Job Description

RIGHTS Project: Inclusion, Accessibility & Opportunities for the

Differently Abled in Tamil Nadu

TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR ENGAGEMENT OF

Psychologist - - One Stop Social Care Service Centre

1.

BASIC DETAILS

TENKASI -I) KADAYANALLUR II) M.N. NALLUR


Duty Station

CHENNAI- I) SHOLINGANALLUR II) TEYNAMPET


TENKASI -2 (Two)


No of Engagements

CHENNAI- 2 (Two)


Language


English & Tamil


Required/preferred


Duration of Contract 24 months (Renewable subject to performance)


Reporting Officer Centre Manager-OSC

2.

BACKGROUND

i.

As per the Census (2011), Tamil Nadu is the sixth most populous state in India


with a population of 72 million, which includes a proportion (1.63 per cent) of


Differently Abled Persons (DAPs) with disabilities compared to the national


average of 2.21 per cent. A study that used pooled data from the District Level


Household Survey-4 (2012-13) and Annual Health Survey 2nd updating round


(201213) reveals that there are 4550 differently abled persons amongst every


100,000 population in Tamil Nadu, thereby indicating a much higher prevalence


of disability in comparison to the census data. Therefore, if one goes by the


estimates of this recent study, about 3.2 million people in Tamil Nadu would live


with some form of disability. Moreover, even these estimations appear on the


lower side, significantly since the definition and type of disabilities have changed


to include a larger population group since the promulgation of the Rights of


Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016

ii.

Differently Abled Persons face multiple socio-economic constraints, including


poorer health outcomes, lower education levels, limited economic participation,


and higher poverty rates than persons without disabilities. They often experience


exclusion and barriers in accessing health services, education, employment,


transportation, information, care, and rehabilitation services. Furthermore,


households with disabled members are more likely to experience material


hardships-food insecurity, poor housing, lack of access to safe water and


sanitation, and inadequate access to healthcare. Thus, these limitations and


barriers hinder their full and effective participation in society and affect the


country's productive potential, the human capital. To increase human capital and


reduce the achievement gap among people with disabilities, a coordinated and


comprehensive package of interventions appears warranted for addressing the


individual and community contexts at multiple and systemic levels.

iii.

Tamil Nadu has always been a pioneer in the implementation of welfare schemes


for all sections of socially disadvantaged groups. Through its various initiatives


and schemes, the Department for the Welfare of the Differently Abled (DWDAP)


has extended full support to the differently abled people in their pursuit of full and


equal involvement in every aspect of society. The DWDAP is mainly responsible


for all administrative, statutory and service delivery functions, which are


implemented through its well-experienced workforce at the state, district and local


levels. The thrust areas of the DWDAP are prevention and early interventions,


special education, employment & vocational training, social security


(maintenance allowance, travel concession, assistance to NGOs), aids &


appliances, and barrier-free structure. Recently, DWDAP conducted a pilot project


in a few blocks of the state and has identified a need for a multi-sectoral, whole-



government, and capacity-building approach to care and rehabilitation of the


differently abled.

iv.

The RIGHTS Project focuses on three pillars: first, promote

inclusion

of all by


ensuring that persons with disabilities participate equally with others in any


activity and service intended for the general public, such as education, health,


employment, and social services; second, improve the

access

of specialised


programs by investing in specific measures for quality care, rehabilitation and


support services; and third, provide

opportunities

for persons with disabilities for


completion of education, skills training and market-linked employment


opportunities. However, to manage the project at the proposed scale, substantial


efforts would be required to build the current institutional capacity of the DWDAP


at all levels in terms of field units for administration, service delivery, supervision


and monitoring, along with the autonomous capacity.

v.

The project would be managed through the Directorate for Welfare of the


Differently Abled (DWDA), led by the Project Director (PD) RIGHTS project


cum Director DWDA, in the future also referred to as PD, and would have a


team of consultants. District Project Implementation Unit in each district will


oversee the activities at the district level headed by District Differently Abled


Welfare Officer (DDAWO). It will have a team of District Project Officers.

vi.

To provide the overall process coordination of successful delivery of the


RIGHTS project, the DWDA for its RIGHTS PROJECT is seeking an interested


and qualified person to be engaged as a

Psychologist

in the One Stop Social


Care Service centre in each sub-division during the project implementation.

