Specialist, Mental Health & Psychosocial Support, Ultra-Poor Graduation (UPG)

Job Description

Title: Specialist, Mental Health & Psychosocial Support, Ultra-Poor Graduation (UPG)

Company Name: BRAC

Vacancy: --

Age: Na

Job Location: Anywhere in Bangladesh

Salary: --

Experience:

• At least 2 years
• The applicants should have experience in the following business area(s): NGO

• Masters

• Masters in Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Counselling or Education Psychology or relevant discipline from any recognised University.

• At least 2 years
• The applicants should have experience in the following business area(s): NGO

• Proven assessment, planning and intervention skills

• Good communication and facilitation skills with different stakeholders

• Documentation and reporting skills

• Clear understanding on psychosocial intervention, disability inclusion, disability and poverty dynamics, geographical and community contextual understanding, different cultural norms and behaviors etc.

• Competent on independent individualized comprehensive intensive psychosocial assessment, plan and intervention

• This position is open for Bangladeshi nationals only.

• Minimum of 2 years’ relevant working experience required.

BRAC is an international development organisation founded in Bangladesh that partners with over 100 million people living with inequality and poverty globally to create sustainable opportunities to realise potential.

BRAC is the pioneer of the Graduation approach, a globally recognised holistic solution to curb extreme poverty. Since 2002, BRAC`s flagship, the Ultra-Poor Graduation program, has reached more than 2.2 million households in 48 districts of Bangladesh and supported them to sustainably break the poverty trap. Join us at BRAC to build an inclusive society free from the clutches of extreme poverty. It`s not just a job but a platform to drive real changes for those who need it the most. Be a part of the journey.

Working at brac is not like any other job. It is a platform where you can bring about real change for people who need it the most. We are not just dreaming of a better world, we are building it. Join us to find the way.

Job Purpose

• Contribute to the sustainable graduation of targeted ultra-poor persons with disabilities in the respective zone and regions by identifying their psychosocial and mental health support needs.

• Designing and implementing holistic interventions which includes enhancement of their mental capacity, self-stream, enterprise and role-engagement, life skills, also ensuring access to essential services through appropriate referrals. In addition, the role involves providing capacity development and technical support to frontline staffs and educating caregivers, family and community for strengthening the overall effectiveness of the planned interventions.

Key Responsibilities

• Support and coordinate with branch teams to ensure appropriate screening and inclusion of ultra-poor households with disabilities during the participant selection process.

• Identify persons with disabilities from selected households in line with the Rights and Protection of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2013, in collaboration with rehabilitation experts and conduct in-depth assessments to identify mental health and psychosocial support needs of ultra-poor households and persons with disabilities.

• Develop individualised intervention plans and support branch teams in implementing and monitoring these plans. Provide individual, family, and group counselling/therapy sessions for persons with disabilities, caregivers, family members, and surrounding community members.

• Facilitate psychiatric referrals, coordinate treatment adherence, and ensure recovery through co-planning of medication management and meaningful occupational engagement. Monitor implementation of interventions and track case progress through structured follow-ups and documentation.

• Conduct community-based awareness and advocacy sessions with stakeholders, service providers, institutions, and local government to promote disability inclusion and reduce stigma, in collaboration with OPDs.

• Contribute to the preparation of follow-up plans, livelihood/ business plans, and rehabilitation strategies in collaboration with Programme Organisers and Rehabilitation Experts, based on psychosocial needs.

• Contribute to the design, adaptation, and facilitation of training modules/ learning packages for UPG staff, caregivers, and community stakeholders on inclusive livelihood and MHPSS topics.

• Facilitate training/capacity building sessions with field staff on disability inclusion and psychosocial support within the poverty cluster (eg; UPG, IDP WASH etc.)

• Participatory capacity gaps assessments/Identification of front-line staffs and prepare tailored training/on job coaching and mentoring plans for them (Suborno-Sathi, Programme Organiser, Branch Manager etc.)

• Contribute to necessary programme reporting by providing timely and quality online/offline inputs from the MHPSS perspective. Provide relevant data and updates for weekly, monthly and quarterly reports.

• Maintain accurate online (soft)/offline (hard) participant files, including psychosocial assessments, intervention plans, progress notes, and case studies.

• Establish and maintain referral pathways with health centers, psychiatric services, rehabilitation providers, and other specialized services to ensure comprehensive care. Collaborate and coordinate with other technical, operational, and support departments of BRAC, as well as external service providers, and community-based organizations for integrated service delivery.

• Ensure participation of persons with disabilities in UPG programme activities. Identify, address and take necessary initiative for Disability mainstreaming within the programme operation system.

SAFEGUARDING RESPONSIBILITIES

• Ensure the safety of Programme Participants, people who come into contact with the organisation and team members from any harm, abuse, neglect, harassment and exploitation including sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) to achieve the programme`s goals of safeguarding implementation. Act as a key source of support, guidance and expertise on safeguarding for establishing a safe working environment.

• Practice, promote and endorse the issues of safeguarding policy among team members and ensure the implementation of safeguarding standards in every course of action.

• Follow the safeguarding reporting procedure in case any reportable incident takes place and encourage others to do so.

• Festival Bonus, Health and Life Insurance, Contributory Provident Fund, Gratuity, Maternity/ Paternity Leave and others as per policy.