MHPSS Referent

MÉDICOS DEL MUNDO – SPAIN 
Needs to fill the position of:

MHPSS Referent, GAZA

Type:                        Full Time Contract

Duration of the contract:  Six months, with a possibility of extension based on performance and fund availability.

Job Location:    GAZA Strip – South and Middle Area

Deadline:           02nd January 2025

Reports to:       Project Manager/MHPSS Coordinator

Summary:

Médicos del Mundo-Spain (MdM-S), is an international humanitarian organization, working to make effective the Universal Right to Health. MdM is a non-profitable, non-governmental, non-political and non-confessional organization operating under the principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence.

MdM-S has been working in the oPt since 2006. Its work has been oriented to Mental Health and Psychosocial support (MHPSS), and Primary Healthcare. In the Gaza Strip, MdM-S strategy aims the improvement of mental health and wellbeing of children and adolescents. This intervention is focused on the strengthening of governmental children and adolescent’s mental health services, and community organizations working with children and adolescents through a capacity building approach. This includes training activities and materials and equipment’s provision.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE:

Under the supervision and in close collaboration with the MHPSS Coordinator and Projects/Field Manager, the primary objective of the MHPSS Referent is to oversee the technical aspects of MHPSS activities implemented by the MDM-S team or partners. This involves ensuring high-quality implementation in line with MDM-S’s technical guidelines and standards. The role includes providing technical support, supervision, and capacity-building to the field team and partners, as well as ensuring the effective delivery of MHPSS services to the target population. Additionally, this position requires reinforcing the implementation of MHPSS activities through the direct provision of comprehensive MHPSS services. With the support of the MHPSS Coordinator, will ensure that all services are tailored to meet the needs of children, adolescents, and adults and that they adhere to MDM-S's technical guidelines, framework, and cross-cutting approaches. The objective is to maintain the highest standards of care and support, promoting mental health and psychosocial well-being within the target communities and among stakeholders.

I.  FUNCTIONS

1. Technical Oversight

• Ensure that all MHPSS activities are implemented in accordance with MDM-S’s technical guidelines, frameworks, and protocols.
• Provide technical supervision and support to psychologists and social workers to ensure the quality of MHPSS service delivery.
• Conduct regular field visits to monitor the implementation of MHPSS activities, provide on-site guidance, and address any technical issues.
• Develop and update Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and technical guidelines in collaboration with the MHPSS Coordinator.
• Ensure that data collection and reporting are carried out accurately and timely, utilizing MDM-S’s data entry tools.
• Ensure that the field team is implementing all the corresponding MEAL tools, including the Community-Based Feedback and Complaint Mechanism (CBFCM), following MDM-S’s technical guidelines and tools.

2. Supervision and Capacity Building

• Supervise and support the field team (psychologists, social workers) in their daily tasks, ensuring they adhere to professional and ethical standards.
• Conduct regular MDM-S and/or partner team meetings to review progress, address challenges, and provide technical guidance.
• Follow the MHPSS supervision framework developed for the Palestine Mission during the supervision process.
• Identify training needs and develop capacity-building plans for the field or partners team.
• Organize and facilitate training sessions on MHPSS topics to enhance the skills and knowledge of the field or partner team.
• Provide ongoing technical support and mentoring to the field team and/or partners.
• Responsible for the technical induction and training of new staff, utilizing the apprentice model among other strategies.

3. Program Implementation

• With the Field Manager/Project Manager and MHPSS Coordinator’s support, lead at a field level, the implementation of MHPSS and Protection needs assessments and ensure accurate data collection through key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and other methods.
• Provide support in the design and implementation of programs related to MHPSS and Protection.
• Assist in the analysis of both quantitative and qualitative data collected during program activities.
• Contribute to the preparation of monthly situation reports and mid-term donor reports, ensuring they are comprehensive and accurate.
• Support Project and Field manager in the planning and execution of MHPSS activities.
• Ensure effective referral pathways for individuals requiring specialized MHPSS and Protection services, coordinating with other service providers as necessary.
• Identify best practices and lessons learned from MHPSS activities and provide recommendations for future program improvements.

