Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Delegate- Libya

Organizational Context

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with a network of 191-member National Societies. The overall aim of IFRC is “to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by National Societies with a view to preventing and alleviating human suffering and thereby contributing to the maintenance and promotion of human dignity and peace in the world.” IFRC works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises.

IFRC is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (Movement), together with its member National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The work of IFRC is guided by the following fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.

IFRC is led by its Secretary General, and has its Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The Headquarters are organized into three main Divisions: (i) National Society Development and Operations Coordination; (ii) Global Relations, Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalization; and (iii) Management Policy, Strategy and Corporate Services.

IFRC has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment and other forms of harassment, abuse of authority, discrimination, and lack of integrity (including but not limited to financial misconduct). IFRC also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles.

Devastating Storm Daniel struck north-eastern Libya on September 10, 2023, unleashing record rainfall and causing widespread destruction. The coastal city of Derna bore the brunt of the storm, with its dams succumbing to heavy damage, leading to catastrophic flooding that submerged neighborhoods and claimed the lives of 4,352 people. Over 8,000 remain missing, and 43,400 have been displaced. The storm compounded existing challenges in Libya, including complex population movements, a strained healthcare system, and food insecurity. Despite progress towards stability, Libya faces an arduous path to recovery, requiring international support to address the multifaceted humanitarian crisis.

IFRC launched an Emergency Appeal for Libya on September 14, 2023, to provide immediate life-saving assistance and long-term recovery and resilience planning. The appeal is coordinated on a regional level and is supported by the Libya Delegation and the Surge delegates in the country. IFRC and the Libyan Red Crescent Society (LRCS) are integrating their capacities to provide a coordinated crisis response. Operations are led and coordinated on a country-level by the operation Manager. IFRC provides technical and financial support to LRCS to implement this Emergency Appeal, including important interventions in the area of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS), in particular community-based activities.

Under the direct supervision of the Health Coordinator, and with a technical reporting line to the Regional MHPSS Senior Officer in Beirut, the MHPSS delegate will be of part of the IFRC Country Delegation in Libya and will coordinate closely with the Regional MHPSS Senior officer to share experiences and best practices.

Job Purpose

The Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Delegate in Libya is responsible for developing the MHPSS capacity of the National Society (NS), specifically within Psychological First Aid and Caring for Staff and Volunteers, and institutionalizing that capacity within the NS’s structures and strategies to ensure sustainability.

The MHPSS Delegate will be responsible for the successful implementation of activities under the IFRC Storm Daniel emergency appeal in Libya. Responsibilities include providing technical support to the NS to be able to achieve its commitments under the funding instruments. Tasks include assessing MHPSS needs, developing workplans, organizing and conducting trainings, monitoring project implementation, ensuring strong Monitoring & Evaluation plans in place for sound data collection, impact documentation and sharing of lessons learnt within the organization. The MHPSS Delegate will collaborate with other RC/RC Movement partners in Libya as well as external MHPSS working groups and stakeholders.

In support of the operation, the MHPSS Delegate implements and monitors MHPSS activities and ensures that they are reflected in the Emergency Plan of Action (EPA) and the country plans, including budgets, according to needs. The MHPSS Delegate works closely with the Health Coordinator, the Operations Manager for Libya and the regional MHPSS Senior Officer to guarantee that MHPSS needs are met in the immediate response through safe, high quality, effective and appropriate interventions. This includes direct support to MHPSS program implementation that builds upon health system strengthening and NS capacities, and accountability to affected populations.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Act as the technical advisor and resource on MHPSS for LRCS and the IFRC Operations team in Libya.
• Support MHPSS capacity strengthening of LRCS, including mentoring of NS staff dedicated to MHPSS activities.
• Work with LRCS focal points to further develop and implement the overall MHPSS strategy and training plan for Libya.
• Support LRCS staff in the development and implementation of Storm Daniel emergency operation. This includes reporting tasks and budget oversight, according to internal and donors’ procedures, in close coordination with the Health Coordination and the Operations Manager for Libya.
• Contextualization the MHPSS packages of tools, intervention approaches and capacity-building curriculums to local context to guide LRCS on how it can provide community MHPSS services.
• Continue implementing, and facilitating trainings and workshops for managers, staff, and volunteers, based on existing IFRC standard trainings on MHPSS. Help develop structural follow up support and refreshers for previously trained individuals.
• Collaborate with the LRCS to establish frameworks and strategies for supporting staff and volunteers’ well-being.
• Ensuring monitoring, evaluation, and reporting on LRCS MHPSS activities of the emergency operations, by directly engaging and/or by promoting and overseeing the monitoring activities of the NSs in the operational region in close collaboration with the PMER staff and country delegation.
• Strengthen the mapping of referral pathways in Libya. Guide the development and use of standardized templates, a safe data recording system and procedures for follow up of referrals. Ensure that LRCS staff and volunteers are trained on safe referrals for MHPSS and related issues.
• Engage and coordinate with Movement partners and external stakeholders on MHPSS program for LRCS to ensure inter-agency alignment and joint MHPSS initiatives.
• In coordination with the IFRC MENA Regional Office, take part in strategic planning processes to drive MHPSS forward and highlight the MHPSS efforts from LRCS.

Education

• University degree in relevant discipline (Medicine, Psychiatry, Psychology, Social Sciences). –Required
• Advance/Postgraduate degree in relevant discipline. –Preferred
  IMPACT / Delegate’s Basic Training Course or equivalent knowledge. –Required
• Documented participation in relevant MHPSS trainings. –Required
• Relevant professional training courses (Red Cross/Red Crescent related, humanitarian and development sector, management, etc.). –Preferred

Experience

• Experience in implementing Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) activities for at least 5 years. –Required
• Minimum of 3 years work experience with the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement, including time in the field and with a National Society. –Preferred
• Demonstrated strong capacity in building and institutionalizing MHPSS capacity in a National Society or another humanitarian organization (strategy development, focal point mentoring, etc.). –Required
• Experience in planning and conducting MHPSS trainings, e.g., Psychological First Aid, MHPSS in Emergencies, Setting up Child Friendly Spaces as well as Caring for Staff and Volunteers trainings. –Required
• Experience of mainstreaming and integrating MHPSS activities across other humanitarian sectors, such as Shelter and Cash programming. –Required
• Experience of working in humanitarian emergency situations. –Required
• Demonstrated project management experience (reporting, budgeting, monitoring, etc.) including PMER for MHPSS (data collection, Monitoring & Evaluation plan development, impact measuring etc.). –Required

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

• Strong knowledge of information sharing tools, and the ability to implement them. –Required
• Highly organised, excellent time management skills. –Required
• Advanced skills in computer productivity applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook). –Required
• Deep understanding of MHPSS issues in emergencies contexts. –Required
• Knowledge of a cultural background of targeted communities in current crisis. –Required
• Outstanding personal resilience and experience from working in stressful situations. –Required
• Excellent communication and active listening skills. –Required
• Demonstrated skills in analytical and strategic thinking. –Preferred

Languages

• Fluent spoken and written Arabic and English. –Required
• Good command of another IFRC official language (French, Spanish). –Preferred

Competencies, Values and Comments

• Values: Respect for diversity; Integrity; Professionalism; Accountability
• Core competencies: Communication; Collaboration and teamwork; Judgement and decision making; National society and customer relations; Creativity and innovation; Building trust

IFRC ensures equal employment opportunities.