Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Senior Officer - Bekaa

Job Overview: 

The MHPSS Senior Officer (SO) is responsible for the overall technical oversight of quality MHPSS services for the health program in close coordination with the MHPSS Manager. They will provide technical support and overlook MHPSS services provided in the Beqaa.

The MHPSS SO has a pivotal role in coordinating among the multidisciplinary team members and leading coordination with other IRC sectors to ensure quality integration and mainstreaming of MHPSS.  

Major Responsibilities:

Technical Leadership

• Contribute to quality control in the field of expertise through technical guidance and support to the partners’ staff.
• Conduct regular and specific monthly supervision meetings with MHPSS partners staff using supervision tools and raise monthly supervision report to MHPSS Manager.
• Conduct/ participate in MHPSS needs assessment among the targeted populations.
• Monitor ongoing care plan development with careful consideration and attention to protection-related issues stemming from high-risk factors (domestic violence, intimate partner violence, suicide, self-harm, etc.).
• Lead on the multidisciplinary intervention including the regular meetings to set recovery/ rehabilitation plans with rehabilitation professionals and ensure a holistic, person-centered, and rights-based approach.
• Follow-up on the set referral mechanism and the referrals made to and from partners, internal and external.
• Ensure that clinical reports are well documented and case studies are discussed among the multidisciplinary professionals supporting in implementing recovery and rehabilitation plans when needed and in accordance with IRC’s guidelines.
• Ensure that all regular standing meetings and sessions (weekly and monthly) are adhered to.
• Set and follow-up on monthly community of practice meetings among the MHPSS and rehabilitation professionals.
• Identify any potential barriers in accessing MHPSS services through regular follow-up and interaction with clients.
• Maintain regular communication and schedule regular visits to partners facilities to ensure updated information and ongoing two-way feedback.
• Regular follow-up on tasks requested to ensure quality integration.
• Oversee the coordination of the integration of MHPSS with partners’ staff in the designated locations.
• Participate in program meetings for strategic planning and evaluation.
• Submit regular feedback reports to the MHPSS Manager and follow up on the MHPSS indicators.
• Support the MHPSS Manager in program reporting, supervision of donor files, and monitoring of activities.
• Travel to field sites as needed and agreed with line manager.

Integration and collaboration

• Coordinate with different field program leads (protection, education) on the MHPSS activity plans.
• Work in collaboration with education and protection programs to ensure appropriate, regular, and consistent referrals to the health teams and ensure needed clinical care for complex cases is provided.
• Liaise with relevant program staff to organize the logistics for meetings, sessions, training, coordination, and monitoring and learning.
• Ensure strong coordination with other IRC programs as well as external NGOs for effective implementation of the internal and external referral pathways.
• Participate in the monthly procurement plans related to MHPSS activities, share it with the line manager, and raise field needs to relevant administrative officers.

Capacity building and training

• Support in the design and implementation of inclusive MHPSS capacity building plans at the field level, including coaching and on-the-job training.
• Oversee the adaptation and development of training packages and the execution/ implementation of capacity building plans for MHPSS staff and partner organizations.
• Provide direct training, supportive supervision and monitoring and evaluation assistance to the MHPSS partners’ staff providing psychological interventions, who are working inside the IRC supported facilities.
• Support partners’ staff in making intersectoral referrals where appropriate.
• Support partners in regularly updating the service map.

Monitoring and evaluation

• Monitor achievements and indicators and contribute to the development of necessary tools to support project evaluation and decision-making.
• Ensure the collection and compilation of MHPSS related data, in collaboration with the MEAL team
• Identify individual training needs and ensure access to training and professional development resources appropriate to skill gaps and needs.
• Conduct regular observation and monitoring of activities and share recommendations to improve the quality of program implementation.
• Ensure data related to case management and referrals are managed in a safe and ethical manner and in full adherence to the data protection policy and case management principles.
• Monitor the community MHPSS teams to ensure they abide by the set SOPs.
• Monitor partners’ adherence to set MHPSS SOPs.

Networking and representation

Represent IRC in area specific MHPSS coordination meetings.

Job Requirements:

Education: Advanced degree in psychology (M.A. or M.S.) or public health (MPH) with a background in psychology (B.A or B.S.). 

Work Experience: 

• Minimum 3 years of relevant work experience in MHPSS.
• Knowledgeable about IASC MHPSS guidelines and best practices as part of their previous work experience.
• Experience in clinical supervision, training, and/or coaching others. 
• Experience designing and rolling out training modules to diverse audiences.
• Experience in community based MHPSS approaches and interventions.
• Experience working with partners to implement programming.
• Strong experience in training with good facilitation skills and ability to organize and implement training modules on sensitive topics.

Demonstrated Technical Skills and Competencies: 

• Demonstrated organizational, management and reporting skills.
• Demonstrated ability to liaise with partner organizations.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with stakeholders at all levels.           
• Experience in transferring technical knowledge and skills to others. 
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with an overall ability to be clear and concise in all communications.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills; proven ability to prioritize and deliver on time.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated capacity to perform well under pressure with overlapping deadlines in a challenging environment.
• Highly proficient in Microsoft Office suite, mainly Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Language Skills: Excellent command of written and spoken English and Arabic are required.

Working Environment:

Standard office working environment with frequent trips to the field.

The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct.  These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability.  In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.