Health Specialist (Mental Health & Psychosocial Support), P-3, LACRO, Panama City, Panama

Contract

This is a P-3 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 5 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 108,241 USD and 141,733 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

For every child, health.

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does—in programs, in advocacy and in operations.

There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens—addressing inequity—not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

The Mental Health & Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Specialist will be part of the Survive and Thrive Section. Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Regional Adolescent Health Specialist, and within the context of the implementation of the UNICEF Strategic Plan (all Goal Areas, with direct accountability to Goal Area 1) and specifically Output 1.2 of the LAC Regional Office Management Plan on Adolescent Health. The incumbent will provide technical guidance and support for the MHPSS intersectoral agenda in collaboration with all relevant sections in the Regional Office and focal points in country offices as well as external partnerships and UN agencies working in MHPSS.

The Regional MHPSS Specialist will work closely with focal points within the Child Protection and Education Sections, other relevant sections at regional level (such as Youth Engagement, PFP, Human Resources, and Evaluation), COs and with key partners (e.g. PAHO, IFRC, subject matter experts, and multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors) to assist in ensuring that quality MHPSS services are effectively scaled up and integrated in the region for children, adolescents, and caregivers.

How can you make a difference?

The MHPSS Specialist will support the advancement of UNICEF’s work in the Latin America and Caribbean Region to meet its institutional priorities as well as contribute to strengthening UNICEF and inter-agency results, focusing on regional implementation and advocacy efforts on MHPSS including the roll out of the global UNICEF MHPSS Framework and implementation of the 7% set aside funds and other relevant multi-country projects.

The Specialist provides technical guidance and operational support to all 24 Country Offices in the region throughout the programming process to facilitate the achievement of concrete and sustainable results, according to plans, allocation, results based-management approaches and methodology (RBM), organizational Strategic Plans and goals, standards of performance, and accountability framework.

To qualify as a champion for every child you will have…

• An advanced university degree in Psychology, Social Work, or other relevant social welfare field is required.
• A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in mental health, social work, MHPSS and/or other related areas at national or international levels, most of which served in humanitarian contexts, are required.
• Fluency in English and Spanish is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian) or Portuguese is an asset.
• Relevant experience in Child Protection, Human Rights and related areas, programme/project development in a UN System agency or organization is an asset.
• Training delivery, content development, and knowledge management experience are desirable assets.
• Experience in both development and humanitarian contexts is an added advantage.

For every child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA).

The functional competencies required for this post are Leading and supervising (I), Formulating strategies/concepts (I), Analyzing (II), Relating and networking (II), Deciding and initiating action (II), Applying Technical Expertise (II). View our competency framework at this link.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious, and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.