MIDA seeks to recruit a mental health – Somaliland
Terms of Reference
General information :
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Background information :
About MIDA FINNSOM Health Phase IV Project.The past decades have seen continued migration from various African countries, causing “brain drain” that has debilitated various public sector systems across the continent. Implemented by IOM, Migration for Development in Africa (MIDA) projects seek to utilize the skills and knowledge of Africans living in the diaspora to rehabilitate public sector systems in their countries of origin. Through Phase IV of the Institutionalizing Health Care Improvement through Temporary Returns of Somali Diaspora Health Professionals program (publicly known as MIDA FINNSOM Health), IOM and Somali diaspora health and support professionals will continue to support the rehabilitation and development of the public health sector in Puntland and Somaliland. MIDA FINNSOM Health is funded by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland.About Somaliland
After the collapse of the central Somalia government in 1991, the government in Somaliland declared independence from the Federal Republic of Somalia. However, to this day, Somaliland’s self-proclaimed independence remains unrecognized by any other country or international organization. As such, the Government of Somaliland does not have direct access to entities like the World Bank or IMF, forcing it to independently develop its own infrastructure without the support of the major international and regional financial institutions. Somaliland is bordered by Ethiopia, Djibouti, Somalia, and the Gulf of Aden. The capital is Hargeisa
About Somaliland ministry of health :
Under guidance of the Ministry of Health in Somaliland, as a consultant will be responsible for Assisting MOH, Somaliland on the development of a comprehensive, locally adopted National Mental Health Policy and its subsequent implementation in the whole country.
Duties & responsibilities :
Contextual information: Somaliland Ministry of Health and assistance from the IOM MIDA FINNSOMHealth project, seek to build the capacity and knowledge of staff at the ministry of health development Toimprove Mental Health services, Assisting MOH, Somaliland on the development of a comprehensive locally
Adopted National Mental Health Policy and its subsequent implementation in the whole country.
The Consultant will assist the MOH on the development of a robust mental health policy applicable to the local context, set goals and priorities and develop mechanism for its implementation. The consultant will directly advise the Minister of Health and the Director General on issues relating to mental health in the country, represent the MOH where ever he/she is assigned to both locally and internationally. The consultant will specifically conduct the following activities:
Ministry of Health seeks a qualified Mental Health expert who can both provide services and on-the-job training and supportive supervision to local staff. The incumbent is responsible for improving the quality of Mental health related policies and paperwork and advise senior management on the subject. Under the overall guidance of Director General Ministry of Health the Mental Health expert will be responsible for the following duties and responsibilities :
- To advice the Minister of health on all issues relating to mental health ;
- To assist the development of a national mental health policy ;
- To assist the setting up of mechanism and time frame for the implementation of the mental health policy ;
- To lead the setting up of mechanism to follow up and evaluate the mental health policy ;
- Represent the MOHD where ever necessary on interacting both with local and international stakeholders in the area of mental health ;
- Contribute to the capacity building of the staff at the MOH working on mental health issues ;
- Report and formulation of recommendations when needed ;
- Any other duties as assigned to relating to mental health.
Comply with security regulations and protocols: The IOM Hargeisa International Program Officer will technically support this assignment from Hargeisa through interaction with the qualified Somali expatriate and beneficiary institution.
MIDA finnsom health requirements :
Besides the specific outputs mentioned in section IV, MIDA FINNSOM Health is requiring the following steps/actions to be undertaken throughout the assignment. These are standard requirements for all assignments under this project :
Transfer of skills : The main responsibility of the qualified Somali expatriate—which he/she will be measured against—will be to ensure continuous and systematic transfer of knowledge and skills as related to the assignment. It will have to be agreed with the beneficiary institution which civil servants will have to benefit from this knowledge ;
Work plan : A work plan must be developed with the Supervisor during the first week of assignment to provide clear and time-bound activities to successfully implement the outputs of the assignment. This work plan will be shared with the IOM Hargeisa National Program Officer. This work plan can be revised during the midterm review to reflect new developments or changes in strategy ;
Midterm Review : There will be a midterm review of the assignment between the incumbent and the beneficiary institution to discuss progress of the assignment and feedback on performance ;
Quarterly and Final Reports : Quarterly progress reports will be submitted by the incumbent to the Supervisor and to the IOM Hargeisa National Program Officer. At the end of the assignment, the Participant must also provide a final report covering the duration of his/her assignment.
Qualifications :
Level of Education :
- Medical doctor with specialty in psychiatry ;
- A medical doctor from the Somali Diaspora with specialty in psychiatry.
Years of work experience in what area(s) :
At least 5 years of work experience with patients with mental illnesses and substance use
Languages needed :
Proficiency in English and Somali. Arabic is an asset.
General Skills / Other Requirements :
- Experience with post conflict setting in the Somali region is an advantage ;
- Training in related areas such as psychotherapy ;
- Well acquainted with the mental health situation in Somaliland and has some field experience in working mental health in Somaliland ;
- Proven track record of negotiating with multiple stakeholders including local authorities, local organizations, etc ;
- Good communication skills ;
- Ability to operate as part of a team, but also independently, depending on the situation ;
- Ability to use Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) ;
- Ability to identify innovative approaches to problems in a challenging environment ;
- Must be a Somali Diaspora.
Monthly stipend :
The monthly stipend amount will be determined by MIDA FINNSOM Health based on degree and years of relevant experience.
Security and insurance modalities :
Health insurance—including evacuation due to medical emergency—will be provided by the project. However, experts will be requested to provide a recent medical certificate stating that they are physically fit and able to work in a hardship area in Africa.Please note that IOM, according to the contract, will not be responsible for the security of the qualified Somali expatriates. The host beneficiary institution will be responsible for the security of the individual.Before leaving the country of residence or upon arrival in Nairobi or in Somaliland, the qualified Somali expatriate will receive a pre-service briefing including security advice and cultural background.
How to apply :
All applications must be sent to midahargeisa@iom.int. With the following reference as subject in your e-mail : APPLICATION – Mental Health ExpertAs part of the application, applicants must provide a cover letter and CV before the closing date of the vacancy in order for each candidate to be considered.Only Shortlisted Candidates Will Be Contacted.