Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS), Delegate- COVID 19 Re-advertised at International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)

Duty station status: Family Duty Station

Accompanied status: Non-Accompanied

Duration:06 months

Category of Staff: Delegate

Grade: C1

Vacancy No:IFRC04080

Job Purpose

Reporting to the IFRC Africa Region Head of Health and Care Unit, The Mental Health and Psychosocial support (MHPSS) delegate supporting the Covid-19 response at the Africa Regional Office (ARO) is to support the inclusion and quality of MHPSS programming in African NSs response. The MHPSS Delegate is to develop the ARO work plan for future MHPSS and plan for the recovery phases. The MHPSS delegate will provide inputs for continuing assessments, programme and activities development, implementation and coordination as needed. The delegate will act as the technical advisor in matters of mental health and psychosocial support (PSS), train, supervise, and monitor implementation of activities and interventions and ensure links to relevant IFRC structures in coordination with the technical advisor at the IFRC PS Centre. The MHPSS delegate must have RCRC experience and have knowledge of mental health and psychosocial support in emergencies.

The MHPSS will provide guidance and advice on MHPSS for IFRC ARO and African NSs ensuring that activities are timely, relevant and delivered with quality (in response and recovery phases of Covid19); plan and collaborate with Movement and external partners for appropriate MHPSS response; and Support the assessment and identification of MHPSS needs of those affected by Covid19 in Africa

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Assessment, planning and programme development

• Provide Quality Assurance of assessment and program tools for MHPSS ensuring a mixed variety of methodologies
• Provide remote training for assessment teams to carry out assessments and analyse findings in order to develop National Society Emergency Plan of Action (EPOA)
• Support the adaptation of the ARO EPOA (and appeal) ensuring integration of MHPSS
• Support mapping of referral services and pathways, and adaptation of relevant referral tools
• Support the development of MHPSS PMER tools for ARO and NSs in Africa
• Assist planning on appropriate, timely, relevant and quality MHPSS

Capacity building and volunteer management 

• Support NSs in recruiting, screening, training, mentoring or supervising volunteers
• Facilitate (remote) capacity building for NSs on MHPSS relevant approaches and interventions adapted for Covid19 response.
• Support NSs MHPSS focal point(s) in adapting MHPSS activities to Covid19 response

Programmatic area

• Adapt/develop a regional monitoring and evaluation system aligned with and based on IFRC and PS Centre standards
• Provide input to programmes, interventions and strategies and appeals based on assessment findings that build on global minimum standards and identified best practices
• Develop ARO MHPSS strategy
• Support the development of country specific MHPSS strategies taking age, gender and diversity into consideration
• Support the adaptation/development, of MHPSS materials/tools relevant for COVID19
• Support the development of structures and mechanisms for staff and volunteers support

Coordination and communication

• Coordinate with relevant MHPSS actors/stakeholders at regional level, Movement partners and other agencies for common interventions such as developing guidelines
• Ensure that IFRC actions are in support of Host National Society and are part of a coordinated response with partner agencies
• Model accountability and transparency to and among partners, donors and persons affected by Covid19
• Advocate for the importance of integrating MHPSS and PGI in a multi-sectorial setting
• Provide regular and timely reports
• Closely coordinate with IFRC PS Centre Technical Advisor for Africa and other relevant IFRC colleagues
• Be available for interviews, identify newsworthy stories and provide input to IFRC, National Societies and Host National Society’s communication departments, international and local media etc.

Education

• Basic Delegates Training Course or equivalent knowledge
• University degree or equivalent in Social Science, Psychology, social work
• Extensive knowledge of health and disaster management objectives, mandate and program orientation of the Federation

Experience

• 5 years Experience of working for the Red Cross/Red Crescent or international Humanitarian agency
• Familiarity with current international standards and guidelines. Previous experience working in the region.
• 3 Years minimum experience working in MHPSS
• Ability to represent the Federation at senior level with potential and existing donors, Government officials and members of the Diplomatic Community.
• Ability to engage effectively with NS staff, volunteers and beneficiaries, being results focused and accountable, being a team builder and team player, a good communicator at all levels, having professional mastery over their technical area, having leadership qualities and encouraging others to take the lead when appropriate, having managerial effectiveness.
• Relevant experience of managing, coaching, and supporting staff
• Experience of project planning & budgeting, supervision and management to include monitoring and evaluation
• Experience in working in both emergency and developmental contexts and engaging effectively with beneficiaries especially women and children and other vulnerable groups
• Experience of producing narrative & financial reports

Knowledge, skills and languages

• Strong skills in general administration, oral and written communication
• Self-supporting in computers (Windows, spreadsheets, word-processing)

• Ability to represent the Federation at senior level with potential and existing donors, Government officials and members of the Diplomatic Community.

• Ability to engage effectively with NS staff, volunteers and beneficiaries, being results focused and accountable, being a team builder and team player, a good communicator at all levels, having professional mastery over their technical area, having leadership qualities and encouraging others to take the lead when appropriate, having managerial effectiveness.
• Skills in training and developing staff
• Fluently spoken and written English

• Good command of another IFRC official language (French, Spanish or Arabic)French strongly preferred

Competencies and values

• Teamwork, commitment to the RC/RC movement, National Society relationship skills, integrity and personal conduct, sensitivity to diversity, flexibility and adaptability, initiative and direction, interpersonal skills, results
• Management of strategy, coordination, leadership, planning, management of budget and resources, supervision and control,
• Reporting, communication, networking,
• Team management