MHPSS & GBV Assessment Consultant (Honduras & Guatemala)

POSITION SUMMARY:

HIAS seeks a consultant to conduct a rapid MHPSS & GBV assessment for displaced populations and communities in Honduras and Guatemala affected by violence, natural disaster and forced migration –this includes internally displaced, returnees, migrants, refugees, host communities, and others.

The goals of this assessment are: 1) To understand the mental health and psychosocial and gender-based violence issues and experiences in affected communities, including explicit attention to women, adolescent girls, and LGBTQ+ and 2) to understand the existing network(s) of support and landscape of women’s rights organizations and other groups supporting the well-being of affected communities, including GBV survivors, women, girls, adolescent girls, and LGBTQ+.

Information from the assessment will be used to inform current programming, determine HIAS’ added value in establishing new programs and services, and ensure that program design is relevant to the needs and experiences of communities, including women, adolescent girls, and LGBTQ+. The consultant will work in close coordination with the Country Director for HIAS, LAC Regional Office and HIAS partners on the ground, with support from the technical team.

OVERALL OBJECTIVES:

• Assess the risks and protective factors that influence GBV for women, girls and LGBTQ+ in Honduras and Guatemala. Listen directly to women, girls, LGBTQ+, and other vulnerable community members to understand their risks, needs, support systems, and ideas from their perspectives.
• Identify the risk factors and protective factors that influence mental health status for community members in Honduras and Guatemala. Explore the existing community strengths, coping mechanisms and resources that can be reactivated or strengthened to respond to heightened levels of distress, including both formal and informal sources of support.
• Identify and map the current MHPSS and GBV services available and local responses (including strengths and gaps of existing networks and services).
• Identify other protection gaps facing marginalized communities, including indigenous areas in both locations. For example, investigate how impacts of climate change linked to migration from the Dry Corridor, the aftermath of 2020 Eta and Iota, the COVID-19 pandemic, and intercommunal violence/gang activity have affected the safety and wellbeing of women, girls and LGBTQ+, and other vulnerable individuals. The consultant will need to understand the perceived and identified needs among community members.
• Identify possible referral pathways for GBV and MHPSS services
• Determine HIAS’ value add responding to the crisis, complementing current services. Propose possible responses to address each need/problem identified, including how to make sure the support given meets with local and international standards.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES:

• Design the MHPSS & GBV needs assessment methodology guide in Spanish and English. This should outline the sampling approach for adequate representation, align with the required information from institutional donors such as BHA and the UN and ethical and quality standards for MHPSS and GBV assessments, and center the voices of affected populations.
• Seek out and meet with national and international organizations currently providing services to migrants and asylum seekers, including women’s rights organizations, CBOs, etc, in coordination with HIAS Honduras Country Director and HIAS’ partner, FUNADEH. In particular, meet with FUNADEH to understand the protection, MHPSS and GBV landscape and to discuss best practices learned from engaging with the community in the GENESIS project.
• Provide a report of information, insights and recommendations. The report should be clearly structured, document and analyze the findings, conclusions and recommendations. The report will include partner mapping and recommendations, needs assessment of the targeted population, gap analysis, target geographic recommendations, current MHPSS and GBV process and gaps, and the donor landscape.

DELIVERABLES:

• Detailed workplan for the assessment in each country.
• Completed Assessment Guide and tools in Spanish and English.
• Weekly debrief with corresponding progress report outlining progress made, notes, high-level findings, etc. (frequency may change as needed)
• Detailed Assessment report for each country, (including background/context, findings, analysis, recommendations, all relevant annexes)
• Summary Report (3-5 pages excluding list of organizations consultant met with), including top line briefing to share with donors and external audiences.
• Mapping of GBV and MHPSS service providers as well as partner meetings.
• Initial concepts targeting USAID/BHA, PRM, ECHO and UNHCR for humanitarian intervention based on assessment reports.
• Final verbal debrief to HIAS Programs team and Honduras CD and HIAS LAC Regional Office.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS:

