The Organisation

Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organisation that advances children’s rights and equality for girls.

We believe in the power and potential of every child. But this is often suppressed by poverty, violence, exclusion and discrimination. And it’s girls who are most affected.

Working together with children, young people, our supporters and partners, we strive for a just world, tackling the root causes of the challenges facing girls and all vulnerable children.

We support children’s rights from birth until they reach adulthood. And we enable children to prepare for – and respond to – crises and adversity. We drive changes in practice and policy at local, national and global levels using our reach, experience and knowledge.

We have been building powerful partnerships for children for over 80 years, and are now active in more than 70 countries.

Who this position reports to:

The Clinical Psychologist reports to the Emergency Response Manager

Role Purpose:

Working in 52 developing countries across Africa, Asia and the Americas, Plan International aims to reach as many children as possible-particularly those who are excluded or marginalized – with high quality programs that deliver long lasting benefits. With funding from SIDA, Plan International is delivering Child Protection in Emergencies programming and livelihoods interventions for crisis affected people in the North West region of Cameroon.

This position is responsible for meeting with clients including staff to identify concerns —emotional, mental, and behavioral—in their lives. Through observation, interviews, and tests, the psychologist will diagnose any existing or potential disorders. Then, together with the client, they formulate a program of treatment according to the client’s needs. He/she will monitor the client’s progress on a regular basis to ensure that their needs are met by the course of action, and to adjust it if necessary. S/he shall be based in Bamenda.

Major Responsibilities:

1. Adhere to internationally recognized best practices for evidence based psychological interventions and the management of clients with mental health concerns. This includes ensuring the confidentiality and data protection of clients and respecting their decisions;
2. Conduct individual and group support sessions with children at risk or who have experienced violence, abuse and exploitation including child survivors of sexual and gender-based violence
3. Develop and implement care plans and treatment processes for clients
4. Help clients define goals and plan action to achieve personal, social, educational and vocational development
5. Provide psycho-education sessions and psychosocial support group sessions for children, youth and caregivers in coordination with the Child Protection in Emergencies program officers and coordinators
6. Identify safe and accessible spaces to carry out individual and group support sessions for children and youth
7. Complete case reports and documentation for all sessions and adequately store in a safe place

8. Monitor client progress through regular meetings or sessions according to weekly and monthly plans
9. Organize stress management team and individual sessions for Program Implementation and Influencing Area staff in coordination with Child Protection in Emergencies program officers and coordinators
10. Other duties as assigned by the supervisor

Capacity strengthening:

1. The candidate will be responsible for promoting a healthy working environment including training staff on self-care, healthy coping strategies and provide opportunities for staff care/welfare sessions.
2. Assess capacity building gaps and develop a capacity strengthening plan for the teams working in the NWSW Emergency Response.

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning: 

1. Provide monthly updates to the ERM copying concerned Project Coordinators, highlighting priorities and constraints according to agreed schedule, always ensuring data protection and confidentiality.

Child Safeguarding Responsibilities:

     1. Ensure that clients’ privacy and information is protected and kept confidential, by        never revealing the contents of therapy.

2. He/She shall ensure that clients feel comfortable, including by showing empathy and providing a safe and comfortable place to them to talk.
3. Ensure that all clients receive age and gender-appropriate services
4. The Clinical Psychologist will promote the highest standards of practice and adhere to Plan International’s Child and Young People Safeguarding Policy, Preventing Sexual Harassment, Exploitation and Abuse Policy and Code of Conduct.

Key relationships

Internal

1. ERM, CPiE Coordinator, Project Coordinators, HR and Staff- High

External

1. Other agencies and groups providing psychological support, program participants and survivors.

Qualifications:

Essential

1. Be a holder of a master’s degree in Psychology or a licensed psychologist  
2. Be able to speak English and pidgin.
3. At least 3 years practical working experience in emergency and/or with a development organization.
4. 2 years’ experience in providing mental health services
5. Knowledge and understating of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) MHPSS in emergencies guidelines
6. Good knowledge and understanding of humanitarian principles, Child protection minimum standards in Humanitarian Action is an asset.
7. Demonstrated understanding of and ability to maintain confidentiality and respect for beneficiaries;
8. Positive and professional attitude, including ability to work well in a team setting;
9. Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

 Skills and Behaviors:

1. Knowledge of psychological theory and practice.
2. Interest in how people think and behave.
3. Good research skills.
4. Ability to relate to and empathize with a range of people.
5. Good teamworking skills.
6. Excellent communication skills.
7. Sensitive listening and questioning skills

Plan International’s Values in Practice

We are open and accountable

1. Promotes a culture of openness and transparency, including with sponsors and donors.
2. Holds self and others accountable to achieve the highest standards of integrity.
3. Consistent and fair in the treatment of people.
4. Open about mistakes and keen to learn from them.
5. Accountable for ensuring we are a safe organization for all children, girls & young people

We strive for lasting impact

1. Articulates a clear purpose for staff and sets high expectations.
2. Creates a climate of continuous improvement, open to challenge and new ideas.
3. Focuses resources to drive change and maximize long-term impact, responsive to changed priorities or crises.
4. Evidence-based and evaluates effectiveness.

We work well together

1. Seeks constructive outcomes, listens to others, willing to compromise when appropriate.
2. Builds constructive relationships across Plan International to support our shared goals.
3. Develops trusting and ‘win-win’ relationships with funders, partners and communities.
4. Engages and works well with others outside the organization to build a better world for girls and all children.

        We are inclusive and empowering

1. Seeks constructive outcomes, listens to others, willing to compromise when appropriate.
2. Builds constructive relationships across Plan International to support our shared goals.
3. Develops trusting and ‘win-win’ relationships with funders, partners and communities.
4. Engages and works well with others outside the organization to build a better world for girls and all children.

Physical Environment

1. Work in an Emergency context, required to deliver under tight deadlines.

Closing Date: October 13th, 2022

Early application is encouraged as we will review applications throughout the advertising period and reserve the right to close the advert early.

Plan International believes that in a world where children face so many threats of harm, it is our duty to ensure that we, as an organisation, do everything we can to keep children safe. This means that we have particular responsibilities to children that we come into contact with and we must not contribute in any way to harming or placing children at risk. 

A range of pre-employment checks will be undertaken in conformity with Plan International’s Safeguarding Children and Young People policy. Plan International also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this scheme we will request information from 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.

Equality, diversity and inclusion is at the very heart of everything that Plan International stands for. Our organisation is based on a culture of inclusivity and we strive to create a workplace environment that ensures every team, in every office, in every country, is rich in diverse people, thoughts, and ideas.

We will provide equality of opportunity and will not tolerate discrimination on any grounds. We foster an organisational culture that embraces and exemplifies our commitment to gender equality, girls’ rights and inclusion while supporting staff to adopt good practice, positive attitudes and principles of gender equality and inclusion.