Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Coordinator

Position Title: Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Coordinator

Duty Station: Kaiserslautern, Germany

Classification: Professional Staff, Grade P3

Type of Appointment: Fixed term, one year with possibility of extension

Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible

Closing Date: 10 October 2023

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations, and as the leading UN agency in the field of migration, works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.

IOM is committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment. Read more about diversity and inclusion at IOM at www.iom.int/diversity.

Applications are welcome from first- and second-tier candidates, particularly qualified female candidates as well as applications from the non-represented member countries of IOM. For all IOM vacancies, applications from qualified and eligible first-tier candidates are considered before those of qualified and eligible second-tier candidates in the selection process.

For the purpose of this vacancy, the following are considered first-tier candidates:

1. Internal candidates
2. Candidates from the following non-represented member states: Antigua and Barbuda; Barbados; Botswana; Cabo Verde; Comoros; Congo (the); Cook Islands; Dominica; Fiji; Grenada; Guinea-Bissau; Holy See; Iceland; Kiribati; Lao People’s Democratic Republic (the); Madagascar; Marshall Islands; Micronesia (Federated States of); Namibia; Nauru; Palau; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint Lucia; Seychelles; Solomon Islands; Suriname; The Bahamas; Tonga; Tuvalu; Uzbekistan; Vanuatu

Second-tier candidates include:

All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states.

Context:

IOM’s operations cover diverse thematic areas such as: Humanitarian Relief Assistance, Protection (including Gender based Violence and Child Protection), Shelter and Non-food items, Health, Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS), Resettlement, and Movement Management.

Under the overall supervision of the Overall Site Coordinator and the direct supervision of the Assistance Programme (AP) Coordinator and in close cooperation with relevant units at Headquarters (HQs) such as the Mental Health, Psychosocial Response and Intercultural Communication Unit, and the Country Office’s Senior Policy and Programme Officer, the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Coordinator will be responsible and accountable for the following:

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Manage and oversee the implementation of the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) and Community Engagement (CE) components of the programme.
2. Manage and supervise the work and performance of the MHPSS and Community Engagement teams.
3. Provide technical guidance to relevant units of the Assistance Programme, to implementing as well as external partners in adherence to the project scope and activities. Develop, establish, and ensure the continual review and adaptation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), referral pathways and other guidelines relevant for Mental Health, and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS), and community engagement strategies in close collaboration with the protection coordinator.
4. Develop and and implement capacity building activities for staff in line with the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) Guidelines for MHPSS in emergencies and the IOM Manual on Community-Based MHPSS in emergencies and displacement.
5. Establish a sound Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) framework for the MHPSS programme and ensure the quality of provided interventions throughout. Ensure and strengthen close coordination and liaison with governmental and non-governmental counterparts, and other relevant entities as well as health service providers as appropriate.
6. Respond to information requests and develop further strategies based on emerging and identified needs in the MHPSS and community engagement domains on site.
7. Ensure capacity building of staff and relevant stakeholders, to address gaps in technical skill sets related to provision of Psychosocial First Aid (PFA), MHPSS, community engagement and non formal education as well as referrals to MHPSS activities; enhance knowledge and understanding of complex sensitivities that arise in such group settings over a period of time. Coordinate closely with the Protection Coordinator and Protection From Sexual Exploitation And Abuse And Sexual Harassment (PSEAH) Officer to ensure all MHPSS staff are trained on protection matters and referral pathways.
8. Ensure proper documentation of every activity of the project including regular reporting to the donor as required in the donor agreement.
9. Ensure the consideration, integration and mainstreaming of cross-cutting issues related to gender, age, and vulnerabilities in the programme.
10. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in Psychology, Social Work, Social Sciences, Anthropology or a related field from an accredited academic institution with five years of relevant professional experience; or
• University degree in the above fields with seven years of relevant professional experience.

Experience

• Experience in designing and managing MHPSS programmes in emergency contexts.
• Experience in providing MHPSS in emergency contexts as well as in mainstreaming psychosocial approaches into different sectors of the emergency response.
• Experience in coordination and the provision of community-based MHPSS approaches that are customized to address a range of vulnerabilities across diverse groups and are adapted to a specific context in place.
• Experience in clinical supervision of mental health professionals and social workers is an asset.
• Participation to IOM corporate programme in Psychosocial Interventions in Emergency and displacement will be considered an asset.
• Experience working with migrants, refugees, internally displaced persons, victims of trafficking and other vulnerable groups.
• Prior work experience with international humanitarian organizations, non-government or government institutions/organization in a multi-cultural setting.

Skills

• Knowledge and experience in facilitating training and developing curricula.
• Proven interpersonal and teamwork skills.
• Demonstrated leadership skills and proven ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with persons of diverse cultural and national backgrounds.
• Excellent communication and report-writing skills.
• Knowledge of protection principles and IOM policies and procedures is an advantage.
• Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Languages

IOM’s official languages are English, French, and Spanish.

For this position, fluency in English is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of German, Dari and/or Pashto is an advantage..

Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

1 Accredited Universities are the ones listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database (https://whed.net/home.php).

Required Competencies:

Values – all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these five values:

• Inclusion and respect for diversity: Respects and promotes individual and cultural differences. Encourages diversity and inclusion.
• Integrity and transparency: Maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.
• Professionalism: Demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.
• Courage: Demonstrates willingness to take a stand on issues of importance.
• Empathy: Shows compassion for others, makes people feel safe, respected and fairly treated.

Core Competencies – behavioural indicators level 2

• Teamwork: Develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.
• Delivering results: Produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner. Is action oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.
• Managing and sharing knowledge: Continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.
• Accountability: Takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own actions and delegated work.
• Communication: Encourages and contributes to clear and open communication. Explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.

Managerial Competencies – behavioural indicators level 2

• Leadership: Provides a clear sense of direction, leads by example and demonstrates the ability to carry out the Organization’s vision. Assists others to realize and develop their leadership and professional potential.
• Empowering others: Creates an enabling environment where staff can contribute their best and develop their potential.
• Building Trust: Promotes shared values and creates an atmosphere of trust and honesty.
• Strategic thinking and vision: Works strategically to realize the Organization’s goals and communicates a clear strategic direction.
• Humility: Leads with humility and shows openness to acknowledging own shortcomings.

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link.

https://www.iom.int/sites/default/files/about-iom/iom_revised_competency_framework_external.p df

Competencies will be assessed during a competency-based interview.

Other:

Internationally recruited professional staff are required to be mobile.

Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.

This selection process may be used to staff similar positions in various duty stations. Recommended candidates endorsed by the Appointments and Postings Board will remain eligible to be appointed in a similar position for a period of 24 months.

The list of NMS countries above includes all IOM Member States which are non-represented in the Professional Category of staff members. For this staff category, candidates who are nationals of the duty station’s country cannot be considered eligible.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances. Subject to certain exemptions, vaccination against COVID-19 will in principle be required for individuals hired on or after 15 November 2021. This will be verified as part of the medical clearance process.

Vacancies close at 23:59 local time Geneva, Switzerland on the respective closing date. No late applications will be accepted.