The IRC restarted operations in Sudan in November 2019 after successfully obtaining re-registration in Khartoum with the transitional government and launching initial programs to support displaced populations in urban settings around Khartoum. 

Sudan is currently experiencing multiple challenges that include macroeconomic crisis, armed conflicts and displacement, protracted refugee situations, natural disasters, as well as the Covid-19 pandemic. The result of this crisis is large-scale humanitarian need across the country leaving an estimated 9.3 million people in need. In November 2020, fighting in the Tigray region of Ethiopia led to the flight of around 60,000 refugees to eastern Sudan, further worsening the humanitarian need. 

In response to growing needs in recent months, the IRC has established a fully functional country program following on the work initially done through the emergency response team and expanded humanitarian activities in the east of the country in response to the Tigrayan refugee crisis.  The IRC currently has three field bases in South Kordofan, Gedaref and Damazine in addition to the head office in Khartoum, and is looking to expand in program scale, scope, and geographic support over the coming months.

Job overview/Summary

This position is responsible for the provision of high quality standardized mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) services, provision of psychiatric consultations, the implementation of the MHPSS clinical guidelines and pathways in supported clinics through health staff training, monitoring / supervision and coaching. The position will oversee the quality of MHGap training and provide post training follow up to general practitioners, clinicians, nurses and provide community level support for MHPSS. The duty station of this position is the IRC supported clinic in Tunaydbah/Mayo.         

• Provide needed guidance on psychotropic prescription and ensure prescription of drugs is being made as per the WHO's recommendations and the national guidelines
• Support in the procurement of all psychotropic medications ensuring adherence to the MoH essential drug list (EDL) as well IRC EDL
• Conduct MHGap training to general practitioners and nurses in accordance with WHO guidelines. Review cases of MHPSS clients seen by the General Practitioners and provide on the job training and support.
• Conduct training of community health volunteers (CHVs) to provide MHPSS support at community level and establish appropriate referral mechanism
• Ensure that the rights of person with mental health conditions are protected at all times and advocate against stigma
• Review MHPSS cases seen by the clinicians and other complicated cases as may be required.
• Support the development and implementation of preventive mental health measures in the health Facilities and throughout the local community
• Liaise with the data officer responsible for the health management information system (HMIS) and M&E colleagues to ensure proper collection and analysis of MHPSS data
• Identify clinic trends and develop mitigation measures to address programmatic gaps and improve overall quality of care
• Participate in surveys and health assessment to identify MHPSS risk factors in the affected communities and tailor the project to address such gaps
• Represent IRC at technical coordination meetings relating to MHPSS and share meeting resolutions timely.

• Psychiatrist with 3 years clinical experience
• Trained on MHGAP is an additional advantage
• 1-2 years of experience in the field of primary health care with in-depth technical knowledge of integration of MHPSS services in primary health care level is an asset
• Previous NGO experience preferred
• Experience in training and mentoring on MHPSS
• Experience in mental health and protection work with displaced persons, refugees, returnees
• Good problem-solving skills and team management
• Good negotiation skills and networking
• Strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills
• Fluency in written and spoken English required
• Sudanese national

Key Working Relationship:

• Position reports to: Health Manager
• Position directly supervises: N/A
• Indirect reporting: Health & Nutrition Coordinator, Field Coordinator
• Other Internal: HF staff

Standard of Professional Conduct

IRC and IRC employees are required to abide by the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – Code of Conduct which are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Harassment-Free Workplace, Fiscal Integrity, Anti-Retaliation, Combating Trafficking in Persons, and several others. 

Gender Equality & Equal Opportunity

We are committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer generous benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances. We welcome and strongly encourage qualified female professionals to apply.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our organization. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. 

Ensuring the non-disclosure of any information whatsoever relating to the practices and business of IRC acquired in the course of duty, to any other person or organization without authority, except in the normal execution of duty.