Clinical/Health Psychologist
Honiara, Solomon Islands
AVI has negotiated this assignment in good faith with the Host Organisation, and the information
contained was correct at the time of acceptance of the request. However, while AVI takes
responsibility for matters under our direct control, all assignments and arrangements are subject to
change due to the inherent low levels of predictability in developing country environments. This
assignment may be amended or withdrawn to reflect changes in circumstances.
General Details
Assignment Title
Clinical/Health Psychologist
Host Organisation
Ministry of Health and Medical Services
Duration of Assignment
18 months
Start Date
26thJanuary 2016
Pre-departure Briefing Date
2nd – 5th September
AVI Assignment Code
10533721
Host Organisation Overview
Integrated Mental Health Services (IMHS) is one the many divisions within the Ministry of Health and
Medical Services (MHMS). It is categorized under public health programs and is responsible to undersecretaries of health care and health improvement and responsible for mental health programs
throughout the country.
The mental health executive oversees the plans and directions of the mental health services which
reports to the MHMS national executive. This is headed by the permanent secretary.
IMHS Vision
Mental Health of the people of Solomon Islands will be improved through greater access to specialists
and primary mental health care worker and by inter-sectoral collaboration for mental health promotion
and prevention at the national, provincial and community level.
Objectives
1. To coordinate the continuing development of mental health services in the Solomon Islands, with an
emphasis on community–based care within a primary health care frame work.
2. To integrate mental health care with general health care and with social welfare and community
programs.
3. To improve access to specialist and primary mental health care across the country.
4. To reduce the individual, family and community burden associated with severe mental illness through
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early detection and referral, effective treatments and rehabilitation.
5. To increase community awareness and understanding of mental disorders and reduce their social
stigma.
6. To promote mental health though collaborative sectoral and intersectoral initiatives.
Assignment Overview
The current mental health services at national and provincial levels have been built up around a small
core of trained psychiatric nurses and one psychiatrist. The national arm includes a 20-bed National
Psychiatric Unit (NPU) in Auki, a 4-bed Acute Care Unit at the National Referral Hospital (ACU/NRH)
and the Integrated Mental Health Service (IMHS) headquarters at the MHMS. Both clinical facilities also
provide outpatient services but there is very little community mental health activity other than general
community awareness
The headquarters is responsible for policy and planning, monitoring and evaluation and human
resource development. The provincial programs have developed with little direction, support or
supervision from headquarters, in terms of service development or clinical care.
This role is part of AVI’s Health Program in the Solomon Islands. The focus is on capacity development
of health staff in situ.
Assignment Objectives
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To increase the capacity of mental health staff in relation to psychological work
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To improve client outcomes through the provision of psychological management practice
Duties and Responsibilities of the Volunteer
In consultation with their line manager and relevant stakeholders, volunteers complete a work plan in
the first three months of their assignment. The duties below are an indication of the type of work that
may be involved in meeting the Assignment Objectives:
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Assessment and diagnosis
Treatment and intervention
Health prevention and promotion
Counselling
Teaching and supervision
Assignment Information
Line Manager
National head of Integrated Mental Health Services/Consultant Psychiatrist
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Staff Supervision
The volunteer will work alongside the mental health team and provide some supervision to training
students
Hours & Days of Employment
From
8.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday
The expectation is that the volunteer will work the equivalent of a 5-day week to a maximum of 40
hours per week.
Leave Entitlements
Same conditions and terms as local colleagues apply, including national holidays. However, as a
minimum, volunteers will accrue 1 week of leave for each 3 months of work.
Other Conditions
The volunteer may also at times accompany mental health touring team to other parts of the country or
away from their duty station thus require working at odd days and hours
Language Skills and Level Required
Medium level Solomon Island Pijin is beneficial for work
Language Support
AVI provides language support during the in-country orientation period. Most often additional resources
for further development later in the assignment will be available if required.
Living as a Volunteer
In recent years the Solomon Islands has been divided by ethnic tension and violence. In 2003 the
Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI) was deployed to help the Solomon
Islands Government restore law and order. The mission, called ‘HelpemFren’ was successful in
restoring security across the country enabling people to go about their lives free from the fear of
violence and intimidation.
