Protection and MHPSS Team Leader (national position)

Near East Foundation (NEF) - Lebanon

Title:               Protection and MHPSS Team Leader (national position)

Unit:               Program, Near East Foundation in Lebanon

Reports to:     Project Manager

Location:        The position is based in Beirut

Travel:            Frequent travel between project sites within Lebanon

Salary:             $2,800 USD per month

Start date:       02/10/2023 (pending final project approval from the donor)

The Near East Foundation (NEF) is seeking candidates for a Protection and MHPSS Team Leader to be based in its ‎Lebanon office in Beirut. For 100 years, NEF has worked to build more sustainable, prosperous and ‎inclusive communities in the Middle East and Africa through education, governance, and economic ‎development initiatives. Working through a network of country offices and local partners, NEF ‎currently operates in ten countries. Its programs are organized around three themes: Inclusive Economic Development; Climate Resilient Development; Stabilization and Peacebuilding.

Position Description:

The Protection and MHPSS Team Leader is a key member of the Near East Foundation team in Lebanon. The Protection and MHPSS Team Leader has the responsibility to ensure protection and MHPSS mainstreaming in all activities under NEF Lebanon’s livelihoods projects, and to coordinate the implementation of protection-based livelihoods activities. Project activities aim to reduce household economic vulnerability and reliance on harmful coping strategies by increasing access to livelihoods combined with Protection and Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) services to help participants manage psychosocial distress and develop positive coping strategies. The role will mainly require the postholder to: (a) strengthen protection mainstreaming throughout all the phases of the project; (b)Provide advanced protection training to the pool of protection focal points at each Siraj center, a training of trainers (ToT) that will cascade protection training knowledge to partner NGOs and CBOs ;(c) Coordinate the implementation phase of the MHPSS services including PSS and case management services in coordination with the focal points in partners’ organisations (d) expand NEF’s network with protection actors at a local and national level to strengthen our referral system.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under the supervision of the Project Manager, the Protection and MHPSS Team Leader has the following specific responsibilities:

Implementation, Monitoring, and Oversight:

• Ensure protection and MHPSS mainstreaming in all components and activities through regular field monitoring, collaboration with staff, assistance in capacity building of partners, etc.                
• Maintain a robust and up-to-date referral system to receive and respond to protection cases in field locations.                                                                                        
• Maintain an up-to-date mapping of services and foster linkages with service providers.                            
• Ensure the proper implementation of the MHPSS activities through regular technical follow-up and coordination with the implementing partner staff.
• Support the review and adaptation of MHPSS package and curriculums based on lessons learnt.
• In coordination with the M&E coordinator and the Project Manager, ensure smooth implementation of protection-related activities against targets and budgets.              

Technical Support

• Deliver Support in identifying capacity building needs and opportunities for NEF staff and local partner organizations, and lead on training partners and staff on MHPSS, protection principles and Gender equality approaches.                 
• Provide team and individual guidance and technical capacity through training, operational planning, daily interaction, regular team meetings, and learning and reflection events to implement protection effectively and efficiently into project activities.

Program Development & Strategic Planning:

• Contribute to the design of a protection strategy for the Lebanon operation.
• Support field assessments and research studies as required to identify new areas of intervention.
• Work with the Project Manager and MEAL in program development and proposal writing by providing inputs and reviewing technical information to draft standalone protection concept notes/proposals.

Reporting & Documentation:

• Compile field-generated information and provide inputs to reports in a timely manner and in compliance with HQ and donor requirements.
• Ensure proper documentation and data protection of vulnerable cases received and handled by protection focal points.
• Prepare, develop, and implement regular reports, analysis, and assessments related to protection.

Representation & Coordination:

• Represent NEF in protection working groups at national and local levels, and other relevant interagency workshops or events in related sectors.
• Share relevant project information and documents related to protection and gender with project teams, partners, HQ, and other stakeholders. departments around protection and gender issues.

Basic Qualifications:

• University degree in social work, Psychology, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of previous relevant job experience.
• Fluency in Arabic and English, both written and verbal.
• Experience in Protection activities, humanitarian aid, Refugee context, Planning and Coordinating activities, reporting data, referring cases.
• Understanding of multi-layered MHPSS programming & interventions.
•     Understanding of Protection and MHPSS identification, referral, and response systems.
•     Team player with strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to build strong internal relationships and networks.

Position Criteria:

• Willingness and ability to frequently travel to field sites (Bekaa, Beirut, North and South of Lebanon).
• Ability to take initiative; highly self-motivated, with a strong capacity to work within a team.
• Ability to work independently, with strong work ethics and a high level of professionalism.
• Capable of maintaining confidentiality and ensuring others do as well.
• Flexible, enthusiastic, and willing to learn from and support others.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to multi-task, prioritize, and cope with competing demands under tight deadlines.
• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with people from different backgrounds.
• Strong commitment to humanitarian principles.