MHPSS Specialist

Job Description

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is among the world’s leading Humanitarian aid organizations. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC works with people

forced to flee from war, conflict, and disaster, helping them to survive, recover, and rebuild their lives. At work

today in over 40 countries, the IRC seeks to be an operational and inspiring leader in matters of resettlement,

asylum, and integration, demonstrating its credibility and expertise as a leading service provider, partner, and

advocate across the arc of the global displacement crisis. IRC currently operates in the U.S., Africa, Middle

East, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. For a complete listing of countries in which IRC operates and supports

refugee programs, please visit http://www.rescue.org/where

Across Europe, the IRC delivers programs that address the acute humanitarian needs of asylum-seekers and

other vulnerable migrants who are newly arrived, stranded, or in transit, and programs that address their

longer-term integration needs.

Earlier this year, IRC launched its newest country program in Moldova to respond to the Ukrainian crisis in

collaboration with local civil society organizations. With a population of only 2.64 million, Moldova has seen

over 600,000 refugees cross its borders in search of safety. While most refugees transit onward toward

Romania and other European countries, the number of nearly 100,000 Ukrainians and expected to increase

in the coming months. Given its small size and limited resources, Moldova's capacity is already under strain

with pressures on energy supplies and high inflation. The IRC envisages a humanitarian program in Moldova

targeting both refugees and Moldovans, with interventions crafted to save lives and relieve humanitarian

suffering, with a focus on education, gender-based violence prevention and response, and protection services

along with support for integration.

Job Overview/Summary:

We are looking for an MHPSS Specialist, who will provide technical services in support of the IRC and partner

organization education program for vulnerable migrants and refugees to improve mental health and

the psychosocial well-being of Ukrainian, and third national’s refugees and vulnerable Moldovans. You will focus on the provision of training and capacity building to local MHPSS service providers on issues

related to adversity and displacement and work together with team members and local partners to support

community-based mechanisms for improvement of well-being, protection resilience of those impacted by the

events of the war in Ukraine.

This position reports to the Education Manager.

Major Responsibilities

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Support the development of a contextual multi-sector emergency MHPSS response for Ukrainians, third

country nationals and affected communities in Moldova in concert with education sector guidance and

guidelines, in close coordination with the Education and Program Manager

• Responsible for MHPSS planning and implementation plans and ensuring timely efficient and effective

implementation of the psychosocial activities

• Preparation of timely, quality, and comprehensive reports and assessments

• Coordinate with partners and local organizations to build linkages for refugees for the promotion of quality

referral pathways, strengthening MHPSS services, and ensuring their integration of MHPSS concerns to

different sectors

• Contribute to the development of the IRC MHPSS operational strategy as well as the design of new

relevant MHPSS interventions in Moldova tailored to the identified MHPSS needs and in line with global

best practices and standards.

• Support Moldova MHPSS program direction, including the provision of technical expertise on the program

design and development with government, and civil society partners.

• Develop appropriate training for local service providers on adversity and displacement and other areas

of MHPSS competencies prioritized by local partners.

• Plan and be responsible for the establishment of community-based mental health and psychosocial support

interventions

• Travel within Moldova for training, capacity building, liaison, and monitoring of IRC-supported projects

and activities.

• Participate in MHPSS coordination working groups for Moldova; participate in multi-sectoral technical

working groups where possible, including Education, Protection, and Child Protection

• Contribute to the development of project proposals, concept notes, and sector publications

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Psychology or in a related field.

• Minimum of 2 years working in MHPSS programming; preference for candidates who have previous

experience with direct service provision to vulnerable refugee and migrant populations.

• Experience with operationalizing MHPSS Global standards and principles, including knowledge of

international humanitarian standards for MHPSS programming.

• Knowledge of Accountability to Affected Populations framework, with experience working with vulnerable populations, especially refugees or asylum seekers.

• Excellent interpersonal and problem-solving skills are required.

• Responsible, Professional, and Integrity with the capacity to work under pressure, and flexibility

• Ability to work with people from different cultural settings and in teams, with excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in Romanian, Russian, and/or Ukrainian languages (written and spoken);

• Solid understanding of English (written and spoken) will be an asset.

Working hours:

• Monday to Friday, 8 hours per day, 5 days a week

• Occasional evenings and weekends on request

Professional Standards:

• All staff is required to adhere to THE IRC Way Standards for Professional Conduct and the IRC country

employment policies

• Adhere to the Code of Conduct every day – on the site and in the community

• Maintain confidentiality

• While in transit sites, all IRC staff must wear appropriate IRC visibility.

Closing Date: December 31, 2022.

IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard

to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status or

disability.

Disclaimer Clause: This job description is not an extensive list of the skills, effort, duties, and responsibilities

associated with the position.

____________________________________________________________________________

Professional Standards: 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

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Qualifications

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Added 1 year ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: rescue.org