MHPSS Project Coordinator (Open to Foreign Nationals)

Main responsibilities:

• Effectively manage MHPSS program personnel and coordinate the day-to-day activities of the MHPSS program, including planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluating, and reporting.
• Conduct routine project needs assessments and program reviews to ensure successful implementation and donor compliance
• Oversee budget development and planning; ensure that regular financial spending is in line with initial planning.
• Manage MHPSS activities and team, ensure there is adequate coverage during periods of absence, training needs are met and performance evaluated
• Conduct regular monthly meetings with all staff at the PHC/SDC to go through program progress, identify key challenges, and address other issues
• Conduct weekly meetings with the MH Technical Adviser and clinic Team Leader to identify and deal with key challenges and address other needs
• Work closely with MH Technical Adviser to: ensure support, capacity building, and training development for clinical staff; ensure program implementation and development of strategic direction for field work; develop a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation framework for the MHPSS program.
• Provide managerial and administrative support in developing and carrying out MHPSS staff training and development
• Ensure that all FPSC staff receives appropriate and adequate MHPSS orientation including psychological first aid, crisis management, and mhGAP
• Implement the National Mental Health Programme MHPSS guidelines in all aspects of program work.
• Hire and build capacity of national staff to appropriately implement programs
• Develop contingency plan to address challenges encountered by field and office personnel

Main activities:

Coordination:

• Along with the MH Technical Adviser, represent FPSC at relevant coordination meetings (UNHCR, NMHP, MOSA, etc.).
• Collaborate with existing government structures, local authorities, and other NGOs organizing MHPSS activities. Specifically the Ministry of Public Health National Mental Health Programme and the Ministry of Social Affairs.
• Work to improve interagency coordination, sharing of information, and promote MHPSS guidelines, best practices and NMHP-endorsed materials and resources. This includes planning joint assessments and response strategies.
• Keep in line with and work towards implementing responsibilities agreed to with the National Mental Health Programme
• Identify or work with suitable local partner organizations and institutions for joint MHPSS work
• Identify and where appropriate collaborate with existing formal and informal community leaders and service providers
• Coordinate with representatives from the National Mental Health Program, MoPH to oversee the work of the project in terms of integration of mental health into primary health care through regular meetings with the NMHP representative person.
• Directly supervise MH Technical Advisor, and additional staff, consultants, and interns as needed, ensuring there is adequate coverage during periods of absence.
• Take the lead in providing necessary data and narrative to the Information and Reporting Officer for monthly, quarterly, and annual program reports and ad hoc Board Reports for HQ.
• Liaise closely with the Logistics Coordinator on issues relating to drug and equipment procurement.
• Work with DCD, Program Development and Quality Manager, senior management and field teams to plan for future program directions in terms of beneficiary needs, new sites, and / or new programs.

Program Development:

• Meet regularly with the Deputy Country Director, Program Development and Quality Manager; and MH Technical Advisor to work on programmatic and technical activities and explore opportunities to develop the program.
• Lead proposal development of mental health activities, including staffing and budget needs

Reporting:

• Establish systematic data collection for reports.
• Along with the MH Technical Adviser, take a lead in writing MHPSS section of all donor reports.
• Along with the MH Technical Adviser, provide regular updates to FPSC headquarters and the National Mental Health Programme on MHPSS program development, implementation, needs, successes, challenges and progress.
• Submit data required for donor reports and monthly reports, as required by the Head of Mission.

Professional Conduct:

• To behave with self-restraint at all times and respect the dignity of the beneficiaries.
• To be able to work as part of a team and participate in all activities of the mental health unit.
• To believe in concepts of equity, human rights, neutrality and impartiality.
• To demonstrate motivation at work.
• To demonstrate willingness to improve own knowledge and skills by participating in any capacity building activities.
• To respect each team member’s position, work, and specialty.
• To adapt to special situations or demands from supervisor.
• To believe in a holistic community-based approach for mental health.

Requested Competence/Skills/Profile:

Education:

• A Master in Public Health is required. A university degree in a health or mental health related field is a plus.

Experience:

• Experience working within the field of mental health is highly valued.
• At least 2-3 years of experience in management positions and/or NGOs

Required professional skills:

• Coordination and management skills
• Monitoring and evaluation skills
• Trained in human resource management (according to the People in aid code of Good Practice) is a plus
• Training on Frontline Crisis Management Protocol is a plus

Knowledgeable or willing to build capacity in:

• Mental health in complex emergencies (IASC guidelines, Psychological First Aid, mhGAP…)
• Biopsychosocial model in mental health
• Human rights-based approach in mental health
• The predictable stresses of humanitarian aid work and the policies and practices needed to mitigate them.

Competencies:

• Proven experience on program management including budget management
• Ability to work in a multidisciplinary team and independently
• Ability to maintain healthy group dynamics, excellent communication, problem solving, interpersonal and conflict resolution skills
• Ability to adhere to ethical considerations and principles with regard to work with vulnerable populations
• Ability to work in unstable contexts.
• Excellence in organizing, planning and prioritizing tasks.
• Ability to identify strengths and weakness and in proposing shared solutions for the continuous improvement of providing quality services.
• Strong ability to observe, analyse, report and take initiative.
• Ability to seek, collect, and critically analyse data and information needed to achieve the tasks.
• Ability to communicate any technical or non-technical topic with clarity and to share any important project information with the team.
• Ability to reflect on your own work, recognize what needs improvement, and propose solutions.

Language proficiency:

• Fluency in Arabic and in English is a must.

Computer skills:

• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel
• Internet use.