MHPSS Technical Lead, Gaza At Project HOPE

Project HOPE is an international NGO of more than 1000 engaged employees and hundreds of volunteers who work in more than 25 countries, responding to the world’s most pressing global health challenges. Throughout our 60-year legacy, Project HOPE has treated millions of patients and provided more than $3 billion worth of medicines to local health care organizations around the world. We have helped build hundreds of health programs from the ground up and responded to humanitarian crises worldwide.

Code of Conduct

It is our shared responsibility and obligation to treat each other with respect, take affirmative steps to prevent matters involving Sexual Exploitation & Abuse and Trafficking in Persons, and to disclose all potential and actual violations of our Code of Conduct, which may include Conflicts of Interest, Fraud, Corruption, Discrimination or Harassment. Together we can reinforce a culture of respect, integrity, accountability, and transparency.

PROGRAM SUMMARY:

Project HOPE is providing humanitarian assistance to internally displaced and conflict-affected persons throughout Gaza. The portfolio in Gaza focuses on Health, Mental Health, Protection, and WASH programming in partnership with local NGOs. Our activities include the operation of several primary and sexual reproductive health clinics operated by local Project HOPE staff.

This position will be based in Gaza and is contingent upon funding.

Successful candidate must be able to travel through Israel to the position post.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Specialist will be responsible for supporting the integration of MHPSS activities into Project HOPE’s programmatic intervention in Gaza. (S)/he will take the lead in the development, roll-out and monitoring of community-based Psychosocial Support (PSS) programming focused on basic psychosocial support and low-intensity psychological interventions. The MHPSS Specialist will be responsible for the mental health support being provided at Project HOPE’s health clinics in Gaza, each staffed with PSS officers and social workers.

The MHPSS Specialist will also map and develop internal and external referral pathways with institutional partners and other NGOs providing PSS and protection services in the area. This position requires expert knowledge of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) guidelines in MHPSS in emergency settings; the ability to train and develop the capacity of national staff; on-the-job supervision and mentoring, and coordination and building referral links to other services providers. Under the direct supervision of the Country Director and in coordination with other specialists on the team, the MHPSS Technical Lead will also coordinate with the HQ-based technical and backstopping team.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

Please note that these responsibilities and programmatic priorities may shift as funding and the needs on the ground dictate. The below is as needed:

• Identify priority needs for mental health and psychosocial support in Project HOPE programmatic areas
• Map MHPSS actors and stablish referral pathways to complementary services and specialized services
• Participate in national clusters and technical working groups on MHPSS and protection
• Assess current MHPSS efforts for protection and health, identify context-specific gaps, duplications, and challenges.
• Manage PSS staff including MHPSS officers, PSS officers, and social workers at each primary health clinic.
• Support the team in the analysis of mental health data collected at targeted health facilities, shelters, IDP camps, and communities.
• Train volunteers and/or trainers in community-based protection and psychosocial support approaches and interventions such as psychological first aid (PFA)
• Provide clinical MHPSS program supervision to project staff, including general practitioners, MHPSS Program Coordinators, and community health workers (CHWs)
• Establish relationships and provide supervision for local NGOs in the program proposal, subgrant, and implementation phases of programming
• Conduct field visits to monitor and support MHPSS activities and interventions and support technical quality of programming by providing feedback and mentorship
• Lead and facilitate monthly team meetings with program staff and partners and share minutes of meetings with Project HOPE Gaza leadership.
• Facilitate trainings and workshops for general practitioners, nurses, CHWs engaged in the program
• Identify opportunities of mental health support for first responders and health workers.
• Develop workplans as it relates to mental health assessments, programming, and interventions.
• Track budgets, procurement plans, and workplans to ensure proper personnel, facilities, and supplies are available to meet program deliverables.
• Work closely with field leadership and HQ to design institutionally-funded MHPSS programming and budgets.

Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Program Management

• Actively participate in coordination mechanisms, including MH and Protection Sector Coordination in the affected areas
• Lead the development of quality control measures (i.e. on-the-job supervision checklists, impact measurement tools, client satisfaction mHGAP training reports) for mental health services and community-based PSS activities.
• Support the development of referral pathways to strengthen links in available services for MHPSS
• Support with team building, performance reviews, and professional development of staff

Documentation and Reporting:

• Ensure disaggregated and cumulative tracking of beneficiaries and documentation of all activities and outcomes
• Participate in preparation of internal and external reports, including submission of donor reports
• Take responsibility for collection and reporting of mental health project data
• Promote the culture of learning and documentation so that lessons learned, and good practices are documented and shared for institutional memory
• Ensure proper documentation of all trainings, completion, and analysis of pre- and post- knowledge tests and on the job supervision checklists as well as mental health PHC integration checklists. Sharing copies with MHPSS team data management, M&E, and reporting.
• Perform other duties as assigned by Team Leader

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Psychiatrist (highly desirable) or psychologist with a minimum of 7 years of experience working on MHPSS programs in humanitarian settings
• Expert knowledge of the IASC MHPSS guidelines in emergency settings
• mhGAP training and supervision experience
• Capacity building/curriculum development experience in community-based PSS programming.
• Ability to communicate in English and Arabic is required
• Experience in setting up MHPSS programs in rapid onset disaster/natural disaster settings
• Management, training, and supervision experience required
• Strong organizational and supervisory skills and interpersonal skills with the ability to work within different cultural environment
• Ability to work within a team structure or in isolation. Flexible and can cope in stressful environments with limited resources

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical demands:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee must be mobile in an office environment and able to use standard office equipment
• Must be able to communicate in verbal and written form and must be able to travel internationally

Work environment:

• Individual will be in Gaza, which is a resource-deprived environments with austere living conditions
• Travel for extended periods may be by air and/or other modes of transportation
• While international travel is not a regular part of every job, programmatic needs may require it intermittently
• Project HOPE employees may be required to travel or work in countries where working conditions are classified as “hardship”

Due to the substantial number of inquiries, we receive, only candidates who have met the required experience & qualifications for this position will be considered. No phone calls please.

However, since we are active around the world in the field of public health, we may wish to retain your CV in our database for other/future opportunities, unless you direct us otherwise.

Thank you very much for your interest in Project HOPE.