Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Programme Officer

Job Summary

Mental Health and Psycho-social Support Officer (MHPSS Officer) MHPSS Officer will

be responsible and accountable for developing, coordinating and implementing YSYD’s

strategy, policy and programming in the field of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support

(MHPSS) in Humanitarian Emergencies.

S/he will support the provision, monitoring and evaluation of mental health and

psychosocial support services to individuals under Temporary Protection and International

Protection in Turkey in a dignified manner, adhering to international MHPSS guidelines,

Standard Operating Procedures, IASC guidelines and minimum standards.

The position requires a strong emphasis on capacity building, mentoring and coordinating

duties of MHPSS staff, so the successful candidate must have experience in training,

supervision, coordination, leadership and creating service mapping. The selected

candidate will ensure that the activities of the MHPSS team are carried out effectively and

on time. It will work in close coordination with units such as protection, monitoring,

evaluation, accountability and learning. In addition, s/he supervises the implementation,

monitoring and evaluation of MHPSS components and contributes to their development.

Scope of Work and Basic Job Duties

Mental Health Psychosocial Support Officer will be responsible for the following duties and responsibilities;

Support the implementation of MHPSS and Case Management programming focusing on technical development and quality assurance through close technical supervision and monitoring of field personnel, in collaboration with the Protection Officer, and Field Officers under the supervision of the Project Manager,

Substantively contribute to the development and implementation of YSYD’s global guidance notes, indicators, guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in relation to dedicated mental health and psychosocial support and intercultural communication policies, programs, activities and procedures in emergency preparedness and response,

Prepare and supervise proposal development and the preparation of narrative and financial reports,

Act as secondary reviewer or endorser for MHPSS dedicated programs and project components under the Humanitarian Preparedness and response coding,

Technically supporting projects and partnerships related to strengthening the MHPSS based Protection system and Case Management, •

MHPSS staff of mentor partners - mostly PSWs, and liaise closely with National Psychiatrists to ensure quality of program,

Develop and maintain, in collaboration with relevant organizational units, a sound MEAL framework, assessing, monitoring, synthesizing, interpreting and evaluating relevant YSYD MHPSS in emergency data. This includes collaboration and coordination with MEAL team,

• Advocate for and promote the inclusion of MHPSS and migration in emergency related subjects in relevant conferences, academic courses and interagency events, either directly or by instructing other colleagues,

Lead and/or participate in relevant thematic expert groups,

• Prepare technical and programmatic briefings, reports and presentations on various topics related to mental health, psychosocial and intercultural communication needs of displaced and crisis affected populations,

Develop and implement an MHPSS in emergency capacity building plan, based on a capacity-needs assessment,

• Guide and advise on the inclusion of mental health and psychosocial components in YSYD’s trainings for humanitarian aid, disaster risk reduction, emergency response and early recovery,

Supporting PSWs to deliver MHPSS case management to vulnerable individuals and families, in coordination with Psychiatrists and MHPSS staff, and to complete appropriate case documentation, •

Supporting PSWs to identify appropriate topics and conduct group sessions and community-based activities in coordination with the Protection Officer,

Support the development of service mapping with internal and external service providers to strengthen links to services available for MHPSS beneficiaries and persons affected from GBV , including regularly updating service mapping, •

Developing appropriate IEC materials, raising awareness about services and supporting mental health promotion activities,

To monitor MHPSS program activities to provide continuous technical support and mentorship to MHPSS teams and to ensure quality standards within the scope of MHPSS case management, •

To carry out MHPSS capacity assessments in accordance with the guidelines, •

Support the development of MHPSS programming, including related program materials and tools,

Monitor MHPSS activities to identify potential barriers to programmatic success and implement corrective actions as needed and in coordination with the MEAL and Project Managers, •

To prepare and implement the Training of Trainers (ToT) program on PFA, awareness raising, psycho-education and other related subjects, and to support national trainers for trainings, •

Enabling partners to encourage participation from beneficiaries in program development, implementation and evaluation and feedback mechanisms,

Monitoring and evaluating the outputs of the programs to meet the objectives and preparing the plans for the achievement of the objectives; doing daily reporting on important issues that are cross cut.

Required Qualifications/Skills

Having a bachelor's degree in psychology or psychological counseling, master's degree is an asset. •

Having knowledge of human rights, standards in humanitarian aid, mental health and psychosocial support guidelines, international development, public health or other relevant field,

At least 3 years of professional experience in the field of humanitarian aid and experience in the field of MHPSS including refugee emergencies and conflict environments, •

Experience in management and reporting (required), •

Experience in the design and/or implementation of MHPSS interventions for post-crisis affected communities,

• Proven ability to supervise, train and direct personnel and manage operations in complex post-conflict contexts,

Experience in connecting and forming effective partnerships with other national/international organizations such as donors, government officials and/or research institutions and local and international NGOs,

• Experience in capacity building of local organizations and/or government partners, • Have advanced knowledge and experience in providing MHPSS in community-based programmes,

• Having experience of working in a multicultural environment,

• Knowing and using the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC), MHPSS and GBV guidelines and best practices as part of previous work experience,

• Having strong skills in program development, proposal and report writing,

• Demonstrable technical expertise in assessing, designing and delivering MHPSS needs

Training and mentoring experience including joint training and capacity building,

• Experience in team building and engaging with communities; Familiarity with the needs-based participatory approach,

• Ability to work in a team or independently, be suitable for flexible working hours and cope with stressful workloads,

• English language proficiency is required and knowledge of Arabic is an advantage. Language Skills: Having fluent English and Turkish language skills. Arabic language knowledge is an advantage.

Computer Skills: Microsoft Office, Kobo, Google tools, SPSS