Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Capacity Building Senior Officer

Background/IRC Summary:

The Syria crisis is often described as the worst humanitarian catastrophe since the end of the Cold War. Today, 13.4 million people in Syria – more than half of the country’s population – are in need of humanitarian assistance with needs increasingly being exacerbated by economic decline. Of these, 6.8 million are refugees and asylum-seekers who have fled the country. This is no short-term humanitarian episode. The devastating human consequences to huge numbers of people will endure for decades. The destruction of relationships, communities, livelihoods, homes and infrastructure will take years to repair.

IRC is offering a robust humanitarian response to the Syria crisis a rapidly expanding portfolio, supported by more than 1000+ staff in Syria Country Program. IRC is undertaking programs in Syria and the neighboring countries of Turkey, Iraq, Lebanon and Jordan in the fields of health, child protection, early childhood development, education, women’s protection and empowerment, non-food items and food distribution, cash assistance, water and sanitation, protection and rule of law, and livelihood programming. Our work in these challenging settings gives rise to some of the most pressing issues facing contemporary humanitarian action, including questions of access, security, funding and coordination.

Job Overview/Summary:

The MHPSS Capacity Building Senior Officer is responsible for the overall technical oversight of quality MHPSS services for the health program. The Mental Health Sr. Officer will provide technical support and supervise MHPSS services provided in the Raqqa governorates additionally the MHPSS Sr. Officer She/he will review existing systems and structures within the IRC’s MHPSS services and align procedures and efforts across technical areas, using the WHO/ UNHCR mental health gap action program (mhGAP) training and operational guidelines.

The MHPSS Capacity Building Snr. Officer will also work closely with the Child Protection (CP), Women’s Protection and Empowerment (WPE) and Protection Rule of Law Programming (PRoL) to ensure appropriate referral and follow up system is in place. They will develop standard operating procedures for the provision of psychosocial support and psychiatric care, as well as support and psychoeducation in individual, group and community-based settings. MHPSS services will be specific to the needs of girls, boys, women, and men, and will be informed by an understanding of cultural norms around mental health, gender roles, violence against women and girls, and the neglect, exploitation and abuse of children and other vulnerable refugee groups. The MHPSS Capacity Building Snr. Officer will report to the MHPSS Manager.

Responsibilities:

Under the supervision of MHPSS Manager, the MHPSS Capacity Building Senior Officer will undertake following responsibilities:

• Support in designing and implementing of inclusive MHPSS capacity building plans at the field level, including coaching and on-the-job training.
• Identify individual training needs and ensure access to training and professional development resources appropriate to their skill gaps/needs.
• Oversee the adaptation and development of training packages and the execution of capacity building plans for MHPSS staff, and partner organizations.
• Provision of MHPSS technical support to mental health, community health teams as well as IRC partner organizations.
• Provide training on the identification and management of priority mental health cases to MHPSS staff in line with WHO/UNHCER mhGAP Intervention Guidelines (IG) 2.0.
• Develop a system for following up with the IRC mhGAP trained General Practitioners (GPs) to monitor the quality of services delivered and oversee the coordination with PHCC staff in the designated locations.
• Assist in developing and ensuring integrated data collection tools are used across health teams; with a special focus on referrals and follow up using the IASC MHPSS RG referral tool.
• Works in collaboration with the Integrated Protection to ensure regular and consistent referrals to the health teams and clinical care of complex cases is provided. And facilitate Protection clients’ access to mental health services.
• Conduct/participate in mental health and psychosocial needs assessment among the affected populations. This will include assessments consistent with IASC guidelines and MHPSS WHO assessment toolkit, at different stages of program planning and implementation.
• Support response to the identified needs by providing training for specific psychosocial groups and individual level interventions/ activities (adapted and appropriate to each one’s specific needs and capacities).
• Assess partner’s learning using a series of mentorship tools and support the GBV case managers to assess partner’s field-based teams.
• Ensure pre-and post-tests, and training evaluations are documented, analyzed, and sent to training participant supervisors.
• Write clinical reports and case studies related to MHPSS when it`s required.
• Support the MHPSS Manager in program reporting, supervision of donor files and monitoring of activities.
• Conduct Peer Support sessions for the MHPSS field staff in coordination with the MHPSS Manager and the Psychiatrists in the team.
• Lead usual updating of Service Mapping by the MHPSS field team.
• Participate in program meetings for strategic planning and evaluation.
• Conduct regular and specific monthly supervision meetings with MHPSS Counselor Assistants, using supervision tools and raise monthly supervision report to the MHPSS Manager.
• Support field staff in making interpectoral referrals, where appropriate.
• Monitor ongoing care plan development with special attention to safety issues and stabilizing the clients from the effects of high-risk factors (domestic violence, suicide, self-harm,,,,, etc.).
• Ensure that all regular standing meetings and sessions (weekly and monthly) keep to the same agreed time each week/month.
• Liaise with relevant program staff to organize the logistics for meetings, sessions, and trainings Coordination, Monitoring and Learning.
• Submit regular feedback report to the MHPSS Manager and MHPSS Technical Advisor and Follow up on the MHPSS indicators.
• Ensure data related to case management and referrals are managed in a safe and ethical way, respecting Data Protection policy and case management principles.
• Coordinate closely with other sectors and organizations to ensure clients mental health and psychosocial needs are met as per the IASC guidelines.
• Ensure strong coordination with other programs and NGOs for effective implementation of the internal and external referral pathway.
• Update and maintain training tracker for donor reports.
• Participant in the monthly procurement plans, share it with the line manager, and raising field needs to administrative officers, including following up the needed psychotropic medications and their quantities.
• Frequent travel to field sites in camps and other locations as needed.
• Maintain regular communication and schedule regular visits to the partner offices to ensure consistent relationships, up to date information, and ongoing two-way feedback is being provided and received.
• Conduct regular observation and monitoring of activities and share recommendations to improve the quality of program implementation.

