Technical Advisor, MHPSS, Ukraine Response

POSITION SUMMARY:

HIAS seeks a Technical Advisor, MHPSS, Ukraine Response to support overall direction and technical leadership for MHPSS programming in Europe, including emergency programming in response to the Ukraine crisis (including Ukraine Response in Ukraine and Regional Response currently in Poland, Moldova and Romania).

HIAS provides collaborative community-based mental health and psychosocial support services (CB-MHPSS) in Kenya, Chad, Greece, Mexico, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Peru, Aruba, Guyana and Panama. CB-MHPSS programming at HIAS includes a focus on individuals, families and communities. The overall goal of HIAS CB-MHPSS programming is for forcibly displaced people and vulnerable migrants to have improved mental health and psychosocial well-being helping them to access their rights. This goal may be achieved through three key outcome areas: (1) Family, community and social structures, including refugee and host communities and public and private partners, promoting the psychosocial well-being and resilience of women, men, girls and boys; (2) Individuals and communities develop healthy coping mechanisms; and (3) People with mental health and psychosocial problems use appropriate focused care, including referral to specialized care when needed.

Under the overall supervision of the Director, Resilience Programs, the successful candidate will provide technical support related to program planning, implementation and monitoring and evaluation, as well as donor diversification, partnership development and coordination, working in close coordination with Country Directors, field coordinators, and HQ teams. The MHPSS Technical Advisor, Ukraine Response will provide support to MHPSS teams in Ukraine and neighboring countries through in-person and remote technical assistance. They will ensure quality services are delivered that meet both ethical and global standards, and that the programs evolve to meet changing needs and succeed in implementing HIAS Refugee Rights Framework. They will be responsible for ensuring systems are in place to implement evidence-based programs, both within MHPSS and cross-sectorally, supporting opportunities for innovation and building HIAS’ profile in Europe in the MHPSS sector.

Note, this position is based in Ukraine, Poland, Romania or Moldova.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

TECHNICAL SUPPORT & PROGRAM DESIGN

• Guides the development and implementation of culturally appropriate MHPSS programming tailored to the European contexts, including emergency program design in response to the Ukraine crisis.
• Ensures that all MHPSS work implemented is in alignment with IASC guidelines on MHPSS support in emergencies; ensures and promotes coordinated CB-MHPSS programming across sectors (including GBV, legal protection and economic inclusion activities).
• Provides technical guidance for ongoing rapid needs assessments and contributes to the development of an integrated emergency response plan (including start-up of emergency programming where requested), in close coordination with HIAS’ technical team, Emergency Department and the Strategy & Measurement team.
• Provides ongoing technical support for mental health and psychosocial support programming to HIAS operations across the region, including development of Communities of Practice and training materials.
• Provides technical oversight and field monitoring of the program staff in close coordination with M&E and program managers to ensure high-quality implementation of MHPSS frameworks and tools.
• Works with country programs to develop and implement staff capacity-strengthening plans.
• Provide high quality technical backstopping to MHPSS staff in the Ukraine office and regional offices.
• Supports the development of effective supervision structures and processes for MHPSS staff involved in programming for Ukraine response (and elsewhere as needed).
• Shares cross-context learning with program staff across the regions.
• Reviews and shares program-specific tools/resources/curricula and works with countries and HQ to contextualize and adapt global and country-specific materials.
• Guides strategic programming of MHPSS actions while maintaining strong contacts among MHPSS project teams in country offices and with the Director, Resilience Programs.
• As needed, contributes to the development of case studies of successes and lessons learned, and other publications to highlight HIAS’ specific areas of expertise and value added.

PARTNERSHIP DEVELOPMENT & COORDINATION

• Contributes to capacity-strengthening of MHPSS staff of key partners and other stakeholders at the regional and national level (with emphasis on IASC and WHO methodologies for MHPSS in emergencies).
• Ensures HIAS programs are part of a coordinated response with partner agencies across the region; works to improve interagency coordination, sharing of information and promotion of MHPSS guidelines and best practices.
• Contributes to positioning HIAS as key actor and partner of choice on MHPSS across Europe, through alliance building, direct response to migrant population and generation of evidence; shares critical MHPSS developments and best practices across the region.
• Serves as HIAS’ technical representative in outside regional meetings and academic fora with donors, other non-governmental organizations, inter-agency groups and foundations, as requested.
• Facilitates the development, strengthening and expansion of partnerships with national Ministries of Social Services and Health, pertinent UN agencies and other relevant stakeholders on MHPSS issues.
• Provides timely and accurate information to the Global Public Affairs division in support of communications, media and advocacy efforts around the humanitarian emergency; this will include ensuring that all information, publicity and fundraising material recognizes and respects the dignity of those affected by disasters or emergencies.

MONITORING & EVALUATION, AND RESEARCH

• Ensures consistent, standardized tools for monitoring and evaluation and outcomes of HIAS MHPSS programs across the region; captures lessons learned from existing projects.
• Contributes to case studies, promising practices, lessons learned and other knowledge-based products to share HIAS’ learning with the broader forced migration field.
• Supports program monitoring in collaboration with regional M&E staff and MHPSS project staff, and ensures monitoring data is used to inform programming as needed to ensure high-quality implementation of MHPSS programming.

DONOR DIVERSIFICATION

• Serves as technical focal point for representation to European donors.
• In line with HIAS’ organizational strategic goals, supports the diversification of regional and global funding.
• Contributes to the review of technical quality of proposals, including review of technical activities and ensuring alignment to the Refugee Rights Framework.
• Supports the regional development staff to mobilize resources in the country offices and alliance-building for the development of new MHPSS projects in the Americas and Caribbean, including emergency response efforts.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS:

• Master’s degree or higher in psychology, social work, or related field; equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.
• 4-6 years of experience implementing MHPSS programming in humanitarian settings, and at least 1-2 years acting in an advisory capacity in MHPSS programming; preferred experience working in emergencies or supporting emergency program design.
• Fluency in English required; fluency in Ukrainian and Polish preferred.
• Demonstrated successful experience in capacity-building, mentoring, facilitation of learning and provision of technical support.
• Demonstrated experience in implementation of multi-sectoral response to MHPSS, including (but not limited to) GBV, child protection, legal response and economic inclusion.
• Knowledge/experience of mental health considerations and best practices related to the treatment for individuals impacted by displacement, conflict, torture, gender-based violence and other human rights violations.
• In depth understanding and practical experience with IASC MHPSS guidelines, in addition to other MHPSS global guidelines and best practices.
• Demonstrated ability to train staff and implementing partners on MHPSS, including excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated capacity and experience in conducting field level assessments and developing assessment tools, e.g. questionnaires, focus group discussions, etc.
• Experience in development of theories of change, including output and outcome level performance measurement indicators and targets related to MHPSS.
• Collaborative, flexible team player with the ability to think creatively, logically and critically about solutions to gaps in economic inclusion programming.
• Excellent interpersonal, written and oral communication skills, including the ability to regularly communicate with, motivate and support field-based staff, as well as effectively communicate key program achievements and operational challenges.
• Excellent organizational and problem-solving skills required.
• Up to 40% travel may be required.

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:

Step 1: Submit your application!

Step 2: Phone screen with a HIAS recruiter.

Step 3: Video interview with the hiring manager.

Step 4: Video interview with a panel of HIAS employees.

Step 5: Online reference check with SkillSurvey.

Step 6: Offer and background check with Shield Screening.

Step 7: 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.