Psychologist

Support to Life (STL) is an independent humanitarian agency working in the field of disaster risk reduction, disaster preparedness, and emergency response in Turkey and the surrounding region.  With an emphasis on community participation, STL works at a grassroots level to build local capacity, mitigate the risks and impact of disasters, and support those in need in meeting their basic needs and rights.

In line with its mandate STL currently has the following main activities:

• Refugee Support Program: in response to the increasing number of refugees in Turkey, STL is supporting refugees living outside camps in the Turkish border area through a food security programme providing psychosocial support through the establishment of Community Centres;
• Child Protection Program: STL has been providing protection services and psychosocial care for Syrian children and children affected by seasonal agricultural migration. Targeting both at-risk and working children among the refugees as well as the host community, STL has been supporting children’s education through life skills activities, awareness raising sessions and workshops.
• Civil Society Disaster Platform: in collaboration with partners, STL has launched a platform that will bring together civil society actors in sharing information and coordinating projects related to disaster management in Turkey.

STL is looking for Mental Health Physchosocial Support (MHPSS) Team Leader to work in the Community Centre in Süleymaniye / Şanlıurfa. The working language in the Community Centre is English.

• Supervision of senior counsellor team with functional and technical support of Mental Health Physchosocial Support (MHPSS) Project Officers.
• Understands psychological/ medical effects of war related violence, symptoms of distress in depth knowledge of psychotravmatology and psychiatric disorders.
• Carries out clinical psychological assessment and evaluates mental health needs of clients. Develops new and creative psychosocial support activities for children, youth and adults.
• Elaborates a diagnosis of any psychological and Common Mental Disorders (CMD), understands and can explain psychopathology of disorders and treatment to patients, families and staff
• Provide technical support and supervision to MHPSS team concerning psychiatric and psychological questions and case management. Oversees team’s activities, scheduling and reporting.
• Refer the client to other health professionals whenever necessary (e.g. psychotropic treatment, suicidality, somatic complaints) in order to propose the best support available. Ensures psychological support and follow up. Give advice to counsellor team about referral criteria.
• Manages organisational and administrative processes of the MHPSS department in the Community Centre with the support of project officers.
• Maintain good, effective communication with all STL colleagues and departments, internal and external partners, strengthen the network with local partners and liaise with health facilities and relevant actors.

• Essential degree or diploma in Psychology
• Minimum 2 years experience in related field
• Strong (self-) organizational and interpersonal skills, works well in multi-disciplinary team, high level of flexibility required
• Turkish, English essential, Arabic an asset
• Computer literacy (word, excel, outlook and Internet)