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Purpose
Under the supervision of the GBV Coordinator and in technical coordination with the Senior Mental Health Officer, the GBV Mental Health Officer provides specialised, trauma-informed mental health services within the GBV programme for survivors of gender-based violence.
The role supports GBV case management through clinical assessment, individual counselling, stabilisation, referral, and follow-up, ensuring ethical, survivor-centred, and confidential mental health care in line with approved SOPs, UNHCR GBV Guidelines, and clinical standards.
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Key Responsibilities
Clinical Mental Health Services (GBV-Focused)
- Conduct clinical mental health assessments for GBV survivors experiencing moderate to severe psychological distress.
- Provide individual, short- to medium-term counselling and structured therapeutic interventions within scope of practice.
- Develop and implement survivor-centred care plans in coordination with GBV Case Workers and the Senior GBV Case Management Officer.
- Monitor progress, risks, and mental health outcomes and adjust care plans as required.
- Provide services strictly within scope of professional competence and refer cases beyond capacity appropriately.
- Identify high-risk cases and escalate appropriately.
- Support crisis intervention and stabilisation for survivors in acute distress in line with approved protocols.
Support for GBV Case Management
- Provide technical input to GBV Case Workers on psychosocial and mental health dimensions of cases.
- Coordinate closely with the Senior GBV Case Management Officer to ensure alignment between clinical support and case management processes.
- Participate in case conferencing for complex or high-risk GBV cases, as required.
- Advise on safety planning from a mental health and emotional-stabilisation perspective.
- Support ethical decision-making and survivor well-being without assuming case ownership, which remains the responsibility of GBV Case Workers.
- Ensure clear differentiation between clinical mental health services and non-clinical psychosocial support provided by PSS and case management staff.
Referrals & Clinical Coordination
- Identify cases requiring specialised psychiatric or long-term mental health care and facilitate referrals through approved pathways.
- Coordinate with health facilities, psychiatrists, and specialised service providers as required.
- Ensure follow-up on referred cases to support continuity of care and access to services.
Documentation, Ethics & Safeguarding
- Maintain accurate, confidential clinical records in line with data protection and confidentiality protocols.
- Ensure secure storage, restricted access, and ethical handling of all clinical records.
- Ensure informed consent is obtained and documented prior to service provision.
- Uphold survivor-centred principles, Do No Harm, and professional clinical ethics at all times.
- Ensure all interventions are culturally appropriate, gender-sensitive, and contextually relevant.
- Identify and immediately escalate high-risk cases, including self-harm, suicide risk, or severe distress, through established safeguarding and protection mechanisms.
Capacity Building & Technical Support
- Support capacity building of GBV Case Workers, Community Mobilisers, and Field Supervisors on basic psychosocial considerations, stress responses, and survivor-safe communication.
- Support staff well-being by providing basic guidance on stress management and secondary trauma where required.
- Contribute to the development of GBV-MHPSS tools, guidance notes, and referral protocols.
- Participate in clinical supervision and professional development sessions led by the Senior Mental Health Officer.
Other Duties
- Perform any other duties related to the position, as reasonably assigned by the Supervisor, in line with organisational policies and operational requirements.
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Qualifications & Experience
- Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology, Counselling Psychology, or a mental health-related discipline.
- Preferably minimum 2–3 years of professional experience in clinical mental health practice.
- Demonstrated experience working with GBV survivors, trauma, or high-risk populations.
- Training in trauma-informed care and Psychological First Aid (PFA) is preferred.
- Strong understanding of ethical practice, confidentiality, and survivor-centred approaches.
- Registration with a relevant professional body is an asset.
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