Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Specialist At HIAS

POSITION SUMMARY:

Contribute to the design, implementation and monitoring of the SMAPS-BC program strategy for the refugee, migrant and host community population, ensuring that activities comply with the operating procedures and standards of HIAS Peru, as well as with the national regulations and global guidelines of SMAPS-BC. The SMAPS specialist will contribute to the technical strengthening of the program, through support to the SMAPS team for the implementation of projects and activities, development of technical tools, capacity building, development of proposals, and mainstreaming of the SMAPS approach in the different programs, as well as with local and cooperation actors. Likewise, the SMAPS specialist will participate in technical working groups and other inter-institutional coordination spaces, with support from HIAS leaders.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
• Participates in the development of the SMAPS-BC strategy, and in the development of policies, operational strategies and guidelines within the framework of HIAS Peru priorities.
• Leads actions that guarantee the implementation of the strategy, policy and guideline in SMAPS-BC.
• Develops a skills development plan and materials to strengthen the capacities of the teams based on the global and regional guidelines that HIAS has established, as well as global standards on the subject.
• Develops, adapts and implements SMAPS-BC intervention methodologies in coordination with partners such as Columbia University, UNHCR, BPRM, etc.
• Designs and implements tools for information management, systematization and capitalization of experiences and good practices in the teams, identifying opportunities for dissemination of information.
• Records and updates information for monthly and periodic reports of the area.
• Coordinates and supports capacity building in low-intensity interventions in SMAPS-BC (Basic psychosocial and intercultural skills, (Facing Problems Plus (EP +), Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), Self-Help Plus (Help +) etc.) and others aimed at the local population or organizations present in the community according to requirements.
• Prepares and maintains updated the mapping of actors linked to the subject in the intervention areas in coordination with the territorial offices.
• Identifies training needs and implements actions to strengthen the management of SMAPS-BC, both for HIAS staff, partners and the user community of the projects.
• Follows up on the application of technical guidelines in humanitarian aid and emergency contexts.
• Identifies new offers of specialized services available to people of interest, maintaining communication with humanitarian organizations and local authorities for case management.
• Ensures the implementation of SMAPS activities within the framework of institutional guidelines and strategies in accordance with the HIAS PERU project portfolio at the territorial level and in accordance with the global standards of Humanitarian Aid, the Sphere Manual and the Minimum Standards for the Protection of Children and Adolescents in Humanitarian Action.
• Ensures the implementation of internal monitoring of the SMAPS-BC program team at the local level and produces reports.
• Develops the strengthening of strategic alliances of the SMAPS program with community, local, national and international organizations, with a focus on ensuring continuity and sustainability.
• Participates in coordination and follow-up meetings with the area coordinator, the Program Management and/or other programmatic areas of the program and the headquarters.
• Trains, accompanies and technically advises the teams in the implementation of the SMAPS program activities in accordance with the guidelines established by HIAS.
• Participates and attends inter-institutional coordination and articulation spaces and other strategic relationship actions, such as the GTRM, and leads when assigned at the institutional level. Designs and accompanies the organization of intervention and activities in the territory according to the annual planning of the programs.
• Actively participates in the development of instruments and methodologies for collecting information and for the implementation of matters related to SMAPS-BC.
• Technically develops new proposals related to SMAPS-BC.
• Participates in international group and bilateral technical meetings with the SMAPS-BC advisor for Latin America and the Caribbean.
• Leads the technical design of proposals related to SMAPS and establishes a map for strengthening partners – donors on the subject.
• Others that are required by the program and country office.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS:

Studies:
• Mental Health professionals are essential (Psychology, Social/Community Psychology, Clinical Psychology, or related to the position).
• Postgraduate studies in topics relevant to Community/Social Psychology, Human Rights, Human Mobility, Social Development or Humanitarian Aid are essential.
• Training related to Social Protection, Child Protection or Gender and Gender-Based Violence is desirable.

Experience:
Essential:
• Five years of professional experience in the field of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support programs.
• Experience in the operationalization and application of the intervention principles of the IASC guidelines and other guidelines for humanitarian response and psychosocial intervention.
• Experience working in international organizations or NGOs, mainly within the framework of humanitarian response and/or international cooperation projects.
• Experience in psychosocial care for different profiles in vulnerable situations (population on the move and in shelters, adult survivors of GBV and trafficking; separated, unaccompanied girls, boys and adolescents, and/or survivors of violence; people with disabilities; people from the LGBTIQ+ community, etc.).
• Experience leading teams at a technical and operational level.
Experience related to community strengthening strategies for protection and community-based psychosocial activities.
Desirable:
• Experience with migrant and refugee populations.
• Experience in implementing scalable psychological interventions.

General and specific knowledge:

• Relevant knowledge on the protection of refugee and migrant populations in vulnerable contexts.
• Solid knowledge of Mental Health and Community-based Psychosocial Support in emergency and humanitarian aid contexts.
• Strengthened knowledge of gender and gender-based violence.
• Knowledge of project design, management and implementation.
• Intermediate-advanced knowledge of Excel.
• Demonstrate ability to manage project cycle management tools with a focus on results.
• Advanced English: spoken and written.

Skills:
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills, both oral and written; ability to work in a team.
• Respectful, able to discuss sensitive issues honestly, openly, effectively, in groups and with individuals.
• Interest and commitment to human rights and gender equality.
• Proactivity, creativity, and flexibility.
• Management of team supervision.
• Capacity for analysis and decision-making.
• Availability to travel frequently in HIAS Peru’s areas of intervention.