MHPSS Specialist

Work Arrangement:

Job Description

The MHPSS Specialist will be responsible for managing and implementing the technical aspects of the MHPSS component within IRC health country program. Primary focus will involve enhancing the capacity of local partners and national staff. The MHPSS specialist must have strong expertise in training/capacity building, on-the-job supervision, as well as external and internal coordination capacities, This will include training, supervising, and supporting a national team, including the MHPSS Manager, Clinical Psychologists, Psychiatrists, and the team of Community Health Promoters. The MHPSS specialist will work in close collaboration with the Health Coordinator responsible for overseeing various health-related activities, including primary health, sexual and reproductive health (SRH), and pharmaceutical services.

This position will be based in Dnipro, with frequent travel to different oblasts across Ukraine.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES:

· - Assess the mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) needs, resources, and capacities within the existing health program, and execute plans to enhance service quality.

· - Collaborate closely with the program's Health Coordinator to ensure seamless coordination and alignment of MHPSS activities with other health-related components, such as primary health, SRH, and pharmaceutical services.

· - Foster partnerships with national and international stakeholders involved in delivering MHPSS services to strengthen the local mental health system, particularly for patients with moderate to severe mental health conditions.

· - Provide technical support to IRC and partner staff in MHPSS activities, with a strong emphasis on capacity-building and service quality.

· - Actively participate in coordination mechanisms related to MHPSS and advocate for the implementation of IASC MHPSS guidelines.

· - Train national staff (both medical and non-medical) in mhGAP, community mental health promotion, and mental health case management.

· - Assist in the development and implementation of data collection, monitoring, and evaluation processes, including on-the-job supervision checklists and client satisfaction measures, to ensure the quality of mental health services and community-based psychosocial activities.

· - Contribute to donors' reporting and participate in proposal development to secure funding for the project.

· - Implement the project in accordance with IRC and global MHPSS standards and guidelines, collaborating closely with IRC's Mental Health Technical Advisor for the development and review of training materials, documentation, and reports.

· - Coordinate and technically support other sectors within IRC country program, such as Child Protection, Women Protection and Empowerment, Protection and Rule of Law, Rapid Response Team, etc.

· - Undertake any other duties as assigned by the Health Coordinator, ensuring the comprehensive and efficient delivery of health-related activities

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

· - A psychologist with a minimum of four years of experience in mental health (MH) and psychosocial support (PSS) programs, with a preference for experience in humanitarian settings.

· - Proven technical proficiency in assessing, designing, and delivering responses to both pre-existing and emergency-induced MHPSS needs.

· Familiarity with and adherence to IASC Guidelines and best practices in MHPSS for emergency settings.

· - While not mandatory, having experience in training and clinical supervision is desirable.

· - Strong grasps on evidence based MHPSS training packages and capable of training on them, including PFA, mhGAP, PM+, community-based mental health approaches, and other.

· - Excellent command of the use of Microsoft Office especially Outlook, Work, Excel and Power Point;

· - Fluency in English is a requirement, and knowledge of Ukrainian and/or Russian languages would be considered a valuable asset.

Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

REPORTING LINES

· - Provides Technical Supervision to MHPSS Manager, Psychiatrist, Clinical Psychologists and Community Health Promoters.

· - Position reports to Health Coordinator.

· - Closely collaborate with: Senior Primary Health Manager, Pharmaceutical Manager and Field Coordinator.

PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS

The International Rescue Committee is determined to protect the people it serves and staff from all kinds of harm, including sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment. It is committed to take all necessary preventive measures and create an environment where people feel safe. IRC builds diverse and inclusive teams of professionals who promote critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity to deliver the best possible services to our clients.

IRC workers must adhere to the core values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces its safeguarding policies to protect adult and child clients from any form of exploitation and abuse, including sexual exploitation and abuse, and its staff from sexual harassment and violence.

Where misconduct is alleged, IRC follows a Zero tolerance approach and takes all necessary actions and corrective measures. IRC investigation unit comprises of experts and trained investigators that ensures professional survivor-centered investigations are conducted if allegations of safeguarding violations are reported through the safe and accessible reporting channels that IRC makes available to its staff, partners, and clients.

These commitments are set out in IRC’s Safeguarding Policies, accessible in English and in Ukrainian language via this link: https://rescue.box.com/v/irc-safeguarding-policies

IRC is an active member of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) set-up in Ukraine.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

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Qualifications