Mental Health Nurse at the International Rescue Committee (IRC)

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. The IRC leads the way from harm to home.

The IRC has been present in Nigeria since 2012 when the organization responded to flooding in Kogi state. In February 2014 the IRC moved into Adamawa State in NE Nigeria to provide humanitarian interventions through a multi-sectoral, integrated approach for conflict affected populations. IRC Nigeria now operates a country office in Abuja and field offices in Mubi and Yola of Adamawa State, Maiduguri and Monguno of Borno state and Damatru of Yobe State. Currently, IRC Nigeria implements programs primary health care, nutrition, environmental health, women’s protection and empowerment, protection, child protection, education, food security & livelihoods.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Mental Health Nurse

Reference ID: req25457
Location: Maiduguri, Borno
Sector: Health
Employment Category: Regular
Employment Type: Full-Time
Open to Expatriates: No

Job Overview / Summary

• This project employs a health system support and strengthening approaches to provide a high-quality primary health care service and Mental and Psychosocial Support (MPSS).
• Under the direct supervision of Health Manager, the Mental health Nurse is the focal point for IRC Borno State health project implementation in MMC & Jere LGAs.
• He/she will be responsible for administering MPSS field-based deliverables on consortium project and will carry over, implementation, monitoring, support with the overall capacity building of health program staff, and progress reporting of consortium projects for MPSS unit of health.
• The Mental Health Nurse ensures that the IRC’s health project interventions in MMC & Jere LGAs are guided by the Nigeria Country Program SAP Implementation Plan. He/she reports to the Health Manager and works closely with other health professionals, Monitoring and Evaluation Manager and sectors.

Major Responsibilities
Program Management, Technical Quality, and Strategy:

Health Program Management:

• The mental health nurse performs various functions to help individuals recover from mental health issues, psychosocial counselling and as well cope with stressors, including depression, anxiety, isolation, and serious persistent mental illness including good applicability of IPC protocols.
• The major tasks, duties, and responsibilities of health programs performed by the mental health nurse are listed in the job description example below:
• Direct provision of mental and psychosocial first aid to patients as indicated with the patients’ condition(s).
• Administer medications where necessary, document response, maintain accurate medication lists, and document and report medication errors.
• Utilize a motivational approach to engage individuals in treatment consistent with their stage of change and develop therapeutic relationships with individuals that respect boundaries
• Provide education regarding mental illness, physical health concerns, chronic disease management, wellness, relapse prevention and medications to patients, families, care givers and team members.
• Advocate for individuals to assure implementation of appropriate interventions; assure protection of rights and privacy and assure that individuals understand the complaint and grievance procedures.
• Refer and connect individuals with medical, psychiatric, and other healthcare providers relevant to managing their case.
• Coordinate with pharmacies and other partners to ensure timely delivery of appropriate mental health and related medications for patient where necessary.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of all medical and psychiatric services and provide additional coordination, advocacy, or intervention when necessary.
• Talk to patients about their problems and discuss the best strategy to deliver their care.
• Develop rapport with patients to build trust, while listening to and interpreting their needs and concerns correctly.
• Empathize with distressed patients and attempt to understand the source of their discomfort.
• Help patients manage their emotions through the application of de-escalation techniques.
• Provide evidence-based individualized therapy, such as cognitive behavior therapy for depression and anxiety.
• Liaise with mental health agencies, partners social workers, and psychiatric health institution where appropriate.
• Organize social events aimed at developing patients’ social skills and help reduce their feelings of isolation.
• Ensure that the legal requirements appropriate to a particular setting or group of patients are observed and adhered to by working and coordinating activities with protection team where appropriate.
• Help patients and their families in combating stigma associated with mental illness.
• Render advice and arrange support for patients, relatives, and care givers
• Encourage patients to take part in therapeutic activities, including art and role play.
• Support in rehabilitation of crisis affected persons with noticeable or verbalized effect of psychosocial imbalance following insurgence experience.
• Perform all other related duties as assigned.

