MHPSS Specialist

1-    Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Actively lead or participate in coordination mechanisms within the community in reference to outreach, awareness raising, advocacy of principles of IASC MHPSS guidelines
• Identify and train local social work / community mobilizers on community outreach, mental health case management, identification of cases, support and follow up, as well as awareness raising
• Ensure the development and implementation of a functional two-way referral system within the MHPSS team (between community and SOS facilities), through the effective collaboration between different stakeholders and service providers
• Guides the implementation of MHPSS programming with a focus on technical aspects and quality assurance through close monitoring and supervision
• Engage trained staff in on the job mentoring and support
• Provide mental health and psychosocial support services as needed
• Ensure that MHPSS program components are implemented according to approved work plan, to achieve project deliverables. Via strong planning and monitoring, identifying potential obstacles to programmatic success in a timely fashion, and implementing corrective actions as needed in liaison with VTeC Supervisor & Project Manager
• Ensure technical oversight and field monitoring of the MHPSS staff to ensure quality control and adequate implementation of the planned tools and frameworks
• Ensure completion of pre & post knowledge tests (to assess, monitor and evaluate efficiency of PSS curricular provided) and on the job supervision checklists
• Support collection and reporting of project data by community mobilizers
• Provide training and capacity building in other MHPSS topics as found relevant and appropriate, depending on identified needs (such as psychological first aid, IASC guidelines, etc…)
• Develop, train and implement psychosocial and recreational activities (such as child friendly and youth friendly activities)
• Contribute to the development of case studies of success stories and lessons learned, to highlight the EiE Project’s areas of expertise and added value
• Assist in the development of new proposals as per needs identified by MHPSS team on the field
• Provides regular comprehensive updates and reports to the VTeC supervisor in reference to project’s status, current and emerging issues
• Develop scope of work, project deliverables and monitoring and evaluation indicators and targets (in terms of MHPSS) together with the VTeC supervisor and Project Manager as/when required.
•  

Knowledge Management:

• To lead and participate in weekly team meetings with MHPSS team, and engage effectively with the VteC educational team in close coordination with VteC supervisor
• To ensure appropriate and adequate documentation of data collected (hard & soft copies)
• Sharing of information within the field-level with the project’s team as lessons learned
• Ensure proficiency in compiling weekly reports, mothly reports and sitreps
• Any other duties found related to the nature of the job as suggested by the VteC Supervisor and Project Manager.

Skills and Competencies: 

• Experience in mental health and psychosocial support interventions for children and adolescents is a must
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement capacity building training of staff on MHPSS
• He/She is a communicative person, approachable, credible, confident, leadership qualities, ability to command respect & authority, good planner & organiser, good attitude fitting SOS Philosophy
• He/She demonstrates a positive role model, as well as conflict-solving behaviors. Acquires familiarity with creative methodologies and approaches in engaging with children.
• Must be well organized with good oral and written communication skills and the ability to multi-task while prioritizing main objectives. He/She should have a professional manner, possess good interpersonal skills and very strong work ethic. He/She is very emphatic, honest and possess the ability to convince people.
• Proficient computer skills in Microsoft Office (Outlook, PowerPoint, WOrd & Excel) are required.

• Child Protection

SOS Children’s Villages works in accordance with the UNCRC: The best interest of the child is our primary consideration. Every child has the right to develop to his or her full potential, to quality, education, participation and non-discrimination. Everybody has the responsibility to protect children from all forms of abuse, abandonment, exploitation, violence,maltreatment, neglect, harm and discrimination.

Qualification Required:

• BS degree in Social Work or Psychology
• At least two years of experience implementing MHPSS programming in humanitarian settings
• Highly motivated and committed to support and assist refugee chidren regardless of their origin and cultural background