Mental Health and Psycho-social Support Specialist (f/m/d) At SOS Children’s Villages International

SOS Children’s Villages, founded in 1949 by Hermann Gmeiner, is the world’s largest non-governmental organization focused on supporting children and young people without parental care, or at risk of losing it.

Child neglect, abuse and abandonment is everywhere. Families are at risk of separation. Locally led, we work in more than 130 countries and territories to strengthen families who are under pressure so they can stay together. When this is not in a child or young person’s best interests, we provide quality care according to their unique needs.

Together with partners, donors, communities, children, young people and families, we enable children to grow up with the bonds they need to develop and become their strongest selves. We speak up for each child’s rights and advocate for change so all children can grow up in a supportive environment.

Location: Vienna

Duration: Limited 12 month

Mission

Ensure availability of mental health and psycho-social support services for children and their families affected by the war in Ukraine and take the programmatic lead in designing and implementing a program that responds to the MHPSS needs of the program participants

Tasks & Responsibilities

• In collaboration with the Global Program Expert Group (GPEG) as well as regional and team on the ground, lead the development, adaptation or expansion of a MHPSS work plan for Q1/Q2 2022 and assist with the formulation of strategies for immediate and longer term MHPSS support in light of the crisis.
• Guide and assist in the identification of beneficiaries in need of specific psychological counseling and ensure individual or group support for the identified beneficiaries
• Support the team to identify severe cases to be referred to specialized psychological/psychiatric service providers
• Serve as Case Manager – identificationa and collaboration with other key players in the field for effective synergy of interventions
• Lead the continuous assessment of MHPSS needs of children, adolescents and youths and ensure that these are appropriately reflected in project implementation.
• Lead analysis and monitoring of the MHPSS situation and highlight MHPSS evidence based best practice that could be applied by SOS CV in the different emergency operations/settings
• Develop methodologies and data collection techniques for assessments, indicators, programme management, evaluations and research related to MHPSS .
• Ensure MHPSS SOPs are developed / in place and provide technical advisory services to the country offices and partners alike in the practical implementation of these SOPs
• Capture evidence and learning from MHPSS interventions to advocate and inform future programming
• Participate in recruitment of additional MHPSS personnel as needed
• Provide support and supervision sessions to psychologists, social workers, volunteers and other individuals involved in project activities
• Review training needs of staff, volunteers and others involved in MHPSS activities and provide trainings relating to training of trainers, specialized training and awareness raising initiatives (orientation seminars, mini-trainings, briefings, project reviews) and Basic Psychosocial skills training
• Actively participate in local and district level cluster meetings and working groups and coordinate with other local, national and international actors in the MHPSS sector
• Provide reports on MHPSS activities as required by supervisor and donors

Requirements:

• Bachelor or Master Degree in a relevant discipline (e.g. clinical or counselling psychology, Social work, Psychiatry, Phycology, mental health care, Early Education or public health etc.).
• At least 5 years of professional experience in programmes with MHPSS focus, among which minimum 2 years in an emergency response or recovery context
• Experience in training and supervising others and in training/mentoring/coaching on the job
• Strong coordination and networking skills, and ability to represent SOS CV and its work in external meetings
• Flexibility, excellent organizational and improvisational skills
• Ability to work under pressure, in a challenging environment and to handle stress
• Politically and culturally sensitive, awareness of gender issues, with qualities of patience, tact and diplomacy
• Fluency in English; Ukrainian or Russian are an asset / required
• Willingness to potentially work in a volatile security environment and to travel to field locations

We offer

• A diverse range of interesting tasks in a leading INGO multicultural working environment
• As a responsible employer we provide a range of training schemes and encourage educational enhancement
• A salary that will be commensurate with experience and qualifications