Staff Performance Management, Learning & Development

• Hiring, supervising, and building the MHPSS team members capacities in relevant technical and management competencies.
• Coach, train, supervise and mentor direct-report staff, including communicating clear expectations, setting annual performance objectives, providing regular and timely positive and constructive performance feedback, and providing documented semi-annual performance reviews.
• Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable MHPSS Counselors to successfully perform in their positions.
• Approve and manage time, attendance and leave requests to ensure adequate departmental coverage; ensure monthly, accurate timesheet submission and carry out probationary reviews.
• Hold high-quality meetings with each direct report on a regular and predictable basis, minimally on a monthly basis.
• Provide a measurable development plan including on-the-job learning with the aim of strengthening technical capacity, exchanging knowledge within the team and providing guidance on career paths.
• As required, identify staff performance issues and work with Human Resources to document and address these in accordance with the National Staff Employment Policies.
• Promote and monitor staff care and well-being. Model healthy work-life balance practices. Support appropriate interventions in response to identified staff care needs of the team members.
• Look for opportunities to support staff in their career growth, where appropriate. As part of succession plan and nationalization goals, identify, train and develop capability and capacity of the team members successfully transition role and responsibilities, by end of assignment.

Required Experience/qualification/Skills:

• A university degree in psychology or counselling with psychotherapy, clinical and/or counselling psychology work experience.
• Minimum of 3-6 years of relevant work experience in psychosocial support/psychology, in clinical and/or direct practice settings.
• Knowledgeable in and has used the IASC MHPSS guidelines and best practices as part of their previous work experience.
• Experience in clinical supervision, training and/or coaching others.
• Experience in assessment, program design, evaluation and technical training and supervision using WHO’s mental health gap action program (mhGAP).
• A minimum of (1) year of team management experience is desired.
• Demonstrated capacity to lead a team (organize, plan, and oversee).
• Extensive experience designing and rolling in training to diverse audiences.
• Strong experience in training with good facilitation skills and ability to organize and implement training on sensitive topics.
• Experience working with partners to implement programming.
• Demonstrated capacity to perform well under pressure with overlapping deadlines in a challenging environment.
• Solid understanding of case management and survivor-centered care in humanitarian settings.

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

• Demonstrated organizational, management and reporting skills.
• Strong communication skills demonstrated ability to liaise with partner organizations strong written and oral communication skills, with ability to communicate effectively with different types of people.
• Works well in teams and promotes teamwork, flexible and able to handle pressure and conflict well in a calm and constructive manner.
• Must be capable of applying their skills and knowledge in a range of capacities, including direct implementation, advisory functions, training and the transfer of technical knowledge and management skills to others.
• Ability to work under pressure with competing priorities and deadlines.
• Strong problem-solving skills with ability to be flexible, adaptable, and creative in a challenging and fast-moving multicultural environment.
• A commitment to IRC’s mission, vision, values and IRC Way – Professional Code of Conduct.
• Validated sense of professional discretion, integrity, and ability to handle complex situations diplomatically and to effective resolution.
• Excellent management and interpersonal skills and a solid ability to promote harmonious/cohesive teamwork, in a cross-cultural context.
• Curiosity, a desire to continually learn and develop.
• Analytical ability in creating effective solutions to complex matters while adhering to labor laws and internal policies.

Language/Travel:

• Arabic and English are required.
• Travel: 60% to field sites (IRC health facilities in Raqqa) as well as attending regional and global workshops and meetings, if required.

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to: MHPSS Manager
Position directly supervises: MHPSS Officers

Indirect Reporting (If applicable): Snr. Health Manager, and MHPSS Technical Advisor.
Key Internal Contacts:

Key External Contacts:

Professional Standards: IRC staff must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way – Global Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability and Equality. In accordance with these values, IRC operates and carries out policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti-Workplace Harassment, Respect at Work Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

Returning National Candidates: We strongly encourage national or returning national candidates to apply for this position. If you are a citizen of the Country in which this position is based and are currently located outside of your home country and possess over two years of international work experience, the Middle East Region has introduced an attractive remuneration package. The package includes competitive compensation, return flight to post, shipping allowance, temporary housing and a relocation allowance. Certain restrictions may apply. IRC strives to attract, motivate and retain qualified national staff in our programs.

Accountability to Clients: IRC staff must adhere to the commitment of contributing to the sustainability and development of its (CR) Client Responsiveness Mechanisms, preserving the culture of prioritizing the needs of our clients and affected communities by systematically listening to their perspectives and using their feedback to make programmatic decisions and give them greater influence over program design and delivery.

Gender Equality: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances.

Diversity and Inclusion: at IRC MENA, we are passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. Organizations that are diverse in age, gender identity, race, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability, ethnicity, nationality, and perspective are validated to be better organizations. More importantly, creating a safe workspace environment where everyone, from any background, can do their best is the right thing to do. So, bring your whole self to work.

IRC is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, respectful and safe work environment where all persons are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. In keeping with our core values of Integrity, Service, Accountability and Equality, IRC strives to maintain a work environment built on mutual respect in which all individuals treat each other professionally, and free of bias, prejudice, and harassment. IRC expressly prohibits and will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or bullying of IRC Persons in any work setting. All IRC staff, wherever they are located, are accountable for creating an environment free of discrimination, harassment, bullying, and retaliation.