Emergency MHPSS Coordinator – Emergency Roster

POSITION SUMMARY:

HIAS seeks experienced Emergency MHPSS Technical Coordinator to join its global external surge roster. HIAS established its emergency roster to access a pool of experienced and qualified candidates with a demonstrated background in emergency response and complex humanitarian programming.

The Emergency Technical Coordinators will be responsible for providing specialized expertise across a range of sectors/topics. This will include sector experts to provide emergency surge capacity in HIAS’ Signature Approaches as well as other areas of expertise, such as proposal writing, assessments and/or M&E, communications, among others. Additionally, if/when other sectors outside of the Signature Approaches are being considered as part of HIAS’ emergency response (including when such sectors will be implemented through partners), the Emergency Technical Coordinators will also include relevant sector experts (e.g. WASH, Food Assistance/Distribution, NFIs, Protection, etc.). The Emergency Technical Coordinators will be responsible for ensuring the quality and effectiveness of HIAS’s emergency responses for which he/she is selected and contracted/deployed. He/she will provide leadership in his/her area of expertise, and will support rapid assessments, response strategy and design, humanitarian coordination, and start-up of emergency activities where requested.

Emergency Technical Coordinators will report to the Emergency Team Lead on the ground; or, in situations in which there is no Team Lead but there is an existing HIAS Country Office, the Emergency Technical Coordinators will report into the HIAS Country Director (or his/her designated Manager). Emergency Technical Coordinators will also work closely with the Emergency Department, relevant Technical Directors, Strategy & Measurement Department, Public Affairs, and/or other HIAS departments or divisions relevant to their area of expertise.

In order to join HIAS’ emergency roster, candidates will need to apply as instructed through the website and then will undergo a shortened selection process. All roster members will be requested to keep HIAS updated as to their interest and availability to be deployed and/or remotely support on emergency responses. If/when opportunities arise that meet a roster member’s skill set, they will be contacted and will go through an expedited selection and contracting process, including salary agreement based on the role and location of the roster surge support placement. While on the roster and not working/deployed, roster members will not receive compensation or benefits of any kind, but may potentially have access to trainings.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• The primary responsibility of the Emergency Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Coordinator is to provide technical support to assessment for and development of a MHPSS programmatic response for individuals and families in emergency contexts. Additionally, the Emergency MHPSS Coordinator will provide support to existing MHPSS programs, ensuring assessment, planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting of MHPSS activities.
• Ensure safe, quality and timely assessment of individuals and family protection needs in complex emergencies and provide recommendations for program interventions in line with the Minimum Standards for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action (CPMS), to relevant stakeholders, including HIAS’ Emergency team and MHPSS Technical team.
• Ensure integrated MHPSS initiatives support and demonstrate best practice in safeguarding, inclusion, and gender mainstreaming; collaborate with families to establish child-friendly, accessible and confidential feedback and reporting mechanisms for protection concerns.
• Ensure that HIAS actions are part of a coordinated response with partner agencies. Work to improve interagency coordination, sharing of information, and promotion of MHPSS guidelines and best practices.
• Identify priority gaps in MHPSS knowledge and practice for individuals, and families in emergency contexts
• Provide technical assistance in formulating a coherent and inclusive strategy on MHPSS. Develop an emergency plan of action with budget and recommendations to support programming.
• Provide short-term MHPSS interventions as needed for individuals and families.
• Coordinate closely with internal and external actors particularly linking MHPSS, cash programming, GBV, and other protection activities for refugees, displace populations and host communities.
• Ensure that children, youth and their caregivers participate in the design and implementation of programming and that their access to services and programs is appropriate and safe
• Assist in the establishment/improvement of mechanisms for identification of populations at risk, including GBV and PSEA, and systems for referral and follow-up;
• Provide technical support and context responsive guidance on the formulation, design, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of MHPSS programs (including the provision of family-centered case management; safe and accessible referral systems; support to parents/guardians and caregivers)
• Train key community members/stakeholders in key basic MHPSS interventions (including psychological first aid and aspects of IASC MHPSS guidelines), safeguarding policies and procedures, and child protection principles and approaches so they can correctly prevent, identify, mitigate, and/or refer concerning cases.
• Represent HIAS to key donors, technical agencies, and relevant stakeholders for topics related to MHPSS.
• Advocate for the importance of integrating MHPSS and global protection minimum standards in a multisector setting.
• Participate and represent MHPSS programming in meetings with donors, working groups, and relevant humanitarian clusters.
• Document, manage, and share lessons learned, good practices, and case studies from the emergency context.
• Act as a senior member of the Emergency Team on the ground, providing leadership and expertise in his/her area of technical specialty.
• Provide technical guidance for rapid needs assessment and contribute to the development of an integrated emergency response plan, and support start-up of emergency programming where requested, working closely with HIAS’ Emergency Department, Technical Directors, and Strategy & Measurement teams (or other HIAS departments and divisions as needed), or working closely with HIAS’ existing Country Office (in contexts where HIAS already has a presence).
• Where response implementation will be conducted through partners, support the Team Lead and/or existing HIAS Country Office to assess, identify, and select implementing partners with demonstrated technical capacity to deliver quality emergency programming.
• Ensure implementation in accordance with international standards and in close coordination with HIAS’ Technical Directors and Emergency Department and contribute to monitoring and reporting of emergency activities.
• Represent HIAS in relevant coordination groups and Clusters as requested and coordinate closely with implementing partners, other international NGO’s, UN agencies, host government, bilateral and multilateral donors, and other principal stakeholders.
• Where appropriate, provide timely and accurate information to the Public Affairs team in support of Communications, Media, and Advocacy efforts around the humanitarian emergency. This will include ensuring that all information, publicity, and fundraising material recognizes and respects the dignity of those affected by disasters or emergencies.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS:

