MHPSS Specialist – UKRAINE

Situation Overview

In March 2014, anti-government protests in Ukraine led to the removal of a Kremlin-friendly leader from power, and Russia invaded and annexed the Crimean Peninsula. A month later, pro-Russian separatists backed by Russia began capturing territory from the Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts (the Donbass region). In 2015, the peace Minsk agreement was signed, however never fully implemented and the fighting has transformed into a trench war over the past eight years. After having built up significant military forces on Ukraine’s borders in 2021, and after having recognized the independence of Russian-backed self-declared republics of Donetsk and Luhansk in eastern Ukraine, Russia launched on the 24 February a large-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine by air, land and sea targeting several regions and key cities including Kyiv.

Humanitarian situation

Heavy fighting and shelling continue across several towns and cities in Ukraine, with increasing human cost and humanitarian consequence. Most of these casualties were caused by the use of explosive weapons with a wide impact area. Reports of civilians trapped in towns and cities under shelling continue. Inside Ukraine, severe essential health supplies, fuel and cash shortages are reported, with heightened insecurity affecting access to basic services. Population movement remains fluid and according to latest figures by UNHCR, close to 900,000 people have now fled Ukraine to neighboring countries, while over 100,000 have so far been internally displaced. Real figures are considerably higher as corroboration is ongoing, albeit with delays and security challenges.

The UN Flash Appeal was released on 01/03 for the Ukraine Crisis, requiring 1.7 billion USD : 1.1 billion USD to assist 6M people in need of humanitarian and protection assistance, including 2.4M IDPs amongst an estimated 12M people in need. The Regional Refugee Response Plan requires 550.6 million USD to assist 2.4M individuals of an estimated 4M affected people in support of host countries including Hungary, Moldova, Poland, Romania and Slovakia.

Priorities of the Ukraine Flash Appeal include:

o Multi-sectoral life-saving assistance to displaced and non-displaced populations:

Protection, shelter, health, NFIs, food security and livelihoods, water, sanitation, hygiene, and education (Multipurpose cash)

o Logistics & communication

o Protection of conflict affected populations (including VBG, AVR)

o Provision of basic services in areas impacted by the escalation of hostilities.

Priorities of the Regional Refugee Response Plan include:

o Critical life-saving assistance at border points

o Strengthening and supporting access to mental health and psychosocial support; provision of basic and domestic items including food, unrestricted cash assistance, and core relief items; and WASH, education and health services, including sexual and reproductive health services

o Protection interventions

Both call for specific attention to the needs of most vulnerable populations.

HI response to the conflict and its regional impact

HI has deployed two teams in the region, with one team deploying to Ukraine and a second team leading an assessment in neighbouring countries receiving refugees. The main objectives will be to assess more deeply the current context & environment, identify potential operational partners, meet with key relevant stakeholders on the ground and asses the overall needs of the population, and requirement to start operations. HI is therefore preparing to be able to deploy quickly a large-scale multi sectoral humanitarian response.

Your mission

Under the responsibility of the Operations Manager, your main responsabilities will be:

1/ Technical Support
2/ Representation and external coordination
3/ Training and management
4/ Support to the program strategy
5/ Reporting
6/ Line /team management

Your profile

• You hold a degree in Psychology, psychosocial work or community Mental Health (Advanced degree is recommended).
• You have at least 3 years of experience in providing MHPSS technical support to programs
• Proven experience in providing MHPSS services and training in NGO is essential
• You know supervising, accompanying and coaching others
• Having worked in a post-crisis or development context is an asset
• Understanding of humanitarian coordination and the protection sector is necessary
• You are able to work under pressure and without constant supervision. You have emotional capacity to work under unstable security situation
• You are a good team member, with strong interpersonal & intercultural skills – You are keen to participatory approach
• You are fluent in English (written and oral institutional communication).

Conditions

At HI, the conditions offered are up to your commitment and adapted to the context of your mission. https://hi.org/en/join-the-team
• International contract starting ASAP
• The international contract provides social cover adapted to your situation:
o Unemployment insurance benefits for EU nationals
o Pension scheme adapted to the situation of our employees: If you already have a personal pension scheme HI will contribute at the same level of your personal monthly contribution with a maximum of 272.53€/month ; If you do not have a personal pension scheme, we will open a private pension account with your contribution of 272.53€/month and a contribution of HI of the same amount
o Medical coverage with 50% of employee contribution
• Repatriation insurance paid by HI
• Salary from 2757 € gross/month upon experience
• Perdiem: to be determined
• Paid leaves: 25 days per year;