Human Resource Management:

• Mental Health Nurse must be able to work well within a multi-disciplinary team environment to provide well-coordinated patient care.
• S/he will work with a multi-disciplinary team to deliver a coordinated patient care.
• Will participate is step down training for health workers and basic psychosocial first aid skills.
• Educate CHIPS agents and HWs on patients’ bill of right, and protection related issues.

Operations:

• Maintain an updated record and compile and submit monthly reports of all services given.
• Monitor and ensure the proper usage of pharmaceutical and other health program supplies.
• Prepare weekly work plans and movement plan and ensure timely implementation of the project activities.
• As team officer, maintain vigilance and monitor surroundings for security of the team for outreach activities and adhere to IRC’s safety and security protocols.

Monitoring Health Program Implementation:

• Monitor project implementation and provide on-spot support to field teams and propose modifications as necessary.
• Ensure regular health program data analysis and review, take follow up action on project implementation, and prepare relevant action reports.
• Supervise and provide technical oversight in the interpretation of data for improved programming and implementation.
• Monitor and promote integrated programming in a way that increases overall impact of health program at the community level.

Communication and Reporting:

• Mental Health Nurse is required to educate, motivate, and advocate for their patients, as well as document a progress report on them; hence they need a clear and concise writing skill and excellent verbal communication skills to be successful on the job.
• Support Health Manager in compiling statistical reports from the supported health facilities and communities for weekly, monthly and annually submissions.
• Ensure adequate flow of information for all supervises with constant feedback as may be required.
• Carry out other relevant or requested duties as may be required

Key Result Areas

• Improvement of key project objectives, milestones and deliverables within the timeframe.
• Through strategized MPSS interventions, increased uptake of quality primary health care services and psychosocial first aid.
• Increased uptake of positive practices related to health, WASH, nutrition and hygiene.
• Timely and quality health care services to displaced persons, refugees and other vulnerable groups.
• Targeted populations are informed of their coping strategies to psychological stressors.

Key Working Relationships

• Position Reports to: Health Manager
• Indirect/Technical Reporting: Medical Doctor, Senior Health Manager and Health Coordinator
• Position directly Supervises: Incentive workers, and CHIPS agents.
• Key Internal Contacts: Country Program: Health program assistant, Senior health promotion officer, senior capacity building officers, health/RH managers, M&E
• Key External Contacts: MOH, SSH, Neuropsychiatric hospital Maiduguri, Umaru Shehu Specialist Hospital, UMTH, other INGOs (e.g., possible collaborative partners), Community leaders and health facility management team.

Qualifications
Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree or Diploma in Mental Health or Diploma in Psychiatric Nursing, or Diploma in Public or Community Mental Health directly related to the substantive area identified in the job description of the post.
• Must possess the practicing license or qualifying certificate.
• Case Management Certificate and/or Mental Health related training will be considered an asset.

Work Experience:

• Both educational backgrounds above require professional 1 - 2 years clinical mental health nursing experience, including at least one year experience in providing direct services to individuals diagnosed with developmental disabilities, mental illness, mental retardation, substance or alcohol abuse in a community or hospital-based settings. with background in Health and Nutrition, Social and Behavioral Change and communication.
• Proven experience in community-based programming with the ability to motivate and lead, health team, CHIPS/community volunteers.
• Ability to work with displaced communities with diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
• Experience in working in a team and able to lead a team.

Demonstrated Technical / Leadership / Interpersonal Skills:

• Good knowledge of clinical care especially at the PHC settings.
• Good communication skills.
• Sensitivity to cultural differences and understanding of the social, political and ethical issues surrounding program delivery
• Ability to work well with others and to respect staff, subcontractors, consultants and recipients of assistance.
• Ability to manage tight deadlines and deliver high volumes of work with minimal supervision.
• Good sense of integrity, service and accountability.
• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines.

Languages: 

• Fluent in written/spoken English and Hausa
• Ability to speak local languages (Kanuri, Shuwa etc.) will be added advantage.

Computer / Other Tech Requirements:

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint with data management. 

Standards of Professional Conduct

• The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – Code of Conduct.  These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. 
• In accordance with these values, the 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:

• IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer 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.

Working Environment 

• IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Application Closing Date
Not Specified.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online