• Dynamic individual with a proven ability to achieve results in a demanding, fast-paced, and often insecure environment.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in emergency/humanitarian MHPSS work, of which at least two must be in the field in complex, challenging, and/or insecure environments.
• Demonstrated experience in a technical and/or management-level role in field-level emergency programming.
• Clear career trajectory reflecting a deep level of emergency technical expertise within his/her specific specialty area, including knowledge and understanding of the latest standards and best practices among international humanitarian and emergency actors.
• Demonstrated experience conducting rapid needs assessments and designing technically-sound programs to respond to identified needs on the ground.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement capacity building training of staff on MHPSS.
• Experience in both direct implementation as well as sub-partner management preferred.
• Experience designing programs and contributing to proposals and budgets for standard institutional emergency donors.
• Willingness to relocate for up to three months and at short notice (within 1-2 weeks).
• Ability to work well with others and rapidly adapt to new countries/contexts.
• Flexibility to work in challenging environments and with high workloads, potentially with limited mobility.
• Excellent English language skills (verbal and written) required; proficiency in additional language skills preferred.
• Education: Bachelor’s Degree required; Master’s Degree preferred.
• Completion of Hostile Environment Awareness Training (HEAT) or equivalent within the past three years preferred.

DISCLAIMER:
This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. It is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, skills required or permanent location. Location is subject to change based on programmatic needs. Flexibility is essential as we grow and develop. The successful candidate must be comfortable in a fast-paced, changing work environment with many crucial deadlines. All team members may be required to perform duties outside of their normal work hours of responsibilities as needed.

SAMPLE HIRING PROCESS:
We are committed to a fair and respectful hiring process, and we do our absolute best to respond to every applicant. We prioritize communication and transparency with all candidates, even those who are not moving forward. Here’s a snapshot of our hiring process:

Step 1: Submit your application!
Step 2: Phone screen with a Human Resources staff person.
Step 3: Interview with the hiring manager.
Step 4: Interview with a panel of HIAS employees.
Step 5: Reference check.
Step 6: Offer and background check.
Step 7: Start your professional journey with HIAS!

Note: Some of our hiring processes may vary, and not all candidates will advance to each step.

ABOUT US:
Over one hundred years ago, the Jewish community founded HIAS (originally the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society) in New York City, the immigrant gateway to America. Supporting Jews fleeing persecution and poverty in Eastern Europe, our founders were guided by the traditions, texts and history of the Jewish people—a history of oppression, displacement and diaspora. HIAS has since helped generations of Jews facing violence because of who they were, and HIAS remains committed to helping Jewish refugees anywhere in the world. Today, our clients at HIAS come from diverse faiths, ethnicities and backgrounds, as do our staff. We bring our experience, history and values to our work across five continents, ensuring that refugees today receive the vital services and opportunities they need to thrive.

HIAS is a learning community, committed to diversity and inclusion. We do our work with integrity, accountability, transparency and a commitment to the highest ethical standards. We seek employees from diverse backgrounds and life experiences to join our teams located in the United States and across the globe. People who identify as BIPOC, people with disabilities, people from the LGBTQ+ community and people with lived experiences of forced displacement or immigration are all encouraged to apply. We are committed to building a diverse workforce that reflects our vision, mission and values.

VISION:
HIAS stands for a world in which refugees find welcome, safety and opportunity.

MISSION:
Drawing on our Jewish values and history, HIAS provides vital services to refugees and asylum seekers around the world and advocates for their fundamental rights so they can rebuild their lives.

VALUES:
Welcome • Acogimiento • Hospitalité
We Welcome the Stranger

Justice • Justicia • Justice
We Pursue Justice

Empathy • Empatía • Empathie
We Approach our Clients with Empathy

Partnership • Compañerismo • Coopération
We Believe in Changing the World through Partnership

Courage • Coraje • Courage
We Act with Courage to Build a Better World

Resilience • Resiliencia • Résilience
We Adapt and Thrive, Continuously Demonstrating our Resilience

DIVERSITY:
HIAS is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, ethnic background, ancestry, citizenship status, religious creed, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, registered domestic partner or civil union status, familial status, pregnancy, childbirth, military status, protected veteran status, political orientation or other legally protected status.

SAFEGUARDING:
HIAS is committed to the protection of children, vulnerable adults and any other person from any harm caused directly or indirectly due to their coming into contact with HIAS. We will not tolerate sexual exploitation, abuse or any form of child abuse or neglect by our staff or associated personnel. Any candidate offered a job with HIAS will be expected to sign and adhere to HIAS’ Code of Conduct and Safeguarding policies. All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records. HIAS also participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job 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. Likewise, HIAS will share this information when other organizations inquire about current and former HIAS staff as part of their recruitment process. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.