MHPSS Officer

Contract Duration: 6 months, with the possibility of extension

Duty Station: Gaza Strip /Palestine 

Starting Date: May/2025

This is a full-time position and working hours are from Sunday to Thursday, 08:00 – 16:00.

Given the current emergency in Gaza, flexibility on the part of all PUI staff in this is regard will be appreciated and required.

Première Urgence Internationale is a French non-profit, non-political, non-religious non-governmental international organization (NGO); which has been operational in the Occupied Palestinian Territory since 2002. 

PUI is operating in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem and Gaza Strip. The organization is working in different fields such as shelter, Food security and livelihoods, Agriculture, Heritage, Economic recovery and Cultural Heritage.

PUI’s humanitarian and development aid strategy focuses on providing support to populations affected by the coercive environment and subsequent violations of international humanitarian/human rights law in both the West Bank (WB) and the Gaza Strip (GS). It combines several sectors of intervention to prevent the loss of livelihoods and displacement of populations as a consequence of protection threats, addresses the lack of services (Health, Education, WASH), and the lack of access to agricultural lands or job opportunities.

Overall Objective

Under the direct responsibility and technical supervision of the MHPSS Specialist, the MHPSS Officer is responsible for delivering MHPSS services at Al Hekker PHCC and PUI’s medical point, as needed, according to PUI’s MHPSS strategy, standards, and procedures. He/she will support the assessment, design, implementation, and monitoring of all components of a multi-faceted psychosocial support intervention aimed at serving communities most vulnerable affected by the occupation. He/she will support activities at the Mother and Baby Corner at Al Hekker, provide individual and group counselling sessions, conduct awareness raising sessions at the health facilities and build the capacity of PUI and MoH health team.

Tasks and Responsibilities

1. IMPLEMENT MENTAL HEALTH AND PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT ACTIVITIES AT THE PHCC AND MEDICAL POINT

• Participate in conducting MHPSS assessments using tools such as focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and community mapping exercises considering AGD criteria to identify the community’s mental health and psychosocial needs and capacities.
• Provide mental health and psychosocial support services to different groups of people belonging to the communities identified as most vulnerable, including but not limited to community-level activities, Psychological First Aid (PFA), regular and structured group sessions, training sessions, and other activities based on identified needs and capacities.
• Provide individual and group counselling, and follow-up to the affected population experiencing mental health signs and reactions associated with depression, anxiety, trauma, and grief.
• Conduct individual assessments to determine the mental health needs of the individuals and develop tailored intervention plans in collaboration with the health team.
• Provide training sessions in PFA and safe identification and referral, to the medical staff in the PHCC and medical point, community focal points and volunteers, and other team members.
• Identify and refer people with moderate and severe mental conditions, in coordination with the health team and following the referral system.
• Develop Mental Health awareness messages/campaigns related to mental health and psychosocial support to be disseminated to communities. Coordinate with other members of the teams the most effective ways to convey those messages.
• Conduct awareness raising sessions at the PHCC, particularly in the Mother and Baby Corner, and in the medical point.
• Support the Mother and Baby Corner within the PHCC, provide individual and group counselling sessions and develop play, stimulation, and psychomotor activities. In collaboration with MHPSS Specialist, ensure timely procurement of materials.
• Provide safe and timely inter-sectoral referrals, including referrals to specialized MHPSS actors, and to protection or other sectors, according to reported needs and following the Multi-sectoral Referral System.
• Collaborate with the MHPSS Specialist in the design of MHPSS-related supporting tools and Standardized Operating Procedures (SOP), contributing to the smooth implementation of the activities in the field.
• Provide support to other organizations or partners according to the identified needs, in collaboration with the clusters and MHPSS Technical Working Group and with support from the MHPSS Supervisor.
• Contribute to the adaptation of tools to monitor the incorporation of psychosocial principles, including the overall goal of the common monitoring and evaluation framework for MHPSS in emergencies.
• Support ensuring the complementarity and comprehensive nature of all inter-sectorial interventions that include MHPSS activities or goals.
• Support and contribute to the implementation of the MHPSS Strategy for the PUI oPt mission.

2. PROMOTE INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL LIAISONS

• Promote and partake in timely, internal coordination and collaboration with different PUI teams
• Participate in timely, external coordination and collaboration with PUI partners and other relevant agencies according to the needs and instructions of the MHPSS Supervisor.
• Establish regular communication and strengthen collaboration in the field with potential stakeholders, partners, key leaders, and CBOs by conducting regular visits to the field within the most vulnerable communities.
• Promote collaboration within the mission to more effectively address crosscutting issues.
• Contribute to regular updates of a functioning inter-sectoral service mapping with a focus on MHPSS and protection concerns.
• Be available for external or internal coordination, meetings, ad hoc or regular, according to needs.

3. CAPACITY BUILDING AND CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT

• Participate in the design and implementation of capacity-building initiatives including training, mentorships, etc. for PUI staff and other partners, based on the needs and requests of the MHPSS Specialist.
• Demonstrate a proactive attitude towards continuous improvement by actively seeking opportunities to enhance technical and professional competencies.
• Engage and actively participate in structured self-care and skill-strengthening practices, such as individual or group supervision sessions, case studies, debriefings, and other collaborative support sessions.
• Participate in and actively contribute to regular MHPSS meetings, sharing insights, suggestions, and updates to foster collaboration and enhance program effectiveness.
• Recognize instances where supervision or debriefing are necessary and communicate these needs to the MHPSS Specialist aiming to improve the quality of MHPSS services and promote self-care and support practices.
• Contribute to maintaining a healthy work environment by fostering open and assertive communication, promoting teamwork, and actively supporting the well-being of other PUI members.
• Contribute to the identification of improvement areas in terms of adopting the “psychosocial approach” within the PUI oPt mission and actively propose recommendations aiming at covering those gaps.

