Mental Health Practitioner

Position Type: Full time, exempt (not eligible to receive overtime pay)
Target Start Date: 1 October, 2023 
Compensation: Commensurate with experience 
Location: UPA Office, Gaza
Reports to: Program Coordinator / Clinical Supervisor

Position Summary:

The Mental Health Practitioner supports UPA's Healing through Feeling Program by providing training, awareness sessions, consultations, and psychotherapy to children and caregivers in kindergartens in the Gaza Strip, following the Trauma-Informed Care System approach. This position works under the general supervision of the Clinical Supervisor, reports to the Program Coordinator and collaborates closely with other UPA staff members.

The MHP will be responsible for the following tasks:

1. Implement Trauma-Informed Care System approach in all activities.
2. Participate in the assessment and selection of kindergartens within the Gaza Strip, based on UPA's criteria.
3. Conduct observations and needs assessments for preschool children's social systems.
4. Coordinate the implementation of trauma-informed care approach sessions with partners, such as kindergartens and community-based organizations.
5. Deliver psychoeducation sessions for children's caregivers in kindergartens and other institutions that interact with children.
6. Implement interventions in kindergartens based on the Trauma-Informed Care System approach.
7. Assist in preparing and developing training materials for caregivers' sessions.
8. Provide specialized psychotherapy interventions for children and caregivers.
9. Offer psychological consultations and counseling for caregivers in kindergartens.
10. Develop and disseminate mental health awareness materials (posts, videos) via the Healing through Feeling Facebook group and other social media platforms.
11. Identify and refer cases with multiple needs to the UPA case manager.
12. Attend and participate in professional development opportunities, including group and individual supervision and training.
13. Provide professional supervision for Mental Health Support staff.
14. Document data related to trauma-informed care activities, such as psychoeducation sessions and consultations, and submit supervision reports to the clinical supervisor each semester.
15. Support capacity building for the support team.
16. Conduct Trauma-Informed Care System training for staff and caregivers at local NGOs.
17. Any other tasks and duties related to the role as requested by supervisor.

About UPA

UPA empowers Palestinians to improve their lives and communities through socially responsible and sustainable programs in health, education, and community and economic development.

United Palestinian Appeal (UPA) www.upaconnect.org is a 501(c) (3) New York-registered non-profit organization, with headquarters in Washington, DC, and works in the occupied Palestinian territories and refugee camps in Jordan and Lebanon. Established in 1978 by Palestinian-American professionals, UPA was conceived as a non-political, non-sectarian organization that would help Palestinians meet their relief and development needs.

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• Holding a finsihed degree of the High diploma in Community Mental Health or master’s degree in Mental Health.
• A minimum of 2 years of work experience in a similar field.
• Adherence to mental health field ethics and guidelines.
• Very good knowledge and experience in mental health topics and interventions.
• Very strong training skills and group work experiences.
• Psychotherapy working knowledge and experience with adults and children.
• Psychological assessment and diagnosis knowledge and experience.
• Excellent communication skills, both internally and externally.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Proficiency in English and Arabic, both verbally and in written form.
• Team player with flexibility and adaptability to change.
• Solid organizational skills, including attention to detail and multitasking abilities.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).

To apply, please do the following:

Submit a two-page resume, one-page cover letter, and a copy of your finished educational degree to [email protected] with the subject: “Mental Health Practitioner”

Fill out the following form: https://forms.office.com/r/MC5spN6Jke

The deadline for this application is 12 midnight on Saturyda, September 30.