your CV to applications@stars-egypt.org using the subject line “Psychologist”

Note: Only qualified applicants will be contacted for an interview after the deadline.

Closing date for applications: 15^th August 2019

Anticipated starting date: 1^st of September

Contract length: One year