3

i

OBJECTIVES AND SCOPE

Under the supervision of the Centre Manager- OSC, the incumbent will be


responsible for the well-being of DAPs related to psychological issues.


Psychologists can help people learn to cope with stressful situations,


overcome addictions, manage their chronic illnesses, and tests and


assessments that can help diagnose a condition or tell more about the way a


person thinks, feels, and behaves

ii

The roles nd responsibilities of the Psychologist are as follows.


Interact closely with identified DAPs and their family members to assess their


individual concerned as well as to develop insight into themselves and their


relationships.


Help DAPs and their family members to engage in purposeful activities or


occupations to promote, regain or maintain health and well-being.


Help DAPs and their family members cope with their decline in overall health


and assist them with specific disorders like depression/stress, as well as


changes in ability or lifestyle, family struggles and other stressors.


Develop treatment plans based on individual needs to increase ability of


beneficiaries to carry out activities or occupations independently, and with


more confidence.


Collect information about DAPs and their family members through informal


interviews, observations, and appropriate tests.


Communicate with the DAPs and their family members to retrieve information


with a motive to get hold of the root cause of the problem.


Train the caregiver/Family members on counselling and positive mental health.


Ask about events and situations in the life of the DAPs to read the state of their


mind.


Organize mental exercises/ games/ tasks to know the mental status of DAPs.


Listen to the issues of DAPs with patience.


Treat DAPs and their family members with dignity and respect


Counsel/ advise/ mentor DAPs and their family members on creating and


maintaining coping mechanisms for late life stress.


Responsible for progression of mental health and mental wellbeing of DAPs


in the centre


Conduct workshops/ activities in consultation with Subdivision Officer for


Differently Abled to enable them to mingle with the surroundings and help


them restore their comfort.


Need to travel in mobile unit for psychological assessment of DAPs and their


family members and provide counselling as when needed.


Need to deliver tele consultation for DAPs as per schedule.


Any other relevant task/ activity as assigned by the Subdivision Officer for


Differently Abled.

4

REPORTING AND REVIEW

The Psychologist will report to Centre Manager -OSC.

5

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE

The Psychologist requires dynamic, experienced, and analytical professionals with


demonstrated experience in programs related to disability.

i)

Psychologists should possess a valid full-time master's degree in Psychology


(Counselling/Behavioural/Clinical) from UGC recognized University. Experience


candidates who worked with DAPs will get preference.

ii)

Minimum 3 years post-qualification experience in areas relating to service delivery


for persons with disabilities, particularly in care, support, and rehabilitation services


is preferred

iii)

Demonstrated understanding of centre-based rehabilitation activities related to


counselling and psychology

iv)

Candidate having certification from Rehabilitation Council of India would be given


preference


Preference will be given to Differently Abled Person and their family members

6.

Skills Required

Technically sound on knowledge about human behaviour & performance,


individual differences in ability, personality, and interests, learning and


motivation, psychological research methods and the assessment and treatment


of behavioural and affective disorders


Well verse with principles, methods and procedures for diagnosis, treatment,


counselling, and guidance.


Candidate with knowledge of group behaviour and dynamics, societal trends


and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, and cultures would be desirable.


Be able to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions.


Must be a good listener and capable to identify and understand the ideas being


presented by DAPs and their families.


Excellent verbal and written communication in Tamil and English is required.


Computer proficiency and good knowledge of MS-office, or equivalent


computer applications are required.

ii)

Good computer skills in MS Office: Word, Excel, and PPT

iii)

Good written and verbal communication skills and report writing skills in English


and Tamil.

iv)

Ability to work in teams and liaise well with others.

7.

Remuneration

i)

The remuneration for the Psychologist - OSC would be Rs.35,000 per month. The


project will cover the travel expenses additionally as per actuals. The Psychologist


will be located at Subdivision level OSC during the contract period. The


Psychologist may require travel as per Project requirements.

ii)

Psychologists must attend OSC on all working days unless on an official tour


approved by Centre Manger - OSC. The Psychologist may also be required to


attend office or travel in mobile unit for assessments on holidays as and when


desired by PD/DPIU/SPIU/other higher officials for disposal of urgent matters.

However, no extra remuneration for attending the office on holidays will be

paid.