MHPSS Specialist (Full Time or Part Time)

OBJECTIVE OF THE POSITION:

Mission:

Under the line and functional management of the Regional Technical Unit Manager (RTUM) and under the field coordination of the Country Manager (CM), the MHPSS Field Technical Specialist Lebanon contributes to the implementation of the mandate of HI and the operational strategy of HI MEREP program in the field of MHPSS, while respecting the HI DGA policy, and with a focus on Lebanon mission (at least 80% of her/his time). He/she ensures optimal quality and impact of the projects implemented in the country, through a delegation system with appropriate control mechanisms. He/she shares with all HI managers the responsibility of a sound management and successful functioning of the global organization, through paradigm changes. His/her expertise on MHPSS may occasionally be mobilized by the RTUM to provide strategic and/or operational ad-hoc support to the other countries in MEREP.

He/she will be responsible for the following:

• Supports the program to develop its strategy, especially with regard to MHPSS intervention and contributing more widely to HI Health and Protection strategy in the country.
• Is responsible for the technical support and regular follow-up (quality insurance) of the HI MHPSS activities in the country (direct service provision as well as health system strengthening activities);
• Oversees the development and adaptation of technical material aiming to build the capacity of the HI staff and partners, through face to face or remote trainings and coaching;

Coordinate with other MHPSS and Protection actors and represent HI internally and externally, whenever necessary.

Reports to: line managed by Regional Technical Unit Manager (RTUM) and functionally managed by the MHPSS Global Specialist, however, the day-to-day supervision and coordination between the MHPSS Field Technical Specialist and the Lebanon team will be delegated by the RTUM to Lebanon Country Manager.

Interacts with: Operations  Manager, Project Managers and projects’ staff, support services staff.

Job Location: Beirut

The MHPSS Field Technical Specialist will have functional technical supervision over other technical positions that support activities under her/his sectoral scope in the mission.

The MHPSS Field Technical Specialist will also provide technical follow up of consultants, in her/his sector of expertise, to ensure they align with HI technical framework.

Responsibilities

Responsibility 1: Management

1.1 From a technical perspective, contribute to the effective management of MHPSS Technical Officers (TOs level 2 and 1) working in the country (and on ad-hoc basis to TOs on the MEREP region), in coordination with the PMs who are  their line managers:

1. Support the PM to set individual objectives for the TOs, evaluate individual performance, contribute to development & career evolution, monitor competences;
2. Create capacity building plan and follow up on its implementation;

Responsibility 2: Expertise

2.1  Contributes to the country mission strategies and if relevant, the regional strategies, in line with the global strategies

1. Provides sectorial technical inputs to the STRATOPs for the program, with regard to MHPSS, in line with the global STRATECH and ensure relevant follow up
2. Participate to any relevant strategical exercises organized at mission level
3. Participate in continuous needs assessments for development of new projects and / or adaptation of existing projects;

2.2 Ensure technical support to projects in line with the global technical frameworks and standards on MHPSS

1. Provide adequate technical guidance and support to Project Managers (adapt standards to PM’s tools, contribute to proposal writing and reporting) in line with strategies, standards and mandatory transversal approaches
2. Provide ongoing technical support and training for the technical and projects field staff, through direct provision of both formal and on the job training;
3. Participate in MHPSS needs assessments for new projects to be developed/adaptation of the existing projects
4. Support the design and contextualization of technical tools, training, materials and other relevant documents, and disseminate them among the mission/humanitarian community (as needed) upon prior validation by the relevant HQ Technical Specialists. Propose innovative projects, potentially articulated with approaches toward peace building and conflict transformation.
5. Ensure the implementation of the comprehensive approach and coordination with the rehabilitation staff
6. Ensure good communication and coordination with team members and other internal stakeholders through regular meetings;
7. Ensure adequate support to multi-sector responses within projects, in line with the other Specialists
8. Ensure a local sectorial watch and best practice capture on MHPSS sub-sector
9. Participate to the design of positions, recruitment and induction of MHPSS team members in collaboration with the Operations Manager and Human Resources Manager;

2.3 Ensure technical learning from projects

1. Contribute to projects’ capitalization and ensure technical learning from MHPSS activities
2. valuate projects with a MHPSS component, identify lessons learnt, and best practices;

2.4 Ensure the control & monitoring of the technical quality and the relevance of HI’s activities in the Programmes under MHPSS activities

1. Ensure regular technical quality control of projects and programs and issue warnings and recommendations when required
2. Perform frequent field visits for technical supervision, on-the-job training, and quality assurance;
3. Support quantitative and qualitative data collection from MHPSS teams, in particular focused on ensuring that data is disaggregated by gender, age and disability;
4. Contribute to writing internal and external reports; Provide relevant data related to MHPSS activities (statistics, monthly objectives, etc.);
5. Monitor the implementation of audit recommendations, if applicable, in MHPSS scope

2.5 Ensure compliance of the technical proposition with nexus stakes

2.6 Contributes to the development of research and innovation projects at country and region level, when relevant, in the MHPSS expertise.

1. Suggest and steer technical innovation projects
2. Identify the priorities of Research and Studies and steer R&S

2.7 Contribute to the Technical Divisions professional channel animation

1. Contribute to the global animation of the professional channels under MHPSS sub-sector, coming from the Technical Divisions (community of practice…)
2. Animate a local talent pool in MHPSS Scope (carry out technical interviews of candidates and produce recommendations, identify the needs regarding trainings)

Responsibility 3: Influence

3.1 Contribute to the local external prestige and influence of HI’s expertise in the field of MHPSS and foster technical partnerships between HI and other actors.