4. MONITORING, EVALUATION AND REPORTING

• Review, draft, or adapt tools to timely monitor delivered activities, including but not limited to session outcome reports, pre and post-tests, referral tracker, etc, following MHPSS Specialist instructions and requests.
• Ensure timely, accurate, and comprehensive documentation of the MHPSS activities in alignment with the PUI data collection tools and standards.
• Provide constructive feedback, and recommendations and share best practices derived from the implementation of the MHPSS activities.
• Ensure timely and comprehensive updates on the progress of the activities to the MHPSS Specialist, including but not limited to arrangements and implementations.
• Adhere to PUI MEAL standards and requirements and support in facilitating the MEAL process with communities, groups and individuals participating in the MHPSS activities.
• Ensure utmost respect to confidentiality and take appropriate measures to safeguard it throughout work-related activities.
• Report continuously to the MHPSS Specialist on the achievement of individual objectives, implementation of the activities, and needs or capacities identified in the field.
• Ensure timely and comprehensive internal or external reporting when requested by the MHPSS Specialist, MHPSS Coordinator, or Health Project Manager.
• Recognize and document the psychosocial needs arising from humanitarian crisis, emphasizing the impact of the occupation on the population in relevant reports or when requested by the MHPSS Supervisor.

5. COMPLIANCE WITH SAFETY AND PUI PROCEDURES

• Adhere to safety rules, security instructions and PUI protocols.
• Ensure that the implementation of the MHPSS activities does not place beneficiaries, PUI staff or any other persons at risk of harm.
• Report on the security situation to MHPSS Specialist, Health Project Manager, Field Coordinator or Security Officer.
• Upon request from MHPSS Specialist, contributes to PUI’s security analysis by his/her input.
• Ensure that protection principles are met at all times.

Team Management:

• Direct manager: MHPSS Specialist

Note:

The candidate must have permanent or temporary residence in southern Gaza Strip, close to PUIs Emergency Guest House in Deir Al-Balah & KhanYounis-Almawasi.

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Required Knowledge and Skills

EDUCATION: 

• Bachelor’s degree in psychology
• Postgraduate University degree in Clinical Psychology, Counselling Psychology, Educational Psychology, Counselling, Social Work or other appropriate mental health care profession/related subject.
• Training in counselling, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, PM+, trauma-informed care, or related topics

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: (Humanitarian, International)

• Minimum 1 year of working experience in NGOs, iNGO or CBOs
• Minimum 3 years of experience in direct service provision in the field of MHPSS, preferably working in providing group support activities, or focused non-specialized support to vulnerable populations
• At least 3 years of experience with relevant population or paid experience in a clinical setting
• Clinical experience with victims of conflicts, survivors of S/GBV and survivors of torture, refugee / displaced populations

LANGUAGES

• Arabic
• English

Required:  Fluency in English and Arabic (both Written and Verbal).

Required Personal Characteristics (fitting into the team, suitability for the job and assignment)

• Knowledge of PFA and IASC guidelines for MHPSS in emergencies
• Demonstrated capacity in conducting field-level assessments, including safety audits and developing assessment tools
• Excellent clinical and counselling skills
• Intercultural competence and communication skills
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills
• Excellent report writing and communication skills
• Ability to communicate effectively with a variety of people
• Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills
• Understanding of key protection and MHPSS mainstreaming principles and their practical applications in humanitarian work
• Knowledge of Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) responsibilities within humanitarian response
• Knowledge of the importance of confidentiality and data protection-relevant protocols
• Ability to work in challenging conditions and find suitable techniques to mitigate any probable challenges
• Ability to take initiative and be proactive in tackling changes and seeking opportunities
• Good knowledge of MS Office software - Including Word, Outlook, and Excel
• Ability to work on own initiative and collaboratively as part of a diverse team and manage a varied workload
• Excellent communication skills, diplomacy, and a solution-oriented attitude
• Good ability to manage deadlines in emergency response contexts
• Adherence to supervisor's guidance and communication channels
• Curiosity and interest in the organization's activities
• Honesty, integrity, and transparency
• Sense of initiative and anticipation
• Good teamwork skills
• Adaptability, flexibility
• Cultural sensitivity
• Analytical skills
• Initiative and Punctuality
• Autonomy
• Rigor

PUI provides a work environment that reflects the values of integrity, diversity and gender equality. Therefore, we strongly encourage applications from women and underrepresented cultural or social groups, particularly people with disabilities and people from communities highly affected by occupation-related violence (including settler violence).

All PUI workers adhere to the values and principles outlined in the PUI Code of Conduct and policies, including the Protection from Exploitation and Abuse Policy and the Child Protection Policy.

If you believe you are the candidate we are looking for, please submit a cover letter and a detailed resume before Monday April 28, 2024, 12:00 pm by sending an e-mail [email protected] and [email protected]. Please indicate the Position Title "MHPSS Officer" in the E-mail subject line.

Incomplete applications will not be considered. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.