MHPSS Specialist, Poland

POSITION SUMMARY:

HIAS seeks a Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Specialist to provide overall leadership and support for the implementation of MHPSS emergency response activities in Poland that improve access to appropriate PSS care and strengthened protective environments for conflict-affected individuals and communities. The MHPSS Specialist will be responsible for ensuring the emergency MHPSS activities are carried out in accordance with IASC MHPSS guidelines to reinforce existing community systems and PSS within the Ptak EXPO Centre Warsaw. The incumbent will be responsible for technical support and supervision of the MHPSS officers. The MHPSS Specialist will report to the Poland Protection Coordinator.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Support the development of a contextual multi-sector emergency MHPSS response for refugees in Poland, in close coordination with the Protection Manager

• Develop and implement activity workplans for the MHPSS team, ensuring effective implementation and achievement of priority initiatives and activities.

• Coordinate with partners and local organizations to create linkages for refugees to promote quality referral pathways, strengthening MHPSS services and ensuring their integration of MHPSS concerns to different sectors

Ensure that continual capacity building on MHPSS guidelines and standards, PSS, PFA, safeguarding, protection principles, Do No Harm approaches, and Core Humanitarian Standards training is offered for HIAS staff, the staff of implementing partners, and key members of the community.

• Coordinate and facilitate for the development of appropriate PSS supervision mechanisms to support staff to HIAS staff and partners

• Support the establishment of PSS Hotline Centres, in collaboration with key partners to provide remote PSS and PFA support to conflict-affected populations in Poland. Ensure the implementation and application of HIAS’ standard operating procedures are done in line with HIAS’ safeguarding policies.

• Ensure the implementation of an integrated, up-to-date, and individualized PSS and positive parenting skills for parents and caregivers by HIAS.

Support and contribute the development of monitoring tools for MHPSS interventions to support quality programming in compliance with international standards.

• Contribute the perspective and inputs of MHPSS in joint interagency assessments, planning, and reporting that are carried out by MHPSS technical working groups and relevant interagency initiatives.

• Support the development of appropriate IEC material to support the training and program implementation for MHPSS interventions, and review existing IEC materials to ensure that MHPSS aspects are included in health and protection response and prevention messaging.

• Actively participate in and support the inter-agency, multi-sectoral technical working groups including MHPSS, GBV, Protection, CP and health

• Provide regular progress reports, updates, and Sit Reps, as well as other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS:

• A degree in psychology, sociology, social work, anthropology, or a related subject
• At least 5 years of experience in mental health and psychosocial support interventions emergency programming in practice; minimum of 2 years in a management position
• Demonstrated experience working directly with vulnerable populations
• Experience in MHPSS, GBV, CP and related sectors at national and an international level in a humanitarian context
• Demonstrated knowledge of IASC Guidelines on MHPSS in Emergency Settings
• Demonstrated experience of training, supervision, and mentoring of non-professional counselling staff
• Fluency in English required; proficiency in Ukrainian and/or Russian preferred
• Ability to work and cope within a demanding, dynamic, and high pressure environment, and maintain flexibility
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work within different cultural environments
• Ability to work and supervise a team, maintain respect for diversity, uphold integrity, respect and accountability
• Strong knowledge of humanitarian coordination mechanisms and strong cultural awareness and sensitivity.
• Strong computer skills, particularly in Microsoft Office;

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.