This is a short-term employment opportunity with the Center for Victims of Torture in Iraq (CVT Iraq). Over a six-month period, the Psychotherapist/Trainer will co-lead efforts to strengthen and integrate specialized trauma rehabilitation, human rights, and justice-related programming to benefit Iraqi survivors of torture, sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), and other violations. To accomplish this, the Trainer will follow an established capacity development workplan that aims to strengthen and support specialized psychological services provided at a locally-run mental health center and in camp settings. Activities include assessing project progress to-date as well as remaining needs; in-person training (as feasible and subject to local public health regulations and safety precautions); clinical supervision; policy/systems development and implementation support; and self care and staff support workshops for partner team members. To minimize travel across international borders during the COVID-19 pandemic, CVT encourages applications from candidates based in Iraq.
Organization:
The Center for Victims of Torture works toward a future in which torture ceases to exist and its victims have hope for a new life. We are an international nonprofit dedicated to healing survivors of torture. We offer rehabilitation services to those who have been tortured, train partners around the world who can prevent and treat torture, and advocate for human rights and an end to torture. We are headquartered in Minnesota, and we have US offices in Atlanta and DC, as well as offices in Africa and the Middle East.
Responsibilities:
- Clinical Supervision: Provide individual and group clinical supervision to local mental health providers that includes case discussions, live supervision, co-therapy, and supervision of supervisors, with emphasis on self-care components. Assist in developing supervision systems. Design and deliver short-term training programs for counselors. Continually assess development needs of counselors and adapt training and coaching accordingly. Strengthen interdisciplinary clinical practices.
- Clinical program and systems development: Assess skill sets, systems and methods of mental health service delivery at partner center. Support capacity-building plans with measurable goals, in collaboration with partner center. Contribute to the review and evaluation of dialogue-focused programming from the perspective of trauma-informed programming. Share feedback and recommendations on ways to strengthen and further refine the dialogue model from a specialized mental health and psychosocial perspective.
- Clinical Program Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E): Collaborate closely with CVT and partner staff to fulfill the project’s monitoring and evaluation commitments. This can include: tracking activities (e.g. trainings and workshops facilitated, hours of support provided, documents reviewed or produced), monitoring progress toward workplan goals, ensuring program objectives are met, and writing regular reports regarding clinical and training activities. Participate in the implementation of internal and external program evaluation. Contribute to the co-development and implementation of activity assessments and observational competency measures. Participate in meetings and communicate directly with CVT M&E team members.
- Staff support: Assess the staff support needs of partner serving survivors of torture and gross human rights violations. Develop and deliver trainings to address these needs.
- Other Duties: Participate in other program and organization-wide activities, meetings and trainings. Complete administrative responsibilities. Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
Required education, experience, certificates, licenses or registrations
- Masters degree or equivalent degree in clinical psychology, counseling or related field
- 5 years of experience providing individual and group psychotherapy
- 3 years of experience supervising mental health professionals
Preferred education, experience, certificates, licenses or registrations
- Certification or licensure as a clinical psychologist or psychotherapist
- 6 or more years of experience providing individual and group psychotherapy
- 5 years of experience supervising mental health professionals
- 1 or more years of experience in transitional justice, peacebuilding or related field
Competencies (knowledge, skills and abilities)
- Fluency in English.
- Proficiency in Arabic, Kurdish (Kormanji) and/or other relevant local or regional languages preferred but not required.
- Extensive experience providing psychotherapy to adults, children, adolescents, families and survivors of SGBV.
- Extensive experience working with locally-run NGO partner organizations operating in low-resource and/or post-conflict settings.
- Understanding of and extensive experience implementing culturally appropriate mental health interventions, including individual, group and community-based approaches for people – particularly minorities – who have suffered torture, trauma, and historical persecution.
- Understanding of and experience developing curricula and providing training for mental health counselors on counseling approaches, sensitization on the effects of trauma and war, and designing interventions.
- Experience developing manuals and other written materials for capacity building.
- Experience supporting organizational staff to maintain personal and professional well-being and to manage job stress and vicarious trauma.
- Awareness and sensitivity to cultural, political, social and economic contextual factors.
- Skilled at working as a member of a team.
- Experience working in a cross-cultural humanitarian context, preferably in the Middle East
- Demonstrated flexibility to adapt to changing program requirements, client needs, and political climate
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Office suite (Outlook, Word and Excel)
- Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communications skills
- Experience resolving differences in a respectful, inclusive, and collaborative manner, and willingness to understand others' perspectives
- Excellent skills in organization, attention to detail and time management.
- Experience working with interpreters
- Ability to ride by car on difficult roads for up to 3 hours per day
- Interest in or commitment to human rights, justice, and accountability
How to apply:
To Apply: Submit resume, cover letter and salary expectations to http://cvt.simplicant.com/