Occupational Therapist (National Position)

Position Name: Occupational Therapist (OT)

Duration: 6 months

Starting from: Feb 2024

Duty Station: Roving

Closing date of the vacancy: 31st January 2024 (applications on a rolling basis)

Context Presentation:

Un Ponte Per (UPP) is an Italian NGO established in 1991. It started its activities as “Un ponte per Baghdad”, in the aftermath of the first Gulf war, with the aim of organizing solidarity initiatives in support of the Iraqi civilian population. In subsequent years, UPP missions expanded to include Serbia and other Middle Eastern and Mediterranean countries. The NGO aims at preventing armed conflicts, protecting human rights and supporting local civil society, especially in the Middle East, by promoting the nexus between its humanitarian, peacebuilding and development programs.

General scope of the position

Under the overall supervision of the Project Manager, the Occupational Therapist (OT) is responsible for ensuring appropriate rehabilitation care to the most vulnerable individuals affected by the Syrian crisis such as people with disabilities and injuries.The Occupational Therapist (OT)will work within the framework of a project funded by the Italian Cooperation Agency (AICS): “Masahat Aamina (Safe spaces): “Spazi protetti per l’inclusione sociale e la protezione ntegrate delle persone particolarmente vulnerabili tra I rifugiati e le comunità ospitanti in Giordania”.

Job Overview/Summary

An occupational therapist (OT) is a healthcare professional dedicated to helping individuals overcome physical, cognitive, or emotional challenges that affect their ability to perform daily activities. The primary goal is to enable clients to participate in meaningful and purposeful activities, promoting independence, and enhancing their overall quality of life

UPP and partner CBO protection services in Jordan include case management; structured PSS; capacity building of service providers and local governmental stakeholders; raising awareness on GBV, child protection risks; life-skills for adolescents and caregivers and conversation clubs for women and girls with disabilities delivered directly by UPP and local partners. UPP and partners also implement complementary health/rehabilitation activities such as distributions of mobility aids for persons with disabilities, one-shot cash assistance and livelihood opportunities for the most vulnerable.

The Protection Officer will support the re-establishment and management of the protection programs of UPP and support the Project Manager in the management of the protection related activities with focus on building a capacity building curricula, monitor ProM principles and coordinate monitoring and evaluation and reporting activities of the local target CBOs.

MAIN TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Un Ponte Per is looking for one Occupational Therapist (OT) that will be responsible of the following major tasks:

Main responsibilities:

1. Develop selection criteria for people with disabilities (PwD) who may need occupational therapy.
2. Assess the functional capacities of the selected beneficiaries and identify their needs for rehabilitation and specific items, and in particular:

• Carry out a rehabilitation assessment of beneficiaries.
• Based on the assessment, make a treatment plan considering their functional needs, social situation and access to services

3. Provide a safe and effective rehabilitation intervention, which includes:

• Get informed consent of the beneficiary (or of the caregiver in case of a child) before performing the rehabilitation intervention
• Define the rehabilitation intervention’s objective with the active participation of the beneficiaries and her/his family. The session includes improving the level of independence in activities of daily life and/or modifying the activities of daily life to match the beneficiary’s abilities.
• Identify the needs of assistive tools and devices, deliver it to the beneficiaries and train them and the care giver on how to use them and take care of them.
• Provide continuous care and follow-up support to patients.
• Identify the limits of the given interventions and the needs for external referral.

4. Refer beneficiaries to other services in coordination with the case management team.

5. Prepare bi-weekly activity reports.

6. Keep track of the beneficiaries’ information by regularly updating the dedicated database

7.Other Duties:

• Participate effectively in meetings with the project staff and project manager.
• Maintain regular and clear communication pathways with the project staff.
• Update the project staff on any risks or challenges met in implementing the activities in FDA centers and provide input based on her/his observation.
• In alignment with the line manager’s approval, undertake additional responsibilities as needed, within reasonable limits and in accordance with one’s skills and experience.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor degree in Occupational Therapy or any related field or equivalent professional experience.
• Working or volunteering experience in a similar position.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Analytical and problem-solving abilities to tailor interventions to individual client needs.
• Basic computer skills including Microsoft Word and Excel.

UPP requires criminal background check certificate (released max 3 months before the date of job offer) to confirm a job offer. We are aware that in some countries the release of criminal background certificate by the competent authorities might require several weeks. Thus, we kindly ask all candidates to get prepared on time and be able to submit their certificate promptly in case of success in the selection.

DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS:

• Experience in main donors funded project (EU, UN, AICS, etc.).
• Experience in Emergency projects management.
• Knowledge of the Middle East context and relevant local actors.
• Knowledge of Italian is an asset.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

Un Ponte Per is an International NGO committed to diversity and inclusion within its teams, in line with the principle of non-discrimination. UPP encourages all candidates irrespective of gender, religion and ethnicity including persons with disabilities to apply and become part of the organization.

Ethical Conduct

UPP upholds all the minimum standards in terms of Ethical Conduct and strives to increase its standards over the minimum. Zero tolerance is reserved to Sexual Abuse and Exploitation and to Child Abuse, Violence, Harm, Injury and Negligence. By applying, any candidate assures that s/he has never breached any standard in terms of SEA and Child Safeguarding and that s/he will not in the future. For the protection of beneficiaries, communities and partners, UPP will conduct extensive reference check and vetting on shortlisted candidates, also over the contacts indicated by the candidate. Candidates are alerted that the required background check might compromise their privacy. Shortlisted candidates shall promptly provide an up-to-date criminal background check.

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All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records and terrorism finance checks. Un Ponte Per also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms his/her understanding of these recruitment procedures.