Ukraine Emergency MHPSS Coordinator

POSITION SUMMARY:

HIAS is working closely with its implementation partner in Ukraine, and with newly identified partners in neighboring countries, to rapidly respond to the immediate needs triggered by the invasion and attacks on Ukraine. The conflict in Ukraine has set off a wave of displacement internally, and into countries along Ukraine’s western borders. HIAS’ response is focused on multi-purpose cash programming, MHPSS, child protection, GBV reduction, prevention, and response, and legal protection. HIAS is working directly with local implementation partners, local NGOs, and other civil society actors, including R2P based in Western Ukraine, to support vulnerable refugees and displaced populations. As the situation is dynamic, complex, and experiencing rapid changes, HIAS will continue to assess, identify new potential areas of operation and implementation partners, and will continue to develop our response strategy, programmatic interventions, and positioning moving forward.

HIAS seeks an experienced Emergency Technical Coordinator for Mental Health & Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) to deploy in support of HIAS’ Ukraine Response. The Emergency Technical Coordinator will be responsible for ensuring the quality and effectiveness of HIAS’s emergency responses as it relates to MHPSS programs and will support rapid assessments, response strategy and design, humanitarian coordination, and start-up of emergency activities where requested.

This position will report to the Emergency Team Lead based in Ukraine or Poland. Emergency Technical Coordinators will also work closely with the Emergency Department, The Director of Resilience Programs, Strategy & Measurement Department, Public Affairs, and/or other HIAS departments as necessary.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Directly manage and mentor local partner MHPSS Coordinator in best practices and train them in IASC and WHO methodology compliant with HIAS standards.
• Serve as technical focal point for representation to donors including, but not limited to USAID/BHA and European donors.
• Develop and deliver MHPSS capacity building to partner staff that included Trainer of Trainers.
• Act as a senior member of the Emergency Team on the ground, providing leadership and expertise in MHPSS
• Contribute to formulating a coherent emergency strategy on MHPSS.
• Produce and share assessment report to guide program development and implementation.
• Develop an MHPSS emergency plan of action with budget and recommendations to support programming with identified local partners in the region.
• Identify, liaise, and collaborate with existing formal and informal community leaders, service providers, government structures, local authorities, and NGOs/CBOs in organizing joint MHPSS work.
• Provide guidance and technical support in developing specific MHPSS interventions for displaced populations, as well as strategies and best practices for addressing impending MHPSS needs and service gaps.
• Train key community members, stakeholders, and HIAS’ local partner(s) in key, basic MHPSS interventions and guidelines such as psychological first aid (including necessary contextual adaptations), and aspects of IASC MHPSS guidelines.
• Map referral pathways in close coordination with existing partners/local stakeholders
• Provide input to identified HIAS partners regarding global minimum standards and identified best practices for MHPSS
• Ensure that HIAS actions are part of a coordinated response with partner agencies. Work to improve interagency coordination, sharing of information, and promotion of MHPSS guidelines and best practices.
• Advocate for the importance of integrating MHPSS and global protection minimum standards in a multisectoral setting.
• Participate and represent MHPSS programming in meetings with donors, working groups, and relevant humanitarian clusters.
• Provide technical guidance for rapid needs assessment and contribute to the development of an integrated emergency response plan, and support start-up of emergency programming where requested, working closely with HIAS’ Emergency Department, Technical Directors, and Strategy & Measurement teams (or other HIAS departments and divisions as needed).
• Support the Team Lead and/or existing HIAS Country Office to assess, identify, and select implementing partners with demonstrated technical capacity to deliver high quality emergency MHPSS programming.
• Ensure implementation in accordance with international standards and in close coordination with HIAS’ Technical Directors and Emergency Department and contribute to monitoring and reporting of emergency activities.
• Utilize tools, resources, and program guidance materials to support program implementation and program monitoring, in close conjunction with programs staff and regional M&E staff.
• Represent HIAS and coordinate with other stakeholders, including agencies, working groups, local government, financial institutions, or otherwise, to promote the delivery of best practice humanitarian assistance.
• Provide technical guidance for rapid needs assessments led by HIAS.
• Represent HIAS in coordination groups and clusters in both Ukraine and Poland as requested/needed and coordinate closely with implementation partners, other international NGO’s, UN agencies, host government, bilateral and multilateral donors, and other principal stakeholders.
• Where appropriate, provide timely and accurate information to the Public Affairs team 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.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS:

• Dynamic individual with a proven ability to achieve results in a demanding, fast-paced, and often insecure environment.
• Ability to work in austere and dynamic environments and willingness to work and travel to multiple locations within Ukraine and Poland. (Transit times between Lviv and Rzeszow are, on average, 4 hours)
• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in emergency/humanitarian MHPSS work, of which at least two must be in the field in complex, challenging, and/or insecure environments.
• Knowledge of guidelines and principles and good practices of MHPSS in emergency settings.
• Knowledge of integrated MHPSS intervention models, including general protection and gender based violence.
• Experience working in MHPSS programming within the region of Eastern Europe preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in a technical and/or management-level role in field-level emergency programming.
• Clear career trajectory reflecting a deep level of emergency technical expertise within his/her specific specialty area, including knowledge and understanding of the latest standards and best practices among international humanitarian and emergency actors.
• Demonstrated experience conducting rapid needs assessments and designing technically-sound programs to respond to identified needs on the ground.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement capacity building training of staff on MHPSS.
• Experience in both direct implementation as well as sub-partner management preferred.
• Experience designing programs and contributing to proposals and budgets for standard institutional emergency donors.
• Willingness to relocate for up to six months and at short notice (within 1-2 weeks).
• Ability to work well with others and rapidly adapt to new countries/contexts.
• Flexibility to work in challenging environments and with high workloads, potentially with limited mobility.
• Excellent English language skills (verbal and written) required. Fluency in Ukrainian and/or Polish strongly preferred.
• Education: Bachelor’s Degree required, Master’s Degree preferred.
• Completion of Hostile Environment Awareness Training (HEAT) or equivalent within the past three years required before deployment.

ABOUT US:

HIAS is a global Jewish nonprofit organization working across five continents to ensure that refugees and displaced persons are protected. Throughout the United States, we help refugees reunite with families, resettle and become self-sufficient. Guided by our values and history, we help refugees rebuild their lives in safety and security and advocate to ensure that all displaced people are treated with dignity.

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

We Welcome the Stranger

Justice • Justicia • Justice

We Pursue Justice

Empathy • Empatía • Empathie

We Approach our Clients with Empathy

Partnership • Compañerismo • Coopération

We Believe in Changing the World through Partnership

Courage • Coraje • Courage

We Act with Courage to Build a Better World

Resilience • Resiliencia • Résilience

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.