1. Represent HI with the relevant institutional stakeholders, such as MoH, MoSA, MoE, etc. and the supporting UN Agencies (IOM, WHO, etc.) and other local authorities in the country, to facilitate HI’s MHPSS intervention and avoid duplication.
2. Represent HI through any relevant external humanitarian coordination meetings and bilateral meetings (MHPSS Technical Working group, Protection Working group);
3. Influence and promote the technical capacity of HI at country level, throughout the local and national relevant networks
4. Contribute to advocacy on specific themes at country level, in line with the global advocacy priorities

Responsibility 4: Business Development

4.1 Ensure the development of major opportunities or new projects in the region in MHPSS sector. Be up-to date on the last international practices and directions and opportunities under his sectorial scope. Use this knowledge to guide the mission towards new and more relevant and efficient technical programming. Ensure relevance of technical practices at project design stage and on strategy development.

1. Contributes to the context analysis in the field of MHPSS and more largely, Health and Protection sectors
2. Contributes to the design and writing of new projects for the mission and when asked in other countries within the Geographic Division
3. Identify & transform major opportunities in the mission under his scope
4. Contributes to the conception of major projects (multiple countries, one theme) or of new projects in the region
5. Identify & develop local partnerships and/or consortium with NGOs, Institutions, Companies on technical priorities or important topics in MHPSS
6. Lead the development and the data analysis of MHPSS needs assessments, effect/impact studies, KAP surveys, and other research efforts;

Confidentiality is required in all these responsibilities.

Note that this job description must remain flexible; to respond to additional tasks or changes as identified by the line manager.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

- Master degree in psychology (clinical, social or intercultural,)

- Practical experience of minimum 5 years in clinical psychology and MHPSS/SMSPS (implementation of MHPSS/SMSPS programs and strategies).

- Officially accredited to work as Psychologist in Lebanon إذن مزاولة المهنة من وزارة الصحة اللبنانية))

- Minimum 3 years humanitarian experience

- Understanding of the different explanatory models of disability, international human rights frameworks, humanitarian action, strategies to combat exclusion and discrimination.

- Knowledge of technical issues, standards and networks in MHPSS/SMSPS.

- Experience in working with and strengthening public health services and system (from Ministries to decentralized services) is highly desirable.

Know (knowledge)

• Knows the different currents of thought and explanatory models of disability and masters the application of certain tools

• Knows international human rights frameworks

• Knows the frameworks and mechanisms of international development cooperation and humanitarian action

• Knows the strategies to fight against exclusion and discrimination

• Knowledge of approaches integrating Mental Health in other sectors and in particular in relation to Protection against violence

• Knowledge of technical frameworks and standards SMSPS in Emergency

• Knowledge of networks of actors and inherent professionals

• Knowledge of issues at the crossroads of Mental Health and Physical Health.

Know-how (practical)

• Analysis of needs and existing resources

• Ability to negotiate and set a clear framework

• Mastery of written and oral institutional communication, in English

• Communicates in a clear, concise and responsible manner while respecting the interlocutor (adult or child); adapts its mode of communication and its message, particularly in the context of intercultural and distance communication

• Communicate, share and advocate on issues (including programmatic) related to MHPSS/SMSPS

• Negotiation knowledge, manage problems and conflicts. Lays down a clear framework, rules and limits

• Knows how to accompany, motivate a person/a group

• Plans activities in his/her service sector by setting clear, specific and measurable objectives.

• Develops new resources or adapts existing resources in order to make them evolve and/or adapts them to the context when necessary (knows how to identify and respond to nexus issues Emergency/development)

• Evaluates the impact/effects of its service area activities

• Promotes participation and cooperation in the activities of its service sector and in multidisciplinary/sectoral work

• Experience and/or technical understanding of the protection, rehabilitation, inclusive humanitarian action.
• Experience of training and technical supervision in the field of MHPSS with NGOs and CSOs, in protracted crisis as well as in development context.

•Master’s skills building techniques for adults (adult training)

• Experience in setting up projects

• International experience in the Middle-East.

Soft skills (attitudes)

• Resilience to stress and uncertainty

• Work in a team/network, cooperate. Respect the opinions and value the skills of everyone with a view to joint action

• Ability to accompany and motivate a group.

• Give and receive constructive feedback; exchanging in a multidisciplinary team, working in a network and collaborating

• Have an empathetic attitude, Flexibility and adaptability

•     Advanced writing capacities and proposal writing skills in English.

• Experience of project management.
• Strong experience in capacity building techniques with adults, using different pedagogical models.
• Proactive, shows initiative/entrepreneurial.

PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS:

HI workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in HI Code of conduct.  In accordance with these values, HI operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti-fraud, bribery, and corruption.

Basic salary range for the position : The MHPSS FTS is going to be paid according to the experience and to HI salary Grid.

Basic Salary : 2,688 USD 

Closing date: 28/05/2023

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Application should include CV, motivation letter and Permit of work as psychologist. Incomplete motivation letters and applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

Interested candidates send their CV to [email protected]  with the subject MHPSS FTS-2023