Job Description
Background
The MHPSS Technical Coordinator will be responsible for overseeing all MHPSS programming in Iraq, with an emphasis on technical support and capacity-building of staff. MHPSS technical Coordinator will be responsible for implementing innovative approaches, international standards, IMC minimum standards, and best practices in IMC Iraq day to day activities through streamlining MHPSS approach in Iraq throughout program locations in Iraq. MHPSS Technical Coordinator will coordinate and actively participate in different coordination forums related to MHPSS/Protection at National Level, Governorate Level, as well as relevant UN cluster and sub-clusters and National and International NGOs. The MHPSS Technical Coordinator will be working closely with the Deputy Country director program and National MHPSS Program Coordinator. The MHPSS Specialist will perform all tasks related to support field and office teams to ensure the quality, relevance and technical innovation of IMC MHPSS interventions in Iraq.
Job Purpose
The MHPSS Technical Coordinator will be responsible for overseeing all MHPSS programming in Iraq, with an emphasis on technical support and capacity-building of staff. MHPSS technical Coordinator will be responsible for implementing innovative approaches, international standards, IMC minimum standards, and best practices in IMC Iraq day to day activities through streamlining MHPSS approach in Iraq throughout program locations in Iraq. MHPSS Technical Coordinator will coordinate and actively participate in different coordination forums related to MHPSS/Protection at National Level, Governorate Level, as well as relevant UN cluster and sub-clusters and National and International NGOs. The MHPSS Technical Coordinator will be working closely with the Deputy Country director program and National MHPSS Program Coordinator. The MHPSS Specialist will perform all tasks related to support field and office teams to ensure the quality, relevance and technical innovation of IMC MHPSS interventions in Iraq.
Main Responsibilities
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function with or without reasonable accommodation. The tasks listed are representative of the nature and level of work assigned and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Technical support
- Ensure technical quality of programming through:
- Adhering to IMCMHPSS minimum standards and best practices
- Develop or revise MHPSS training materials, tools, client documentation forms, and quality monitoring and evaluation methodology. Ensure the technical package of documentations and methodologies are implementing across the mission
- Support MHPSS teams in different location by building their technical capacity through different intervention/events (meetings, trainings, technical discussion, etc)
- Ensure technical capacity of the Case Managers are according to standards and “do no harm” principle is understood and adhered by staff
- Ensure day-to-day technical support for MHPSS Officers for implementation and framework of activities.
- Provide guidance and technical support on developing specific activities and/or interventions for affected-displaced populations, refugees, returnees and host communities.
- Facilitate and/or provide input to assessments, baselines studies and evaluations of community-based psychosocial activities.
- Work with the other technical staff to develop a plan for support and supervision of staff;
- Ensure that regular clinical supervision for mental health case management teams are provided
- Analyze issues and challenges encountered in the field and make recommendations
- Provide or recommend training for IMC MHPSS staff and other staff from other departments within IMC as well as other organizations
- Lead on the proposal development covering all the technical aspects of the proposal development process. Ensure that all input gathered from the field is being articulated into the proposal.
- Assist in developing quality control (appropriate methodologies, data collection techniques for assessments, indicators, and evaluations) of mental health specialized services interventions and community-based psychosocial activities.
- Take the technical lead on any IMC-MH assessment/research prospects or publication that may be developed.
- Develop the strategy and mechanisms for the integration of mental health and psychosocial support across IMC inter-sectoral programming and ensure close coordination between the MHPSS department and other departments/sectors.
- Provide technical expertise for country strategy, and evaluate proposed interventions against relevance, feasibility and benefits for target population.
Program Management support
- Oversee the programmatic interventions/activities are aligned with required technical standards through coordination with National Program Coordinators and MHPSS teams across Iraq mission
- Support MHPSS Program Managers (PM) and Senior/Program Officers (PO) to ensure that respective MHPSS field staffs are appropriately oriented on project goals, objectives, targets, timelines, activities/services, reporting demands.
- Support National MHPSS Program Coordinator on all technical aspects requires in programing, and program management
- Follow up regularly with MHPSS Team (included field staff) on technical qualities are being performed, ensuring proper documentation and reporting.
