Technical Coordinator for Mental Health & Psychosocial Support (MHPSS)

HIAS is working closely with its implementation partner in Ukraine, and with newly identified partners in neighboring countries, to rapidly respond to the immediate needs triggered by the invasion and attacks on Ukraine. The conflict in Ukraine has set off a wave of displacement internally, and into countries along Ukraine’s western borders. HIAS’ response is focused on multi-purpose cash programming, MHPSS, child protection, GBV reduction, prevention, and response, and legal protection. HIAS is working directly with local implementation partners, local NGOs, and other civil society actors, including R2P based in Western Ukraine, to support vulnerable refugees and displaced populations. As the situation is dynamic, complex, and experiencing rapid changes, HIAS will continue to assess, identify new potential areas of operation and implementation partners, and will continue to develop our response strategy, programmatic interventions, and positioning moving forward.

HIAS seeks an experienced Emergency Technical Coordinator for Mental Health & Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) to deploy in support of HIAS’ Ukraine Response. The Emergency Technical Coordinator will be responsible for ensuring the quality and effectiveness of HIAS’s emergency responses as it relates to MHPSS programs and will support rapid assessments, response strategy and design, humanitarian coordination, and start-up of emergency activities where requested.

This position will report to the Emergency Team Lead based in Ukraine. Emergency Technical Coordinators will also work closely with the Emergency Department, The Director of Resilience Programs, Strategy & Measurement Department, Public Affairs, and/or other HIAS departments as necessary.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Directly manage and mentor local partner MHPSS Coordinator in best practices and train them in IASC and WHO methodology compliant with HIAS standards.
• Serve as technical focal point for representation to donors including, but not limited to USAID/BHA and European donors.
• Develop and deliver MHPSS capacity building to partner staff that included Trainer of Trainers.
• Act as a senior member of the Emergency Team on the ground, providing leadership and expertise in MHPSS
• Contribute to formulating a coherent emergency strategy on MHPSS.
• Produce and share assessment report to guide program development and implementation.
• Develop an MHPSS emergency plan of action with budget and recommendations to support programming with identified local partners in the region.
• Identify, liaise, and collaborate with existing formal and informal community leaders, service providers, government structures, local authorities, and NGOs/CBOs in organizing joint MHPSS work.
• Provide guidance and technical support in developing specific MHPSS interventions for displaced populations, as well as strategies and best practices for addressing impending MHPSS needs and service gaps.
• Train key community members, stakeholders, and HIAS’ local partner(s) in key, basic MHPSS interventions and guidelines such as psychological first aid (including necessary contextual adaptations), and aspects of IASC MHPSS guidelines.
• Map referral pathways in close coordination with existing partners/local stakeholders
• Provide input to identified HIAS partners regarding global minimum standards and identified best practices for MHPSS
• Ensure that HIAS actions are part of a coordinated response with partner agencies. Work to improve interagency coordination, sharing of information, and promotion of MHPSS guidelines and best practices.
• Advocate for the importance of integrating MHPSS and global protection minimum standards in a multi-sectoral setting.
• Participate and represent MHPSS programming in meetings with donors, working groups, and relevant humanitarian clusters.
• Provide technical guidance for rapid needs assessment and contribute to the development of an integrated emergency response plan, and support start-up of emergency programming where requested, working closely with HIAS’ Emergency Department, Technical Directors, and Strategy & Measurement teams (or other HIAS departments and divisions as needed).
• Support the Team Lead and/or existing HIAS Country Office to assess, identify, and select implementing partners with demonstrated technical capacity to deliver high quality emergency MHPSS programming.
• Ensure implementation in accordance with international standards and in close coordination with HIAS’ Technical Directors and Emergency Department and contribute to monitoring and reporting of emergency activities.
• Utilize tools, resources, and program guidance materials to support program implementation and program monitoring, in close conjunction with programs staff and regional M&E staff.
• Represent HIAS and coordinate with other stakeholders, including agencies, working groups, local government, financial institutions, or otherwise, to promote the delivery of best practice humanitarian assistance.
• Provide technical guidance for rapid needs assessments led by HIAS.
• Represent HIAS in coordination groups and clusters in Ukraine as requested/needed and coordinate closely with implementation partners, other international NGO’s, UN agencies, host government, bilateral and multilateral donors, and other principal stakeholders.
• Where appropriate, provide timely and accurate information to the Public Affairs team in support of Communications, Media, and Advocacy efforts around the humanitarian emergency. This will include ensuring that all information, publicity, and fundraising material recognizes and respects the dignity of those affected by disasters or emergencies.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS:

• Dynamic individual with a proven ability to achieve results in a demanding, fast-paced, and often insecure environment.
• Ability to work in austere and dynamic environments and willingness to work and travel to multiple locations within Ukraine.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in emergency/humanitarian MHPSS work, of which at least two must be in the field in complex, challenging, and/or insecure environments.
• Knowledge of guidelines and principles and good practices of MHPSS in emergency settings.
• Knowledge of integrated MHPSS intervention models, including general protection and gender-based violence.
• Experience working in MHPSS programming within the region of Eastern Europe preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in a technical and/or management-level role in field-level emergency programming.
• Clear career trajectory reflecting a deep level of emergency technical expertise within his/her specific specialty area, including knowledge and understanding of the latest standards and best practices among international humanitarian and emergency actors.
• Demonstrated experience conducting rapid needs assessments and designing technically-sound programs to respond to identified needs on the ground.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement capacity building training of staff on MHPSS.
• Experience in both direct implementation as well as sub-partner management preferred.
• Experience designing programs and contributing to proposals and budgets for standard institutional emergency donors.
• Willingness to relocate for up to six months and at short notice.
• Ability to work well with others and rapidly adapt to new countries/contexts.
• Flexibility to work in challenging environments and with high workloads, potentially with limited mobility.
• Excellent English language skills (verbal and written) required.
• Education: Bachelor’s Degree required; Master’s Degree preferred.

How to apply

Apply at the HIAS website.