MHPSS Senior Technical Officer – Ukraine At Source Handicap International – Humanity & Inclusion

Handicap International/Humanity & Inclusion (HI) is an independent and impartial international solidarity organization, which intervenes in situations of poverty and exclusion, conflicts and disasters. Working alongside people with disabilities and vulnerable populations, it acts and speaks out to meet their essential needs, improve their living conditions and promote respect for their dignity and fundamental rights. More info: www.hi.org

HI is committed to an employment policy in favour of persons with disabilities.

JOB CONTEXT:

From February 2022, HI has re-opened a Country Programme in Ukraine to respond to the humanitarian needs triggered by the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation. In 2024, HI pillars of interventions are:

• Health: HI aims to improve access to quality physical rehabilitation and mental health and psychosocial support services (MHPSS) for conflict-affected vulnerable population.
• Protection: Given the scale of humanitarian and protection needs, HI intervenes at various levels to ensure that vulnerable conflict-affected populations have access to multi-sectoral services tailored to their needs. In addition, HI aims to foster a disability-inclusive humanitarian response.
• Armed Violence Reduction: Ongoing attacks dangerously exacerbated Explosive Ordnance (EO) contamination in Ukraine. In light of this, HI is conducting a multi-pronged approach to EO Risk Education and Conflict Preparedness and Protection (CPP), adaptable to the evolution of the conflict and is looking at extending the AVR scope with NTS (Non-Technical Survey) activities (subject to accreditation approval) and Victim Assistance.
• Basic needs: to respond to the most acute needs for displaced households hosted by the local population or living in collective settings, HI is providing cash-based transfers, including MPCA (Multi-Purpose Cash Assistance) and a disability top-up.
• Humanitarian-to-humanitarian logistics (ATLAS Logistique): To facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance as close as possible to the most affected populations, HI proposes mutualized storage and transportation services to other humanitarian actors – with a specific focus on “last-mile transportation”.

HI Ukraine Program:

Volume: 16M€/year – 300 + staff

Donors: BHA, CDCS, GFFO, ADH, SDC, BUZA, WHO

Partners: Relevant Ministries, local organizations, hospitals, local authorities, etc.

Ukraine’s Program is a 2-years old program. One of the current goals is to stabilize the structure and operational strategy while increasing our capacity to implement activities in the country with a priority to the East and South East parts of Ukraine which are the most affected by the conflict.

YOUR MISSION:

Under the responsibility of the MHPSS Specialist, the MHPSS STO will contribute to the implementation of the mandate and the 10-year strategy of Humanity & Inclusion. He/she ensures optimal quality and impact of the projects implemented in the country, through a delegation system with appropriate control mechanisms. He/she shares with all HI managers the responsibility of a sound management and successful functioning of the global organization, through paradigm changes.

The MHPSS STO will be roving between Dnipro and the three bases of HI in Ukraine (Mykolaiv, Poltava and Kharkiv) with equal time spent in each base (up to 6 weeks) in order to fully capacitate the teams and ensure they can operate independently following the assignment., Visits to Kyiv is also possible.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Mission 1: Providing specialized expertise in the form of policy guidance and technical support to projects,

partners and/or programs in accordance with the technical frameworks and general standards of MHPSS

a. Provide appropriate technical guidance and support to project leaders, partners and/or specialists.

b. Ensures that project(s) activities are implemented in accordance with internal

quality and technical standards and suggests improvements as necessary.

c. Adapt the project’s technical documentation as required, in accordance with global technical standards.

d. Coordinate and collaborate with the project’s technical partners, as delegated by the specialist or project manager.

f. Contribute to the writing of new proposals for new opportunities within the MHPSS technical scope.

e. Represent the organization in external coordination meetings or with partners as necessary.

Mission 2: Providing project-based technical learning with a global impact

a. Ensure Global and Field Technical Specialists get the information they need and collaborate with technical

divisions as needed.

b. Coordinate with headquarters to ensure adequate capitalization to improve sectoral method globally and collect

scientific evidence; initiate or test new innovative solutions to address the main challenges of the sector.

c. Contribute to technical learning under the responsibility of the Specialist or Project Manager, based on best

practices.

d. Anticipate and prepare for nexus adjustments in your sector.

e. Contribute to the terms of reference for evaluations.

Mission 3: Ensuring the internal technical training of his/her sector or on cross-cutting themes

a. Carry out the necessary technical training in his/her field.

b. Contribute to the skills upgrading plan for MHPSS Technical Officers and field teams in its sector and may be a third-party assessor.

c. Contribute to the development of a local talent pool within his/her sector (conducts technical interviews of

candidates and makes recommendations, identifies training and coaching needs).

d. Assist in coordinating technical professional development and facilitating a community of practice, in collaboration

with the technical division.

e. Identify capacity gaps in local MHPSS Technical Officers and provide capacity building accordingly to enable them to autonomously support their teams with daily challenges. response from HI.

CARACTERISTICS OF THE POSITION:

The security situation in Ukraine remains relatively stable, although air alert is frequently active. However, markets, restaurants and cafes are open, and life continues as normal. There is a strict curfew, the hours depend on the region. Most attacks by RF target energy structures, mainly power grids and power plants, resulting in planned or unplanned disruptions of electricity, water, heating and occasionally internet across the country.

HI has 3 hubs, one in the East (based in Dnipro with a sub base in Poltava), one in the North East (based in Kharkiv), one in the South (based in Mykolaiv) and the coordination office is in Kyiv. HI staff is accommodated in guesthouses or in hotels (during business trips), usually near HI offices, restaurants, cafes, shopping centers within walking distance and near a shelter (the shelter is either in the building or easy to reach).

Movements between sites can be made by car (Hi drivers) or by train, depending of the region and time.

YOUR PROFILE:

Knowledge:

-Thorough theoretical and operational knowledge of MHPSS

Practice:

-Minimum of three years of experience in providing technical support and strategic guidance in MHPSS

-Experience in capacity building and mentoring experience for MHPSS projects

-Experience in conducting specialised trainings at short notice, and ability to condense information to the essentials while maintaining quality.

Interpersonal:

-Empathy and patience

-Strong internal and external communication and coordination skills

-Cultural sensitivity, power and conflict awareness.

CONDITIONS:

At HI, the conditions offered are up to your commitment and adapted to the context of your mission. https://hi.org/en/join-the-team

• 5 months International contract starting ASAP
• The international contract provides social cover adapted to your situation:
  • Unemployment insurance benefits for EU nationals
  • Pension scheme adapted to the situation of our employees: If you already have a personal pension scheme HI will contribute at the same level of your personal monthly contribution with a maximum of 272.53€/month ; If you do not have a personal pension scheme, we will open a private pension account with your contribution of 272.53€/month and a contribution of HI of the same amount
  • Medical coverage with 50% of employee contribution
  • Repatriation insurance paid by HI
• Salary from 2 448€ gross/month upon experience
• Perdiem: 521,05€ net/month – paid in the field
• Hardship: 500€ net/month paid with your salary
• Paid leaves: 25 days per year
• R&R: 5 days every 8 weeks
• Unaccompanied
• Housing: Shared taken in charge by HI