Roster call: certified mental health professionals (Arabic-speaking) to support IMS partners

International Media Support (IMS) is an international non-profit organisation that supports media and human rights groups in countries affected by conflict, political transition, and authoritarian rule. Established in 2001, the organisation has since then worked with hundreds of local and international partners to support independent journalism, freedom of expression and the safety of journalists.

IMS has been working with a wide range of national and regional media and civil society partners for well over a decade in the Middle East and North Africa. A component of IMS’ current programme seeks to address the need for psychological safety of media and human rights workers. IMS partners can often face a multitude of legal, physical, and personal threats. It is imperative to respond to the increasing need to address the impact that journalism and human rights work in insecure contexts can have on an individual’s health and wellbeing, and to support the resilience of both media partners and individuals.

With this call, IMS’ MENA department is seeking to establish a roster of mental health professionals with the relevant experience and knowledge to respond to partners’ needs as they arise. This will ensure IMS has several ready-to-contract candidates who can take up short assignments supporting a given partner.

General objective

Journalists, media, and human rights workers are exposed to professional, personal, and physical threats, violence, and adversity increasing the risk of developing a mental health problem. The mental health risk factors are multiple and can be related to several environmental challenges. Below are some of the risk factors faced by journalists and human rights defenders:

1. Exposure to continuous adverse information and situations.
2. Exposure to critical incidents and acute stress.
3. Social isolation and disruption in the work and personal life.
4. Organisational stress.

To mitigate the mental health problems risk factors, IMS seeks to support its local partners in regard to the duty of care to develop a staff care plan to mitigate the different challenges mentioned above for human rights and media workers in the MENA region.

Key areas of responsibilities

1. Assess the mental health needs of partners.
2. Support partners to define their mental health needs and draft a mental health and psychosocial approach and plan.
3. Deliver tailored mental health and psychosocial support remotely and/or in person through:
   • Organisational support
   • Individual and group interventions
4. Support the referral of persons experiencing acute mental health problems to trusted quality services.
5. Contribute to global reflections on how best to support the wellbeing of journalist and human rights activists in their work.

Deliverables

Upon starting an engagement with a media partner:

• Scoping note that defines the mental health intervention approach and method that will be used based on the needs assessment.
• End of mission report that reflects on the objectives of the mission, the actual support provided, and recommendations to provide quality staff care of journalist and human rights activities in the MENA region.

Qualifications and skills

• Certified mental health professionals: psychologists (clinical and /or organisational), psychotherapists or psychiatrists who have at least 5 years of experience supporting professionals working in sensitive environments.
• Knowledge and experience of mental health considerations and best practices related to the treatment of individuals affected by conflict, harassment, gender-based violence and other human rights violations.
• Experience facilitating learning and training staff and organisations on topics related to mental health.
• Native Arabic speaker (mandatory), professional English (mandatory). Mastery of any other language is an advantage.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Excellent adaptation skills.
• Creative and comfortable working remotely through safe online modalities.

Duration of assignment

The assignments will vary in duration and scope but can range from a number of intensive days to months of less intensive support depending on partners’ needs and time. Successful candidates will be included in IMS’ roster for a period of two years.