4. Direct MHPSS Service Provision

• With the MHPSS Coordination support conduct MHPSS and Protection training for local partners, stakeholders, and/or MDM-S staff following MDM-S technical guidance and protocols. This includes but is not limited to, training on Psychological First Aid (PFA), counseling, MHPSS case management, Mh-GAP, and WHO scalable psychological interventions such as Problem Management Plus (PM+), Early Adolescent Skills for Emotions (EASE), Self-Help Plus (SH+), among others.
• Design and implement MHPSS activities or strategies with the support of the MHPSS Coordinator.
• Provide immediate psychological first aid and crisis intervention in response to emergency incidents.
• Conduct awareness-raising activities and provide psychoeducation based on MDM-S protocols to enhance community understanding of mental health and psychosocial support.
• Facilitate group MHPSS activities for children, adolescents, and adults according to MDM-S technical guidelines and protocols.
• Implement WHO Manualized scalable psychological interventions such as the Problem Management Plus (PM+) program and other evidence-based group interventions.

5. Emergency Response

• Ensure readiness to respond to emergency situations in the Gaza Strip, coordinating with the Project and Field Manager, and MHPSS Coordinator to activate emergency protocols.
• Develop and implement emergency MHPSS response plans, including rapid needs assessments and coordination with local authorities, MDM Chapters, and partners.
• Support the field team in adapting MHPSS activities to address emerging needs during emergencies, ensuring continuity of care and support.

6. Coordination and Networking

• Participate in relevant platforms, networks, and clusters focused on MHPSS themes when requested, representing MDM-S and ensuring alignment with broader MHPSS efforts.
• Coordinate with staff from other MDM chapters, International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs), Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), and Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) to ensure collaboration and effective service delivery.

7. Advocacy and Reporting

• Support advocacy efforts by collecting and compiling information on MHPSS and Protection needs and service delivery.
• Contribute to the preparation of situation reports, donor reports, and other documentation as required.
• Ensure that all relevant technical and project documentation is accessible and up-to-date.

8. Additional tasks and responsibilities

• Perform additional duties as requested by the Field Manager, Project manager, MHPSS Coordinator, and General Coordinator.
• Attend MDM-S-S team meetings and provide qualitative input to discussions.
• Prepare, if necessary, contingency plans in collaboration with the MDM-S-S team

Jobs.ps, Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

Requirements

Academic / Professional background:

• Bachelor's degree in psychology.
• Master's degree in clinical psychology, Advanced Mental Health degree, or equivalent
• Proved experience in counselling and clinical-supportive supervision.
• Training in manualized psychological interventions is strongly recommended.
• A minimum of 5 years of progressive professional experience in the relevant field is required.
• Strong knowledge and comprehension of the MHPSS and protection principles in Humanitarian Settings.
• Previous working experience with local NGOs or INGO in a similar position, preferably in MHPSS projects and/or community intervention.
• Experience in developing and conducting needs/vulnerability assessments and previous participation in beneficiary selection processes, and case management.
• Experience implementing Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) programs.
• Experience in collaborating with staff from MoH, MoEHE, MoSD, and civil society organizations.
• Previous experience in community engagement and participatory approaches.
• Good knowledge of Protection issues
• Excellent Communication skills
• Previous experience providing training or facilitating staff capacity-building activities and supervision sessions.

Language requirements:

• Native Arabic speaker
• Fluent in speaking and writing English is mandatory.

Computer literacy:

• Microsoft Office package (especially Word, Excel and Outlook).

Compensation package:

Medicos del Mundo’s Salary charts will apply.

APPLICATION AND PROCEDURES

People interested in the position must send their CV with 2 references and Cover letter in English to [email protected] by 02 January, 2025

Please reference the job title as MHPSS Referent/GAZA/2025 in the subject line of your Email.

Deadline: We are accepting applications on a rolling basis and will hire the first candidate that meets our requirements. 

“Medicos del Mundo stands for equal opportunities for everyone. We establish positive action measures for those who, due to functional or social diversity and/or cultural exclusion, belong to groups that are underrepresented in the positions we offer. Therefore, no candidate with a valid profile will be rejected for functional diversity or for being culturally or socially excluded due to birth, ethnicity, sex, gender or any other personal, social, or cultural condition”.

Médicos del Mundo promotes internal careers.

Please note that MDM will contact only pre-selected candidates and by email, the position will be filled as soon as a suitable candidate is identified.

MdM Spain will contact only pre-selected candidates by email. Applications unanswered within 15 days after deadline must be considered dismissed.

We thank all candidates for their interest to MDM.