- Provide recommendations, suggest adjustments or development of the project with a specific attention to community’s resilience mechanisms.
- Conduct bi-weekly meeting with MHPSS PM to ensure compliance with proposals, activities, and indicators according to the country strategy.
- Lead regular program technical meetings.
- Conduct weekly meeting with the National MHPSS Program Coordinator to ensure compliance with the country strategy.
- Analyze issues and challenges encountered in programing and make appropriate recommendations
- Assist national partners in the development of the detailed mental health and psychosocial needs implementation plan in accordance with IMC and donor requirements if applicable
Monitoring and reporting
- Conduct regular field visits to monitor and support MHPSS activities and interventions provided, and
- In coordination with MEAL manager, ensure that all reporting templates are up to the specific needs of the program and donor’s requirements.
- Train Managers and Officers on the use of reporting templates.
- Perform data analyses identifying trends/patterns, gaps, etc and provide relevant recommendations to the program and revise activities/approaches accordingly and when necessary
- Provide technical review of the reports
Coordination and communication
- Represent International Medical Corps at relevant coordination meetings through:
- Participation in National MHPSS working group meetings and the other relevant coordination meetings including UN health cluster, protection cluster, GBV Sub-Cluster, etc.
- Coordination with ministries on updating the work-plans and strategies as per the National strategy when applicable.
- Provide regular input and participate in the development of reference materials on the sector.
- Advocate on all mental health and PSS related issues and/or concerns
Code of Conduct
It is our shared responsibility and obligation to prevent matters involving Sexual Exploitation & Abuse, Trafficking in Persons, Child Safeguarding and any suggested violation to our Code of Conduct, which may involve Conflicts of Interest, Fraud, Corruption or Harassment. If you see, hear or are made aware of any suggested activities then you have an obligation to report.
Qualifications
- Professional degree in mental health or equivalent in social science – psychology, clinical social work or sociology, with knowledge of public health, protection, human rights, international development, or other relevant field a plus.
Experience
- Minimum 5 years of professional experience in the related field (provision of MHPSS services of different levels and MHPSS community-based approaches).
- Proven experience in providing technical support to field teams implementing experience in NGO in emergency context.
- Training experience required
- Strong proven knowledge and experience in providing technical support to MHPSS programs.
- Knowledgeable in and experienced using the IASC MHPSS guidelines and best practices and familiarity of the integration of mental health into primary health care settings.
- Experience participating in or co-chairing MHPSS coordination groups.
- Strong experience in management in a similar context on international level.
- Strong organizational and supervisory skills.
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work within different cultural environments.
- Ability to work within a team structure or in isolation, flexible, and can cope with stressful workloads and working with limited resources.
- Ability to travel on short notice to project sites.
- Experience training, mentoring and coaching staff on new program approaches and core competencies
- Previous experience of program management required
Competency
- Demonstrates the ability to work cooperatively and effectively with other employees. Maintains good work relationships both internally and externally and has the ability to work productively as a team.
- Demonstrates the ability to make good decisions about what should be done given a specific situation. Thinks carefully before taking action and behaves appropriately for the circumstances.
- Demonstrates the ability to use creativity, reasoning, past experience, information and available resources to resolve issues.
- Takes responsibility for actions, decisions, and outcomes. Can confidently take the lead role on a team, if and when necessary.
- Strong ability to organize work, meet deadlines, prioritize work under pressure
Equal Opportunities
International Medical Corps is proud to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, age, disability or status as a veteran.
About the Organization
International Medical Corps is a global, humanitarian, nonprofit organization dedicated to saving lives and relieving suffering through health care training and relief and development programs. Established in 1984 by volunteer doctors and nurses, International Medical Corps is a private, voluntary, nonpolitical, nonsectarian organization. Its mission is to improve the quality of life through health interventions and related activities that build local capacity in underserved communities worldwide. By offering training and health care to local populations and medical assistance to people at highest risk, and with the flexibility to respond rapidly to emergency situations, International Medical Corps rehabilitates devastated health care systems and helps bring them back to self-reliance.
