Psychosocial Support Specialist

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Coordination Office for the West Bank and Gaza Strip Programme is currently implementing the project entitled “Water Management and Adaptation of Agriculture to climate change in Northern Gaza” funded by France and the Global Climate Fund. This project seeks to develop a low-emission water management scheme in North-East Gaza Strip to sustain agricultural production and increase the resilience of highly vulnerable populations.

This position is related to the project “Water Management and Adaptation of Agriculture to climate change in Northern Gaza”, whose main objective is to develop, strengthen and empower low-emission water management for local communities in the Gaza Strip, in order to sustain agriculture production and to increase the resilience of the highly vulnerable population. The project’s main aim is the promotion of a climate resilient and water-efficient agriculture and enhancement of the institutional and operational capabilities for integrated and resilient water management.

Reporting Lines

The consultant will work under the overall supervision of the Head of Office, the functional and technical supervision of the Head of Programme and the direct administrative supervision of the Field Operations Coordinator in close collaboration with FAO´s expert on Water Management and Climate Adaptation of Agriculture

Technical Focus

The consultant shall provide day-to day field advisory, guidance and mentoring support to the farmers to enable them achieving the intended economic and institutional sustainability which will support a smooth and successful achievement of FAO project exit strategy.

Tasks and responsibilities

• In liaison with the project team, conduct consultations with farmers who have underutilized or abandoned their land and diagnose what conditions would be required to encourage them to return and resume cultivation; • Design and help deliver a psychosocial support package to the communities including collective and individual services aiming at re-boosting the community dynamics. A particular set of services and activities will target women and their position within the family – linking with the issue of their access to land; • The design of the consultations and support package should be built upon the account of symptoms of severe distress and perceived physical, social and psychological needs in the community collected with the baseline survey of the project, WHO/UNHCR´s Toolkit for Humanitarian Settings “Assessing Mental Health and Psychosocial Needs and Resources: Toolkit for Humanitarian Settings” and IASC Reference Group for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings´ Assessment Guide ; • Report methodology, limitations, challenges and outcomes achieved; • Contribute to progress reports and information materials when required. • Performs other duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in psychology, rural sociology, social work or closely related fields; • At least four years of experience in Psychosocial analyses and support in the framework of developmental and humanitarian projects, community and beneficiary mobilization, and liaising with project stakeholders related to psychosocial support; • Working knowledge of English or Arabic and limited knowledge of the other one. For PSA.SBS working knowledge of English or Arabic.

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus • Teamwork • Communication • Building Effective Relationships • Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement.

Technical/Functional Skills

• Good analytical and communication skills; • Experience in documenting and reporting on project activities; • Computer/word processing and standard office software skills; • Previous UN system experience is an advantage. • Ability to travel to and within the Gaza Strip • Experience in documenting and reporting on project activities; • Knowledge of standard office package (Word, Excel, Power Point) software skills; • Previous UN experience is a strong advantage.