Mental Health & Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Manager

ROLE PURPOSE: 
To provide operation support for MHPSS programming, training, and coaching to CP and MHPSS teams delivering all MHPSS activities including structured and/or focused MHPSS services in multiple governorates; to develop and adapt evidence-based MHPSS training and educational materials in collaboration with the CP MHPSS TA, and in line with global and regional standards and guidelines, whilst ensuring their relevance to the needs in each program location; to translate technical documents; and to -ensure compliance with good practice standards and SOPs  at the field-level

In the event of a major humanitarian emergency, the role holder will be expected to work outside the normal role profile and be able to vary working hours accordingly.

SCOPE OF ROLE: 

Reports to: Operations Director with technical reporting to the CP MHPSS TA, Erbil.

Staff directly reporting to this post: None but the MHPSS Manager will be responsible for overseeing the operational aspects of all MHPSS team work and will oversee the quality of MHPSS programming at the field level with direct guidance from CP MHPSS TA.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

•    Work with the CP MHPSS on TA on assessing the current MHPSS programming within SCI Iraq CP, identify gaps, duplications, challenges and best practices
•     Based on the internal assessment findings; in the first month, supporting the CP MHPSS TA to develop a 12 month feasible work plan clarifying roles and responsibilities of all relevant parties including sector leads, CP coordinators, officers and volunteers.
•    Under the guidance and supervision of the CP MHPSS TA, the MHPSS manager will coordinate with the MHPSS team in the field to pilot and rollout of PM plus-. Participating in technical supervision of the trained teams in the implementation of the MHPSS- toolkits. Lead in fostering SCI Child protection and Education integrated programming through identification and implementation of MHPSS internal and external referral pathways
•     Provide mental health and psychosocial program supervision to project staff (re: MHPSS assistants , officers and MHPSS volunteers) inclusive of ongoing capacity building, professional development, technical support and performance reviews.
•     Conduct field visits to monitor and support MHPSS activities and interventions provided, and support technical quality of programming by providing feedback and mentorship
•     Lead and facilitate monthly team meetings with program staff and share minutes of the meetings with the health coordinator
•     Facilitate trainings and workshops, including organizing logistics, collaborating with co-trainer/s, and documenting program indicators.
•     Participate in rapid needs assessments with other SCI sectors and external agencies as required

Program Management of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support:
•    Work with CO MEAL team to co-lead the implementation of data collection, M&E and quality control measures (e.g. on the job supervision checklists, impact measurement tools,) for mental health services, and community-based psycho-social activities
•    Support the development of referral pathways to strengthen links to available services for MHPSS.
•    With technical Guidance by the CP MHPSS TA co-lead the development of appropriate evidence-informed community-based MH promotion materials and activities
•    Support with team building, performance review and professional development of staff.
•    Assist when requested in developing budgets and proposals and ensure that proper personnel at the facilities are recruited
•    Track budgets, procurement plans, and work plans to ensure proper personnel and supplies are available to meet grant deliverables

Documentation and Reporting:
•     Participate in preparation of internal and external reports, including submission of weekly reports to Health Coordinator
•      Promote the culture of learning and documentation so that lessons learned and good practices are documented and shared for institutional memory and learning as well as to advocate on behalf of the communities with which we work
•     Support the development of mental health and psychosocial monitoring and evaluation tools and related activities for improving performance

Coordination and operational support:
•    Work with program and area managers at the field level to ensure that the necessary operational support is in place for MHPSS Officers to carry out their duties.
•    Provide ongoing feedback to the CP MHPSS TA about operational needs and funding needs at each field location to inform proposal development and national, regional and global advocacy.

Professional requirements:
•    Stay up-to-date on evidence-based psychological interventions and advances in the field of Child and Adolescent Psychology.-

BEHAVIOURS (Values in Practice)
Accountability:
•    holds self accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values
•    holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities – giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved.
Ambition:
•    sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves and their team, takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages their team to do the same
•    widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others
•    future orientated, thinks strategically and on a global scale.
Collaboration:
•    builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, Members and external partners and supporters
•    values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength
•    approachable, good listener, easy to talk to.
Creativity:
•    develops and encourages new and innovative solutions
•    willing to take disciplined risks.
Integrity:
•    honest, encourages openness and transparency; demonstrates highest levels of integrity

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Required
•    Post-graduate in Clinical, Counselling, Educational or Developmental Psychology, with expertise in child and adolescent mental health.
•    Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible professional experience directly providing psychological services.
•    Proven capacity to train, supervise, and coach staff in MHPSS technical skills and coordination.
•    Experience developing evidence-based MHPSS training materials.
•    Must be a motivated advocate for child and adolescent mental health and wellbeing
•    Sound knowledge of IASC MHPSS guidelines, human rights, and protection in humanitarian contexts.
•    Work experience in humanitarian emergencies or protracted-conflict settings.
•    Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work within different cultural environments.
•    Ability to work flexibly and cope with stressful workloads and limited resources.
•    Frequent travel to multiple field sites in both the KRI and Federal regions of Iraq.
•    Strong organizational skills and ability to work with limited supervision.
•    Competent in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel.
•    Excellent written and verbal communication and reporting skills.
•    Fluency in Arabic and English, Kurdish is an asset
•    Comfortable with high levels of ambiguity and able to take decisions independently in a changing context.
•    Commitment to Save the Children values and Child Safeguarding.

Desired

•    Experience working with IDPs, refugees and returnees.
•    Experience providing dedicated child and adolescent MHPSS services.

The duties and responsibilities listed are representative of the nature of work required and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Position is subject to receipt of funds. 

We strongly encourage females to apply.

The Organisation
We employ approximately 25,000 people across the globe and work on the ground in over 100 countries to help children affected by crises, or those that need better healthcare, education and child protection. We also campaign and advocate at the highest levels to realise the right of children and to ensure their voices are heard.

We are working towards three breakthroughs in how the world treats children by 2030:
•    No child dies from preventable causes before their 5th birthday
•    All children learn from a quality basic education and that,
•    Violence against children is no longer tolerated

We know that great people make a great organization, and that our employees play a crucial role in helping us achieve our ambitions for children.  We value our people and offer a meaningful and rewarding career, along with a collaborative and inclusive workplace where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued.

Application Information:
Please apply using a cover letter and up-to-date CV as a single document. Please also include details of your current remuneration and salary expectations.

We need to keep children safe so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.

Save the Children does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.