Programme Manager - Mental Health and Psychosocial Support

ROLE PURPOSE:

The Programme Manager will oversee the implementation of Save the Children’s Mental Health & Psychosocial Support programmes across Lebanon. S/he will manage at least two MHPSS specific awards and work closely with the MHPSS Specialist to ensure technical quality.  The position holder will be involved in undertake needs assessments; monitoring progress and evaluations, adapting existing programming to changing needs; and ensure the effective implementation of the MHPSS programme. The post will be primarily office based, but will be expected to regularly join the field teams during assessments and implementation. S/he will coordinate the day-to-day activities of the projects implemented across Lebanon, ensuring that they are implemented effectively and efficiently according to the donor and SCL’s guidelines and procedures for project governance applicable for the particular projects.

CHILD SAFEGUARDING:

Level 3:  the post holder will have contact with children and/or young people either frequently (e.g. once a week or more) or intensively (e.g. four days in one month or more or overnight).

SCOPE OF ROLE:

Reports to: Deputy Country Director, Programme Operations with dotted lines to Area Managers.

Staff Directly reporting to: indirect management of MHPSS Coordinators at the area offices.

Budget Responsibilities: exceeds USD 1,000,000

Role Dimensions: Accountable for Budget Management including forecasting and expenditure, proposal and reports writing, local partner management, multi-programmes implementation management, decision making, internal and external representation, team management and capacity building.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

Programme Implementation and Delivery

• Responsible for the implementation of Save the Children’s MHPSS interventions (specifically UNHCR and Johnson & Johnson grants) ensuring that the highest technical standards are respected, in coordination with the MHPSS specialist.
• With the support of the area managers, work with the Area Offices – MHPSS Coordinators to finalize implementation plans for each MHPSS project, and oversee weekly and monthly work plans in line with the implementation plan.
• With the support of the Area Managers & MHPSS Specialist, lead the implementation of MHPSS programme through local partners including identification, assessment, capacity development, monitoring and closure of partnerships.
• Work with the MHPSS Coordinators to ensure regular liaison with communities/municipalities and ensure community participation especially children, youth and women in all steps of project cycle, and grant acceptance of Save the Children’s MHPSS programming.
• Participate in training of MHPSS and other sector staff (coordinators, officers and assistants) to ensure they have solid understanding of key programme documents and tools, including MEAL tools.
• Oversee MHPSS budgets, financial reporting and forecasting of direct SCI project and partners led projects.
• Ensure programme budgets and implementation is happening on time and in line with SCI’s and donors’ expectations and quality standards.
• Work with logistics/procurement and programming staff to select services including private sector providers and technical consultants.
• With the support of the Area Managers, develop internal and partner’s capacity in implementing MHPSS programme.
• Produce timely reports for internal use on the status of on-going programming; and considate data and reports from Area office to lead on donor reporting.
• Work with colleagues from other sectors to ensure regular coordination at strategic and programmatic level; and ensure multi-sectorial programming.
• With other team members (and communities), identify programme gaps and ensure appropriate action is taken.
• With the support of the Area Manager, the MHPSS Specialist and MEAL team, implement and operationalize monitoring and evaluation mechanisms for Save the Children MHPSS projects.
• Ensure clear plans in place for monitoring and evaluating project activities in relation to Save the Children and donor objectives; and that lessons learnt are shared and capitalized on.
• Ensure that projects are monitored regularly, and that data is collected on a weekly, monthly and quarterly basis.
• Regularly visit project sites to ensure that teams are appropriately supported.
• Coordinate with the lead SC Member for the global MHPSS project, keeping them abreast of developments in Lebanon.
• Risk Management through ongoing identification and assessment of potential risks and contribution to the development of risk mitigation plans.

Team Management and Capacity Building

• Support Area Managers in leading, managing and motivating MHPSS staff, ensuring that they have clear objectives and receive meaningful feedback on their performances.
• Steer, supervise and support staff in the design, management, implementation and monitoring of activities, in collaboration with the Area Managers.
• Provide Program teams with guidance and updates on policy, standards and guidelines relating to MHPSS.
• Work in collaboration with technical advisors and MHPSS specialist to identify capacity building requirements for the MHPSS Team members and develop capacity building plan accordingly.
• Ensure that policies and procedures are understood by new staff (e.g. procurement and finance requirements).
• Capacity building of staff with updates on training materials and technical knowhow, together with the MHPSS specialist.

Partnerships Management

• Ensure capacity building of local partners implementing MHPSS interventions.
• Responsible for partnership management to ensure programme delivery.
• Support in the completion of partner assessments and work closely with partners on development of proposals and budgets for their sub-award agreements.
• Provide continuous programme management and facilitate technical support to partners to ensure timely quality programming.
• Work with HR/Finance/Logs teams to ensure partners are receiving adequate support from support sections.

External Relationships/Representation

• As requested and as a back-up for the MHPSS Specialist, represent Save the Children’s MHPSS work in Lebanon externally, at national level and ensure appropriate MHPSS representation at local level.
• Contribute to development of advocacy messages and materials in conjunction with SC PAC unit.

General

• Comply with Save the Children policies and practice with respect to child protection, code of conduct, health and safety, equal opportunities and other relevant policies and procedures.
• Help be responsible for the security of all staff. Ensure that the security, health and wellbeing of staff are ensured and staff management and other processes and policies and systems reflect SC’s principles of equity and fairness.

QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Bachelor degree in related fields with more than 4 years of progressive experience including 2 years in similar role.
• Flexibility and willingness to change work practices and hours, and capability to work in insecure environment.
• Available and willing to travel throughout Lebanon.

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS:

• 7 years of progressive experience of humanitarian programming; experience in humanitarian MHPSS or similar, sphere standards and humanitarian principles, including at least 2 years in management position.
• Thorough understanding of MHPSS framework Guidelines on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings, MHPSS programming & scalable Evidence based MHPSS interventions (Including: PFA, PM+).
• Strength in interpersonal, communication and presentation skills. Previous experience of liaising with the UN, national and donor governments and NGOs as advantage.
• Excellent project management skills.
• Demonstrated experience in managing a team in a humanitarian context.
• Excellent time management skills.
• Strong experience in data collection and analysis, experience in MHPSS is a plus.
• Strong experience in fieldwork and community mobilization; and in training groups of beneficiaries.
• Fluency in written and spoken English.
• Computer skills (especially Excel).

Additional job responsibilities:

The duties and responsibilities as set out above are not exhaustive and the role holder may be required to carry out additional duties within reasonableness of their level of skills and experience.

Equal Opportunities:

The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with the SCI Equal Opportunities and Diversity policies and procedures.

Child Safeguarding:

We need to keep children safe so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.

Safeguarding our Staff:

The post holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with the SCI anti-harassment policy.

Health and Safety:

The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with SCI Health and Safety policies and procedures.