• Have at least 5 years of relevant MHPSS and GBV experience, including demonstrated understanding of IASC guidelines
• Relevant experience in project assessment and/or evaluation, including analysis and report writing assignments.
• Demonstrated grounding in the principles of gender equality, gender equity, and intersectionality, and MHPSS/GBV ethical standards and ability to apply this in practice to the work
• Previous experience working directly with marginalized populations, including migrants and asylum seekers. Experience with trauma informed service provision preferred.
• Demonstrated understanding of potential risks related to forced migration and sexual and physical violence.
• Commitment to HIAS values and the rights of women, girls, and LGBTQ+
• Prior experience working in the northern triangle context preferred; Candidates from the region strongly encouraged to apply
• Spanish and English fluency required.

SAMPLE HIRING PROCESS:

We are committed to a fair and respectful hiring process, and we do our absolute best to respond to every applicant. We prioritize communication and transparency with all candidates, even those who are not moving forward. Here’s a snapshot of our hiring process for consultancies:

Step 1: Submit your application!

Step 2: Video interview with the hiring manager.

Step 3: Offer and background check with Shield Screening.

Step 4: Start your professional journey with HIAS!

Note: Some of our hiring processes may vary, and not all candidates will advance to each step.

ABOUT US:

Over one hundred years ago, the Jewish community founded HIAS (originally the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society) in New York City, the immigrant gateway to America. Supporting Jews fleeing persecution and poverty in Eastern Europe, our founders were guided by the traditions, texts, and history of the Jewish people – a history of oppression, displacement, and diaspora. HIAS has since helped generations of Jews facing violence because of who they were, and HIAS remains committed to helping Jewish refugees anywhere in the world. Today, our clients at HIAS come from diverse faiths, ethnicities, and backgrounds, as do our staff. We bring our experience, history, and values to our work across five continents, ensuring that refugees today receive the vital services and opportunities they need to thrive.

HIAS is a learning community, committed to diversity and inclusion. We do our work with integrity, accountability, transparency, and a commitment to the highest ethical standards. We seek employees from diverse backgrounds and life experiences to join our teams located in the United States and across the globe. People who identify as BIPOC, people with disabilities, people from the LGBTQ+ community, and people with lived experiences of forced displacement or immigration are all encouraged to apply. We are committed to building a diverse workforce that reflects our vision, mission, and values.

VISION:

HIAS stands for a world in which refugees find welcome, safety, and opportunity.

MISSION:

Drawing on our Jewish values and history, HIAS provides vital services to refugees and asylum seekers around the world and advocates for their fundamental rights so they can rebuild their lives.

VALUES:

Welcome • Acogimiento • Hospitalité • Hachnasat Orchim

We Welcome the Stranger

Justice • Justicia • Justice • Tzedek

We Pursue Justice

Empathy • Empatía • Empathie • Chesed

We Approach our Clients with Empathy

Partnership • Compañerismo • Coopération • Chevruta

We Believe in Changing the World through Partnership

Courage • Coraje • Courage • Ometz

We Act with Courage to Build a Better World

Resilience • Resiliencia • Résilience • Ruach

We Adapt and Thrive, Continuously Demonstrating our Resilience

DIVERSITY:

HIAS is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. As an equal opportunity employer, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, ethnic background, ancestry, citizenship status, religious creed, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, registered domestic partner or civil union status, familial status, pregnancy, childbirth, military status, protected veteran status, political orientation, or other legally protected status.

SAFEGUARDING:

HIAS is committed to the protection of children, vulnerable adults and any other person from any harm caused directly or indirectly due to their coming into contact with HIAS.We will not tolerate sexual exploitation, abuse or any form of child abuse or neglect by our staff or associated personnel**.** Any candidate offered a job with HIAS will be expected to sign and adhere to HIAS’ Code of Conduct and Safeguarding policies.All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records. HIAS also participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. Likewise, HIAS will share this information when other organizations inquire about current and former HIAS staff as part of their recruitment process. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.