MHPSS Specialist

INTERSOS is a non-profit humanitarian aid organization that works to bring assistance to people in danger, victims of natural disasters and armed conflicts. Established in 1992 with support from the Italian Federation of Trade Unions, its actions are based on the values of solidarity, justice, human dignity, equal rights and opportunities for all people and respect for diversity and coexistence, paying particular attention to the most vulnerable and the unprotected.

INTERSOS identifies with the core values of CONCORD, the European Confederation of NGOs; it adheres to international codes of conduct for humanitarian organizations and the values and principles expressed within those codes. INTERSOS is recognized by the Italian Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the European Commission and the principal UN agencies; it is privileged to hold an advisory status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

INTERSOS is an independent association which, through its own humanitarian operators, intervenes to effectively answer the needs of people in serious crises situations, mainly in the world's poorest regions, who are suffering, deprived of rights, dignity and essentials goods. It maintains a flexible operating structure. The head office in Italy coordinates, supports and monitors the planned activities in the countries of intervention carried out by decentralized offices.

Job Title         : MHPSS Specialist

Reports to       : Protection Coordinator

Duty Station    : Beirut, with frequent travel to all field locations

Position Type  : Full Time

Job Purpose:

The MHPSS Specialist will support the Protection Coordinator in defining, supervising and implementing the MHPSS component and it is integration with the Case Management component of the protection programme at INTERSOS Lebanon.

In close collaboration with the Protection Coordinator, the MHPSS Specialist will provide technical guidance, support and advice to protection staff, ensuring that specific MHPSS components of the programme are delivered according to internal guidelines and in line with international standards and principles, in order to achieve the mission’s goals effectively, according to INTERSOS human resources vision and values.

The MHPSS Specialist will be responsible for guaranteeing high quality and timely MHPSS interventions, including its integration into Case Management. S/He will

i) Define and roll-out the MHPSS strategy for the mission outlining the approaches and tools to be used,

ii) train/re-train staff engaged in PSS and case-management activities,

iii) mentor the team on a daily basis at field level,

iv) develop and revise MHPSS interventions,

v) draft and revise MHPSS SOPs,

vi) design standard indicators and tools to monitor the quality and impact of MHPSS programming

vii) develop and deliver a capacity building plan for MHPSS and other Protection staff,

viii) ensure integration of MHPSS in all Protection interventions with special emphasis on Case Management

ix) Work with HQ to support and develop MHPSS resources for INTERSOS

Generic duties

Coordination and support:

• Define and roll-out the MHPSS strategy and approach for the mission ensuring alignment with the Protection Strategy of the mission and with INTERSOS’s global MHPSS approach
• Design standard indicators and tools to monitor and measure the quality, impact and effectiveness of MHPSS programming and ensure piloting of these tools.
• Through regular visits to bases and project implementation sites, ensure cohesion and harmonization of MHPSS related activities and services (including individual and group counselling, emotional support groups, awareness-raising and community outreach/engagement components) and the integregation of MHPSS into Case Management activities across the mission.
• Continuously revise, adapt and develop the mission MHPSS Toolkit with appropriate resources and guidelines for providing structured and unstructured MHPSS for children and adults, including survivors of GBV
• Review existing MHPSS interventions and activities ensuring they are AGD sensitive and ensure AGD and context appropriateness in addressing CP, GBV and other Protection issues.
• Work with the Protection Coordinator, Protection Managers and Project Officers to strengthen PSS in case management providing guidance on identifying issues, provision of basic emotional support, session structure, referral and link between psychologists and case workers.
• Develop and oversee roll out of tools and processes in line with ethical standards to optimise coordination between case workers and psychologists in the management and response to individual cases.
• In coordination with the Protection Coordinator and Deputy Protection Coordinator, support to contextualize and adapt internal and global guidelines, making sure these are rolled out and known by relevant staff.
• In coordination with the Protection Coordinator and Deputy Protection Coordinator, deliver trainings and workshops to protection staff to build their skills on MHPSS related topics including assessment and monitoring methods and tools, PFA
• Support the Protection Coordinator in developing and implementing a Staff Care System for all staff, with specific attention to case management teams and psychologists.
• In coordination with the Protection Coordinator, assess MHPSS needs and gaps of target populations in current and prospective areas of operations, periodically update the protection situation analysis and inform the programme accordingly.
• In coordination with the Protection Coordinator and Deputy Protection Coordinator, design and develop a community-based approach to MHPSS
• Support the Protection Coordinator in ensuring that protection data is collected, stored, archived, processed, analysed and disseminated in ethical modalities, in line with internal data protection protocols.
• Undertake regular field monitoring visits and provide support tools to monitor quality of programme implementation.
• Support the Protection Coordinator to deliver trainings and workshops to non-protection staff to build their skills and knowledge of staff care, mental health, PFA and other topics relevant to all sectors

Technical Supervision:

• Provide leadership, guidance, monitoring and overall technical supervision to INTERSOS Psychologists, establishing standard process and procedures for beneficiary support
• Participate in the recruitment (Test development, interview panels, mid-year and end of year appraisals) of all MHPSS staff (Psychologists etc.)
• Provide technical support to the psychologists for individual cases affected by crisis, GBV survivors, child protection cases, etc.

Networking and Partnerships:

• Maintain collaborative working relationships with relevant clusters and related working groups at national and/or field level.
• Represent INTERSOS at National MHPSS Task Force meetings and in the InterAgency PSS committee
• Network with MHPSS leaders of other missions and other organizations to share best practices and resources

• Map and establish relations with mental health agencies in Lebanon to develop and strengthen referral pathways and procedures for cases requiring specialised mental health care, psychiatric services and/or hospitalisation
• In coordination with the Protection Coordinator, ensure that main MHPSS concerns are brought to relevant stakeholders to advocate for the respect of human rights and minimum protection standards.
• Maintain strong and regular communication with INTERSOS HQ and with other INTERSOS missions in the region implementing MHPSS activities, to support the development of harmonised tools and a consistent approach.

• Experience

  Minimum 5 years relevant work experience in MHPSS and protection in an INGO/NGO

  Minimum 3 years as a practising psychologist and at least two years in a supervisory role

  Relevant work experience in Case Management in an INGO/NGO is considered an asset

   

  Competencies: (Knowledge, Skills & Abilities)

  Professional Competencies:

• Strong theoretical, technical and practical knowledge of MHPSS including:
• Trained on and able to provide supervision on evidence-based psychotherapies.
• Ability to provide technical input into the design, implementation and evaluation of MHPSS programmes.
• Ability to provide training and guidance on structured clinical assessments and clear case formulation.
• Ability to use and provide training on standardised assessment tools.
• Demonstrated experience in providing group awareness sessions about mental health.
• Experience in applying a community-based approach to MHPSS.
• Experience developing and facilitating training programmes and standard operating procedures on MHPSS.
• Very good understanding of protection including case management, gender-based violence and child protection concerns, and of international humanitarian principles.
• Driving licence issued since more than 2 years.

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  Behavioral competencies:

• Demonstrated excellent coordination and management skills
• Ability to work in a multidisciplinary team
• Excellent communication, problem solving, interpersonal and conflict resolution skills
• Cultural sensitivity
• Diplomatic skills in networking with partners, authorities and donors;
• Strong time management skills, resourcefulness and attention to detail;
• Ability to adhere to ethical considerations and principles with regard to work with vulnerable populations