Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Coordinator

ROLE PURPOSE:

The MHPSS Coordinator will manage the implementation of a MHPSS projects in the Field office. The MHPSS project includes the training and Capacity Building of Outreach volunteers, Psychologists & field coordinators in the provision of Mental Health & Psychosocial Support activities (MHPSS), including community-based PSS, Psychological first aid (PFA), Problem management plus (PM+) and wellbeing & self care activities for frontline teams. In addition, it includes overseeing & coordinating the rolling out the life skills curriculum and trainings in Community Development Centers (CDCs).

The MHPSS Coordinator will ensure that all aspects of work are undertaken in accordance with Save the Children’s Policies and IASC standards on MHPSS.

In the event of a major humanitarian emergency, the role holder will be expected to work outside the normal role profile and be able to vary working hours accordingly.

CHILD SAFEGUARDING:

Level 3: the post holder will have contact with children and/or young people either frequently (e.g. once a week or more) or intensively (e.g. four days in one month or more or overnight) because they work country programs; or are visiting country programs; or because they are responsible for implementing the police checking/vetting process staff.

SCOPE OF ROLE:

Reports to: Area Manager

Staff reporting to this post:

Direct: MHPSS training Officer

Indirect: technical support and oversight of Outreach Volunteers, psychologists, field coordinators

Budget Responsibilities: as per SCI scheme of delegation.

Role Dimensions: Save the Children different sectors, CP Technical Advisor, Alternative Care Specialist, beneficiaries, local authorities / communities and stakeholders, partners, local and international NGOs.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

Programme implementation/management

• Plan and oversee the implementation of the MHPSS projects in the North Area Office.
• Oversee the development and implementation of the Capacity needs assessment for implementing teams
• Contribute to the development of the curriculum on evidence-based MHPSS interventions, such as PFA and PM+, as well as on self-care, targeting the Outreach Volunteers.
• Design and follow-up on the capacity building roll-out plan, coaching & supervision system (including review & adaptation of training materials & follow-up tools)
• Provide Capacity Building of Partner staff in MHPSS Package (PFA, PM+, self-care) with the support of the MHPSS training officer.
• Coordinate & Manage the implementation phase of the MHPSS projects in coordination with the focal points in partners’ organisations & the MHPSS Project Manager
• Represent Save the Children in all steering committee meetings of MHPSS program with partners
• Coordinate & Manage the MHPSS projects to meet the project objectives within budget and within the allocated time frame
• Ensure the proper implementation of the MHPSS activities through regular follow-up coaching & supervision of implementing partner staff (OVs, psychologists, coordinators, etc.)
• Ensure timely delivery of a quality programme by developing effective and operational reporting mechanisms;
• Monitor progress against projects’ log frames and implementation plan and that the team has their individual work plans developed and properly followed;
• Ensure appropriate monitoring and evaluation systems are in place and followed by the MHPSS team
• Identify areas of implementation according to fields needs through outreach activities and coordination with Partners & other cross sectoral actors;
• Contribute to donor reports and ensure that internal reporting is of quality and following Save the Children processes;
• Support the review and adaptation of MHPSS package and curriculums based on lessons learnt.

Programme design/development

• Lead the monitoring and evaluation processes of MHPSS activities;
• Feed in the design of activities according to implementation lessons learned and community feedback;
• Ensure that programme interventions continue to be informed by and integrated with other SCI core sectors such as Child protection, Education, Shelter, and Food Security and Livelihoods; and
• Regularly visit programme sites to ensure that the community at large are appropriately supported and qualitative and quantitative programme objectives are achieved.

Team management and capacity building

• Identify staffing needs and participate in the recruitment processes for MHPSS staff when required
• Take accountability of own and team’s performance and development following SCI Develop to Perform guidelines;
• Provide MHPSS staff with capacity building trainings as per performance management and needs assessments,
• Ensure that the team follow weekly work plans and develop weekly reports;
• Conduct trainings for relevant local NGOs and local authorities on MHPSS when need identified
• Ensure that all MHPSS staff are complying with code of conduct, Child Safeguarding, and other SCI policies.

Partnerships management

• Facilitate induction and training sessions, and the roll out the capacity building plans for SCI partners;
• Ensure that data is accurately collected by partners and reported according to the provided guidelines;
• Support the programme team of partner organization in implementing operational work plans and setting clear targets and activity plans per programme sites;
• Clearly communicates targets, programme objectives and activity plans to partners and focal points;
• Control and support implementation of compliance requirements; and
• Oversee and work with partner’s staff to review monthly progress reports.

External relationships/Representation

• Continuously identify and document MHPSS & other sector issues in the North
• Participate along with the MHPSS Project Manager, & MHPSS specialist in regular follow up meetings with SCI Members and donors;
• Represent SCI in coordination meetings and forums in area and be an advocate for Mental health, Child Protection, children’s right and wellbeing;
• Promote children’s participation in designing intervention plans and responses in MHPSS
• Build and maintain positive relationship with (I) NGOs, local governance structures, and relevant UN agencies.

General

• Ensure that SCI activities are implemented in accordance with SCI policies, SCI child protection strategy and national guidelines and frame works;
• Comply with Save the Children’s policies and practices with respect to child protection, code of conduct, health and safety, equal opportunities and other relevant policies and procedures.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Masters’ degree in Psychology, Social Science, Education, or other related fields;
• Fluency in written and spoken Arabic and English;

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

Essential:

• At least five years’ experience in MHPSS programming or child protection with PSS experience;
• Experience planning, facilitating and monitoring MHPSS activities
• Experience providing training & capacity building in MHPSS activities including focused interventions: Psychological First Aid, Problem management plus, staff care & wellbeing
• Experience Providing Problem Management plus as a PM+ helper (experience training in PM+ is a plus)
• Thorough understanding of multi-layered MHPSS programming & interventions
• Experience providing supervision & coaching in MHPSS
• Experience working in NGOs or in an emergency context
• Experience in projects and team management including budget management and financial skills;
• Good planning and reporting skills;
• Ability and willingness to change work practices and hours, and work in an insecure volatile context.
• Regular identification and communication of risks including mitigation measures
• Excellent training & facilitation skills
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and presentation skills.
• Prior proven track record in successful coaching & supervision;
• Experience in working with at-risk Adults, children and families and ideally experience in case management;
• Excellent MS Office skills;
• Understanding of social welfare systems and child protection mechanisms
• Understanding of MHPSS identification, referral and response systems
• Ability to analyse information, evaluate options and to plan strategically;
• Demonstrated ability to analyse qualitative and quantitative data and to develop data bases and data collection tools;
• Experience in community mobilization and in conducting outreach activities; and
• Commitment to and understanding of Save the Children’s aims, values and principles including rights-based approaches;

Desirable:

• Experience working at community level with a wide range of stakeholders;
• Prior experience in a similar position with a local or international NGO.

Additional job responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities as set out above are not exhaustive and the role holder may be required to carry out additional duties within reasonableness of their level of skills and experience.

Equal Opportunities

The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with the SCI Equal Opportunities and Diversity policies and procedures.

Child Safeguarding:

We need to keep children safe so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.

Safeguarding our Staff:

The post holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with the SCI anti-harassment policy

Health and Safety

The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with SCI Health and Safety policies and procedures.