Despite recent conflicts, the people of the Solomon Islands are warm and friendly, many living a
lifestyle almost unchanged for hundreds of years. It is a fascinating country with more than 80 different
languages and incredible marine and terrestrial biodiversity. The third largest archipelago in South
Pacific, the Solomon’s comprises 992 islands.
The influence of Christianity has had a greater impact on society and people than other institutions.
Missionaries managed to curb ancestor worship to some extent but non-Christian beliefs still persist
and coexist with Christian concepts. The churches play a very strong role in communal life, especially
in rural areas. Virtually every village has a church building or leader and prayer or church services are
held once or twice a day, and 95% of the population are professed Christians.
The volunteer will be living in Honiara, which is the urban centre of the country
Shopping options:
The local market is great for fresh fruits and vegetables. Supermarkets in Honiara also stock other
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limited goods; canned, frozen, etc. However goods are expensive and not available all the time.
Social and recreational:
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Multi-purpose gym (Honiara); Circuit classes, Yoga classes
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Pacific Casino Gym (Honiara)
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Heritage Park Hotel gym (Honiara)
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Swimming at various Hotel pools and beaches, pay for access to them all
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Tri Club meet at Kakabona 6am on Tuesdays and Thursdays
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Diving and snorkelling (lots of places)http://mundadive.com/home.htm
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Hiking and bush walking (lots of places)
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HHH (Hash House Harriers) meet Monday nights between 5-6pm at various locations in Honiara
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Join a sports club – soccer, basketball, AFL, netball
Allowances & Support
These allowance levels are based on the Cost of Living in country. They will be reviewed periodically
and may increase or decrease. Volunteers will be given notice of any change to the allowance level.
Living Allowance
Accommodation Allowance
$1100 AUD per month
$900 AUD per month
Housing
Housing will not be provided by the employer.
As housing in Honiara is quite expensive many volunteers choose to share.
AVI will assist the volunteer to find suitable accommodation during the in country orientation program.
Other Allowances & Support
All AVID Volunteers receive the following:
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Pre-departure Briefing in Melbourne
In-country Orientation on arrival
Pre-departure vaccination expenses
Visa expenses
Pastoral care, assignment monitoring and security guidance
Return airfare to country of assignment
Psychological and medical advice and support services
Re-entry support services
Settling in allowance (assignments longer than 6 months)
Re-settlement allowance (assignments longer than 6 months)
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Preparing Your Application
Personal Circumstances Constraints
We are NOT able to accept applications from people with the following personal circumstances due to
security, cultural, legal or visa restrictions in this location.
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Same sex partners who wish to accompany applicants as part of the AVID program
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Applicants with partners to whom they are not legally married and who wish to accompany
applicants as part of the AVID program
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Applicants with criminal offences including recent DUI.
Selection Criteria
Please begin by writing your responses to the following three questions, in a document headed Response to Selection Criteria:
a. Why do I feel that volunteering overseas is the right thing for me to be doing at this time in my life?
(up to half a page)
b. What are the biggest personal adjustments I’m likely to have to make to be accepted as a useful
colleague and engaged community member in this assignment? (up to half a page)
c. How do I match the Essential Skills & Experience: Write a brief summary of your most relevant
experiences, results and achievements responding to each criteria in the Essential Skills & Experience
section of the Assignment Description.
To find out more details about preparing your application, please visit:
http://www.australianvolunteers.com/volunteer/application-process/
To find out more details about the personal competencies required to be a volunteer, please visit:
http://australianvolunteers.com/volunteer/have-you-got-what-it-takes/
Qualifications, Essential Skills & Experience
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Degree in clinical/Health Psychology or related field
Current state registration as a practising Psychologist
Extensive experience working alongside people with a mental health history in a hospital
setting
Experience teaching and providing on the job training
Demonstrated ability to work as part of an interdisciplinary team.
Desirable Skills & Experience
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Experience working cross culturally with limited resources
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How to Apply
All applications must be submitted online. If you haven’t already done so, you will need to register on
our website prior to applying.
Once completed, please visit www.australianvolunteers.com, log in, select the assignment you are
interested in and follow the prompts at the end of the page.
This assignment is part of the Australian Volunteers for International Development program,
an Australian Government initiative. www.australianaidvolunteers.gov.au/
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