Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Specialist

The Challenge

You will be responsible for the MHPSS technical area of our programmes, including standard setting, quality assurance, operationalisation and monitoring of our care system portfolio. You’ll ensure and support the roll-out of evidence-based methodologies, best practice approaches, capability strengthening and learning, and contribute to sector knowledge and inter-agency networking. Familiar with matrix management ways of working and coordinating a team of globally based technical MHPSS Advisors, you will champion collaboration, knowledge exchange and learning to further the quality of War Child’s programming. You will also provide technical support to the organisation, including Country Offices, global programmes and WC affiliates. Your Responsibilities • Lead on the design, operationalization and monitoring of Programme Quality Standards. • Ensure technical quality assurance of War Child’s programming and implementation of best practice approaches and evidence-based methodologies. • Collaborate with programme quality advisors and technical specialists across War Child in support of an integrated approach to MHPSS, education, child protection, cash & livelihoods and youth empowerment, as well as programming that accounts for sound MEAL practices and for cross-cutting issues, such as gender, learning, and accountability & participation. • Represent programme quality and War Child in internal and external networks and bodies, driving collaboration and engaging with other teams such as Advocacy and Emergency Response. • Contribute to creating a culture committed to the safeguarding of children, and adults and compliant to War Child’s Safeguarding policies. Key Result Areas Design, Operationalization and Monitoring of Programme Quality Standards • Coordinate operationalisation of MHPSS in our programme strategy, best practice approaches, and care system portfolio. • Monitor the application & adherence to the programme strategy and programme quality. • Support programme implementation, information sharing and ensuring War Child’s methods & standards remain up to date. • Support all country and regional colleagues to apply and adhere to programme strategy and programme quality framework, providing technical expertise as required. • Ensure effective communication of global programmatic results. Technical Quality Assurance • Lead on development and implementation of MHPSS thematic strategy and the care system portfolio in close collaboration with R&D and Regional / Country office thematic advisors and PQ technical specialists. • Advise, monitor and follow up on the quality of implementation of our evidence based (MHPSS) methods. • Facilitate strengthening of Care System Portfolio methods/interventions and support integrated programming initiatives. • Lead on the programme and thematic strategy, annual plan, proposals, reports and evaluations in relation to MHPSS, in collaboration with regional and country advisors. Programme Quality Collaboration • In collaboration with MHPSS colleagues and Learning Manager facilitate and develop learning in MHPSS to strengthen the capabilities of WCH staff and/or its partners. • Lead scalable approaches to strengthen the capabilities of trainers/facilitators who are implementing our MHPSS evidence-based methods. • Promote WCH as a learning organisation and ensure priority MHPSS learning needs are mapped. • Ensure regular adoption and analysis of global MHPSS indicators. Representation of War Child and Horizontal Collaboration • Represent War Child and participate in global/ inter-agency networks and bodies that are relevant to the achievement of War Child’s mission and contribute to the implementation of their work plans. • Lead MHPSS colleagues through the strategic direction of MHPSS in an organisational change process. • Provide ad-hoc support, as relevant, to staff care initiatives related to psychosocial well-being of colleagues. • Coordinate internal MHPSS working groups, communities of practice and/or networks. • Collaborate in War Child global initiatives, coordinate the harmonisation of MHPSS in our shared care system portfolio, in close alignment with programme quality approaches across War Child. Your Profile • Relevant academic background in areas related to mental health and psychosocial support, particularly child psychology. • At least 5 years’ experience in area of expertise, of which at least 3 years experience of working in a (post) conflict setting and with the international development and humanitarian sectors. • Strong advisory and influencing skills, with a strategic thinking mindset. • Proven experience with needs assessments and programme/grant management cycle. • Knowledge of geopolitical trends and conflicts in the world. • Good working knowledge of MHPSS for education, child protection, livelihoods and adolescents & youth empowerment would be an asset. • Experience in developing methods, tools, programs/interventions, learning, development and delivering training. • Strong remote and presential coordination skills (e.g. coordination of working groups, networks, communities of practice). • Solid communicator, willing to share knowledge, best practices and experience. • Knowledge and experience in Monitoring & Evaluation of MHPSS programmes. • Sound knowledge and understanding of children’s rights. • Knowledge of decolonization and anti-racism issues and practices in humanitarian aid and development sectors is an asset. • Fluency in English required, including strong written skills. Good working knowledge of Spanish, French or Arabic are highly desirable