MHPSS Program Delegate, Lebanon and Yemen

Are you a MHPSS professional with proven program management experience, preferably from the Middle East? Then this might be of interest for you and you of interest for us. We offer a 2-year position based with our Lebanon Team in Beirut – covering both Lebanon and Yemen.

Danish Red Cross (DRC) has been present in Lebanon since 2013, initially in response to the regional crisis caused by the war in Syria but more recently also in response to the dramatic deterioration of the humanitarian situation caused by the economic collapse, in the country, affecting all population groups. The DRC Lebanon team supports the host National Societies (NSs) through which all programs are implemented. In Lebanon, the Host National Society is the Lebanese Red Cross (LRC), while the Palestine Red Crescent Society has a branch in Lebanon (PRCS-L) which the DRC Lebanon team is also supporting with both health and Psychosocial (PSS) interventions.

The purpose of the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Program Delegate for Lebanon and Yemen is to support the partners (Lebanese Red Cross (LRC), Palestinian Red Crescent, Lebanon Branch (PRCS-L) and Yemen Red Crescent Society (YRCS) strengthen their ongoing MHPSS activities and to identify areas of possible improvements and expansions, as the needs for MHPSS is significant in both countries.

The position will be based in the DRC country office in Lebanon with travels to Yemen as often as possible. Access to Yemen is restricted by numerous factors and large parts of the support to YRCS will be on a remote support modality. It is envisaged that the support for the two countries will be 50% – 50% with visits to Yemen being a high priority when possible. Coordination meetings with the MHPSS delegate and the two country Managers are envisaged to take place every month to agree on workplans and priorities.

All three National Societies have longstanding experience with MHPSS programming using different approaches and modalities. The delegate will support all three partners review their interventions ensuring that lessons learned from the covid-19 pandemic is considered to future proof the interventions.

Main responsibilities:

The overall objective for the MHPSS Delegate will be to develop a strong working relationship with the National Societies, enabling timely implementation of existing programs, ensuring the quality of the projects, while new program areas and funding opportunities are explored. In addition to:

• Support NS identifying, planning, and implementing MHPSS and PGI activities incl. quality assurance of MHPSS and PGI activities.
  • Promote the application of NS-DRC developed tools in project activities
  • Technical support to the roll-out of focused MHPSS community interventions, incl. the Children’s Resilience Programme.
  • Support the establishment of referral mechanism for specialised MHPSS and protection services.
  • Support the development of MHPSS Action Plans with clearly defined objectives, incl. a training and implementation plan, reporting and monitoring & evaluation systems
  • Provide mentoring and on-the-job training to staff at HQ and branch levels in both countries.
  • Support the roll out of Caring for Staff and Volunteers.
  • Conduct project progress monitoring, including field-visits if the security situation allows and assist in developing and revising yearly and quarterly adjusted action plans
    • Contribute to DRC reporting cycle including ensuring quality of MHPSS indicators, data collection and analysis and reporting on MHPSS and protection activities-
    • Strengthen NS capacities in programme monitoring, reporting and evaluation within MHPSS and PGI.
    • Identify operational challenges and propose solutions/ adjustments in dialogue with NS and DRC Country Manager.
    • Ensure project progress and implementation according to plans and in line with donor requirements including narrative and financial reporting for MHPSS and PGI interventions.
    • Support to consolidating, standardizing, and streamlining existing MHPSS activities.
      • Advise and support on development of relevant guidelines, frameworks, and programmes.
      • Support relevant assessments, development of concept notes and project documents.
      • Support NS to strengthen the MHPSS unit and portfolio incl. development of sustainable structures, filing systems, information sharing and documentation of the outcomes of MHPSS interventions.
      • Ensure regular contact with relevant technical working groups and support NS engagement and participation.
      • Promote, support, and facilitate NS partners in establishing/maintaining relations with relevant MHPSS stakeholders, including MHPSS working groups in both Yemen and Lebanon.
      • Participate in the MHPSS and protection coordination meetings and technical working groups and establish networking links with key internal and external MHPSS and protection stakeholders in Yemen and Lebanon as relevant.
      • Maintain close coordination and communication with relevant Movement partners for MHPSS in Yemen and Lebanon, including ICRC, IFRC and National Society partners.

Experience and qualifications:

Required:

• A minimum of 5 years of relevant experience providing PSS training, supervision and development of training materials and manuals.
• Proven practical experience in Psychosocial Support Programming (PSP) in the field.
• General project cycle management experience as well as report writing for humanitarian response operations.
• Experience in capacity-building of local partners, particularly in PSP, ideally within the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement.
• A minimum of 5 year’s working experience on humanitarian response in an international setting.
• Experience and skills in mapping and analysis related to MHPSS and protection
• Experience and skills in training and mentoring staff and volunteers in MHPSS and protection
• Experience in assessments, programme development, proposal writing and development of M&E systems for MHPSS interventions is required.
• Experience working in fragile and insecure context is required

Assets:

• Previous experience of working with HMPSS in Lebanon will be considered an asset.
• Knowledge of Arabic.

Personal skills:

• Integrity and professionalism, feels accountable, able to work collaboratively and in teams, focused on beneficiary needs.
• Confident in situations of stress, including due to uncertainty, and able to handle a heavy but varied workload for a long period.
• Results-oriented, but aware that careful preparation and local ownership are key to achieving results in a sensitive environment.
• Good cultural awareness and sensitivity, patience and the ability to train, mentor and develop Host National Society staff and volunteers.
• Excellent diplomacy, communication, coordination, negotiation, networking and facilitation skills.
• The ability and willingness to live and work under restricted conditions in Sanaa and travel around the country under ICRC security rules
• The ability to work both independently but also with their direct supervisor as a cooperative team-player.

Employment Conditions:

This is a 24-months position, with possibility for extension. The duty station is Beirut in Lebanon with frequent travels to Yemen and with frequent field travels in both countries. The ideal starting date is 1 November 2022 or soonest thereafter.

The contract will be administered in accordance with the Danish Red Cross Terms and Conditions for Delegates. The salary including all allowances and pension payment will be between DKK 42,500.00 – 45,000.00 per month, depending on qualifications and experience. The position is a family duty station.