Group Support Consultant(s)

Beirut blast:

On August 4, 2020, a massive explosion caused by 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate stored at the port, hit Beirut and led to the destruction of large swaths of the capital. Dozens of nearby buildings collapsed or were severely damaged. Broken glass and debris could be seen two miles away, encompassing an area where more than 750,000 people live. The damages were compounded by the destruction of key supplies stored in the port area, including Lebanon’s national wheat silo, which was destroyed. The silo contained essential grain reserves including wheat, corn, and barley. Lebanon is dependent on imports to satisfy around 85%of its food needs.

The country was already in a precarious food security situation, as inflation has seen the cost of goods skyrocket throughout 2020 and importers have struggled to secure enough dollars in the cash strapped country to pay for their imports. The blast came at a sensitive time for Lebanon, which is struggling through a severe economic and public health crisis since October 2019. Latest reports by WHO reveal that the death has reached to 178 and 6568 casualties.

Karantina is a low-income area located in North-East of Beirut. It is considered one of the most vulnerable districts of Beirut. This area has long hosted several displaced populations coming from different areas and backgrounds including Armenians, Palestinians, Lebanese from different regions of the country, a stateless population (known as Arabs, some were granted Lebanese citizenship in the 1990s,) migrant workers, and most recently Syrian refugees. This influx of displacement and migration led the area to be one of the most diverse in the city of Beirut.

Karantina witnessed several massacres and direct wars during the civil war which is still negatively affecting the population’s mental health and causing many to relive the older days. The Beirut blast forced some people to revisit their previous suffering, especially those who had relatives, parents or siblings die during the civil war. It also negatively impacted the younger generations and caused PTSD and other mental health issues.

Emergency response to ensure access to health and psychosocial support and to combat the COVID 19 epidemic for the population affected by the explosion at Beirut port in Lebanon:

After a rapid assessment conducted by MDM and as a response to the Beirut Blast, Médecins du Monde has been conducting, since August 7, MHPSS interventions (home consultations and follow up, awareness sessions, Psychological First Aid (PFA) sessions, integrated mental health services in partnership with AMEL mobile clinic) in Karantina, which is one of the areas most affected by the explosion. In addition to that, a team of mental health specialist has been providing remote MHPSS interventions through the helpline and awareness sessions at the Community Mental Health Center (CMHC) in Rafik Hariri University Hospital (RHUH).

MDM opened a small mental health center in Karantina providing mental health services, psychosocial services and case management for all nationalities and ages, in addition to COVID19 awareness sessions. MDM professionals are conducting activities through individual and group sessions like peer support groups for children and parents.

MDM professionals are providing:

• Staff care sessions to all humanitarian workers (Front liners, health care provider, team leaders…).
• MH home visit services for specific cases that are unable to go outside their houses (those who are disabled or have exceptional status).
• Mapping of services and referral mechanism for other services not provided by MDM.
• A Nurse who is providing Covid19 protective measures awareness sessions for individuals or in small groups.

The consultant(s) will work to provide group sessions to community members. After MDM staff conducted focus group sessions, a need was found for members of the community to be given group sessions to help target specific topics that affect their mental health wellbeing. The aim of these sessions is to support community members following the explosion in Beirut, and to provide training sessions to identified focal points from within the community, who can continue to maintain these group settings and act as mobilizers. The consultant(s) will also work in training MDM staff members on specific topics.

Location: Karantina, Lebanon

Duration of the collaboration: From February 2020 to July 2020  

DESCRIPTION of the ASSIGNMENT

-To provide punctual support to the mental health department from MdM Lebanon in the development and implementation of MHPSS group support.

-To develop a curriculum and implement it within group sessions to community members.

-To identify and train focal points within the community according to the curriculum prepared.

In coordination with the team on the field, these sessions will be delivered to members of the community. The sessions’ aim will be to enhance their mental health and wellbeing while also bringing members from different parts of the area together. The sessions will target all ages, genders and nationalities.

Missions / Tasks:

It is expected from the consultant(s) to:

• Design, develop and/or adapt a curriculum, taking into account what has been done by the mission already.

Topics:

• Dealing / coping with trauma
• Self-care
• Stress management
• Anger management
• Time management
• Communication skills/ social cohesion (parent/children)

Target groups:

• Children
• Adults
• Elderly
• MDM Mental Health Staff

• Facilitate group support sessions to community members according to the prepared curriculum

• Identify and train community leaders and MdM MH staff.

Deliverables:

• Group support curriculum
• Group support reports

Your profile:

• Licensed Psychotherapist.
• Experience in conducting group support sessions or group therapy
• Experience in designing curriculum on mental health topics
• 3 - 5 years’ work experience in a Mental Health Psycho-social support (MHPSS)
• Very good knowledge of written and spoken Arabic and English. (French is a plus)
• Good computer skills (Microsoft Office)
• Good analytical skills
• Good communication and teamwork skills

RECRUITEMENT PROCESS

Documents to submit:

• A technical proposal including:

• an appreciation of the terms of reference
• the topics selected for the consultancy
• the technical approach developed and the detailed methodology
• the provisional working plan, and an estimate of required staff time in working days
• References to similar previous works

• A financial proposal including:

• the total financial quotation (including tax) incorporating the budget allocation (fees, living expenses, transportation, interpreter, etc.)