Health & MHPSS Advisor – Ukraine At Medical Teams International

Assignment Location: Dnipro or Odessa, Ukraine

The Health & MHPSS Advisor position contributes to the calling of Medical Teams International through strategic design, planning and technical supervision of all health and emergency adjacent programming at the country level, which in Medical Teams Ukraine involves mental health and psycho-social support (MHPSS) and integrated Protection programming. Takes the lead in representing the organization technically in national bodies, coordinates with technical stakeholders and donors, identifies areas of improvement in quality or expansion of programming to address critical needs in targeted communities.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead the development of country level organization health and MHPSS strategies, models, and standards for implementing field teams
• Build technical and managerial capacity to contribute to localization objectives of the Ukraine response and ensure work is well-planned, informed by sector standards and norms, and senior program staff are accountable in delivery of high-quality work.
• Ensure programs and projects are aligned with Medical Teams strategy, core service package, and interventions are based on best available evidence and international standards.
• Work closely with the Country Director, senior management and field teams to identify strategic health needs in targeted communities or gaps in country level health response
• Work closely with Medical Coordinators to support and advocate for operational needs of the health and MHPSS programs
• Contextualize and adapt global guidelines, tools, and protocols to meet local clinical needs for program implementation and training with support of the HQ Health Advisor
• Monitor the health information systems and data management as carried out by M&E teams to ensure it is regularly analysed and meeting the needs of heath and MHPSS teams
• Support the Medical Coordinator, MHPSS Coordinator/Managers and health staff to troubleshoot challenges and respond to emerging needs
• Monitor and evaluate health and MHPSS services against accepted international humanitarian standards and ensure application of evidenced based practices to deliver high quality services to the targeted communities
• Assist in staff recruitment along with senior management, program manager/field coordinators and medical coordinators and ensure training and capacity building of health technical staff based on assessed needs
• Liaise with logistics teams to support medical supplies and pharmaceutical supply chains including technical aspects of procurement, warehousing, consumption tracking and pharmaceutical projections
• Liaise with Medical Coordinator, and logistics teams to support pharmaceutical supply chains for mhGAP medications including forecasting, procurement, warehousing, consumption tracking where relevant
• Support Field Coordinators to ensure timely procurement of equipment, supplies and training in line with work plans for MHPSS and Health
• Represent Medical Teams International at health, MHPSS Technical Working Group (TWG) and Protection coordination meetings at regional and national level, task force meetings and other partner coordination meetings and communicate relevant information back to country office team and HQ technical team
• Maintain relationships as first point of contact with the Ministry of Health and local health authorities, donor technical teams and partners
• Act as last line clinical consultation and make recommendations for referrals for specialized care
• Lead the production of site and donor reports leading on analysis of data and response to achievements or shortfalls
• Collaborate with management and partner agencies for outbreak and emergency preparedness and contingency planning
• Lead the delegated staff on technical related work including assessment planning, implementation, and reporting.
• Lead sector strategy and project design development for new donor proposals and budgeting processes including support for log frames and monitoring and evaluation plans along with M&E team
• Contribute and advise Health and MHPSS senior staff on workplans and objectives.
• Mentor, coach and capacity build Health and MHPSS senior staff members in the humanitarian architecture, donor approaches and compliance requirements.
• Participate in performance evaluations and uphold Medical Teams’ policies
• Ensure the Safeguarding of program participants and employees through promoting an environment of awareness and upholding the code of conduct provisions of Medical Teams Protection from Sexual Exploitation & Abuse, Child & Vulnerable Adult protection, and harassment-free workplace policies. Incumbents will remain alert and responsive to any child and adult safeguarding risks, acquire relevant knowledge and skills which will enable you to promote strong safeguarding practices, understand the child and adult safeguarding policy and procedures, and conduct yourself in a manner consistent with the Safeguarding code of conduct and behavior expectations.
• Ensure accountability is integrated into country strategies, program design, monitoring and evaluations, recruitment, staff onboarding, training and performance management, partnership agreements, and highlighted in reporting.

EDUCATION, LICENSES, & CERTIFICATIONS

• Doctor of medicine (MD) or other relevant clinical degree is required (e.g. Psychologist, Licensed counsellor, Marriage and Family Therapist, Social Worker)
• Postgraduate training in Public Health is an added advantage
• Certified trainer in Psychological First Aid, mhGap, and/or Problem Management + desirable

EXPERIENCE

• Minimum 3-6 years’ progressive responsibility in international humanitarian programs
• Minimum 2 years’ senior management related to primary, maternal and child health, reproductive health, communicable diseases, MHPSS and Protection, in humanitarian or development programming, with at least one year in a humanitarian context at an NGO.
• Experience with an international NGO or UN agency is required
• Experience outside of home country is desired