Psychosocial Technical Advisor

NGO PRESENTATION Handicap International is an independent and impartial international aid organisation working in situations of poverty and exclusion, conflict and disaster. Working alongside persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups, our action and testimony are focused on responding to their essential needs, improving their living conditions and promoting respect for their dignity and their fundamental rights. Handicap International is a not-for-profit organisation with no religious or political affiliation. It operates as a federation made up of a network of associations that provide it with human and financial resources, manage its projects and implement its actions and social mission. HI has been present in the Middle East since 1987 through its Development Department. HI started from early April 2012 a new project at the regional level aiming at the recognition and respect of the rights of PwD by the authorities and institutions, through the reinforcement of the Disabled People’s Organisations (DPO) and the disability movement at large. In Lebanon, in addition to the regional project, HI has been implemented a project aiming at improving the access to mental health rehabilitation services for the children with psychological distress living in the Palestinian camps. At last, in 2010, HI established the only humanitarian demining capacity in northern Lebanon (Batroun Region) Action Center (LMAC) in achieving its goal of making Lebanon mine impact free by 2020.  MISSION CONTEXT Following the yearlong crisis in the Syrian Arab Republic, that has caused the displacement of civilians in Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan, Handicap International is implementing projects in Lebanon and Jordan, aiming at mitigating the impact of the crisis on the Syrian refugees and the host communities. In Lebanon as well as in Jordan, Handicap International aims to improve the access to emergency rehabilitation cares for the Syrian refugees at hospital and community level and to improve the coverage of the specific needs of the most vulnerable people affected by the crisis at the community level. In Lebanon, the targeted areas are the Bekaa Valley and Tripoli, whereas in Jordan, the targeted area is the northern region closed to the boarder.  In Bekaa, Handicap International aims to improve the coverage of basics and specific needs of the most vulnerable people affected by the crisis at the community level, and by developing a tailored response to improve conditions of life during winter period. In Tripoli, Handicap International aims to provide direct support to syrian injured refugies at hospital and community level. Besides, HI aims to improve the coverage of specific needs for vulnerable persons in the North. GLOBAL OBJECTIVE OF THE POSITION To provide technical support for the implementation of the MHPSS strategy of intervention. To provide technical support to the Project Managers (DVFP, NFI, etc.). To supervise the quality of the clinical interviews, the elaboration of psychosocial support for identified vulnerable individuals and families and protection cases, adapted to the needs identified. To elaborate, propose and support the implementation of specific psychosocial group activities (adapted and appropriate to each one’s specific needs and capacities). Participate in the analysis and reporting of global issues in the vulnerable population; and participation to impact surveys with a focus on psychosocial and psychological issues. Produce regular reports on activities and documents to ensure the capitalization of the project. Representation: Participation to technical working groups as per requested by the operations coordinator RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS Under the direct supervision of the Operations Coordinator, you will be responsible: 1)      To provide technical support to the DVFP (Disability and Vulnerability Focal Point) Projects on: Recruitment of psychosocial/psychology-related technical staff (psychologists, psychosocial workers) Qualitative approach of activities carried out by the pluridisciplinary teams. Qualitative approach for the assessment of psychosocial issues carried out mainly by social workers. Supervision of the use of the assessment, follow-up and monitotring tools at field level. Identify training subjects, based on the needs identified in the field. Organize trainings (formal and on the job) and workshops for social workers and psychologists on psychosocial support, group activities, Mental Health and protection related subjects (e.g. child protection, SGBV). Participate to the preparation, organization and provision of training to external stakeholders on psychosocial issues and the inclusion of people with disabilities and other vulnerable people. 2)      To provide technical support for the implementation of the MHPSS strategy of intervention: Support to the mission in Lebanon on the implementation and adaptation of the MHPSS strategy in each are of intervention and in the framing of the appropriate methodology for the different activities. Identification of potential opportunities for the development/evolution of activities and exit strategy. Participation to needs assessments and appropriate response sizing. Participation to further assessments for future proposal and potential technical planning with other HI departments. Contribution to proposal writing Participation to external technical coordination with other actors when requested by the operations coordinator. 3)      To supervise the quality of the clinical interviews, the elaboration and provision of psychological support for identified vulnerable individuals and families and protection cases, adapted to the needs identified: Ensuring the quality of the clinical interviews and evaluations through close field supervision of psychologists. Regarding the needs identified, support the psychologists to elaborate the objectives and plan for psychological support (basic counselling). Support the psychologists by providing a frame for psychological support and counselling at individual and family level. Leading of weekly case management meeting in every area of intervention. 4)      To elaborate, propose and support the implementation of psychosocial group activities (adapted and appropriate to each one’s specific needs and capacities): Participation to the definition/adaptaton of the methodology of the psychosocial group activities for each area and target group within the frame of the overall strategy previously defined. Organization of trainings to HI staff in charge of the activities. Elaboration of the adequate monitoring tools for the activities. Supervision of  the group activities implemented by the psychologists and social workers at hospital or community level. In link with relevant partners, ensure the technical and organization aspects of the activities. Support the teams on the definition of the tools to evaluate the activities and monitor the impact related to the improvement of the quality of life of beneficiaries.    5)      Participate in the analysis and reporting of global issues in the vulnerable population; and participation to impact surveys with a focus on psychosocial and psychological issues: In formal and informal meetings with the team, participate to a qualitative analysis of the different mental health and psychosocial issues, at individual, familial and community level. Participate the reporting with the tools and the internal system all issues identified. Be part of a constructive holistic team work to develop a very qualitative analysis and response for people in a vulnerable and disabling situation. Support to project managers in the definition and implementaton of pre and post surveys related to psychosocial activities and impact analysis related to the improvement of the quality of life of beneficiaries. 6)      Produce regular reports on activities and documents to ensure the capitalization of the project: Facilitate regular reporting on your activities to the Operations Coordinator upon his/her solicitation (coordination meetings, workshops, etc.) and to the HQ Specific Needs Technical Advisor. Participate to the monthly situation report (SITREP) by providing relevant data and qualitative information related to your position. Provide a technical report on a monthly basis to the Program Coordinator and HQ SN Technical Advisor. Capitalization of monitoring & evaluation of impact. In close collaboration with the DVFP Project Managers, formalize all training/workshop documents. 7) Representation: As resquested by the DVFP Project Managers and Operations Coordinator, to represent Handicap International in the projects areas with any relevant stakeholders, local, national and international partners; local and provincial authorities in order to facilitate the implementation of projects activities. On the Project Managers’ and Operations Coordinator’s request, to ensure ad hoc additional representation with other stakeholders, such as, cluster meetings EDUCATION AND PROFESIONAL BACKGROUND MA Degree in Clinical or Social Psychology. At least 2 years experience in the humanitarian field, the focus on disability and vulnerability would be an asset. Experience in training/capacity building and coaching. Project Management Skills would be an asset. Reactivity, anticipation, adaptability and capacity to take initiatives to changing requirements Organisational skills, rigor Ability to synthesise Listening and diplomacy skills Good writing and communication skills inside the team and from widely-varied organizations and agencies Fluency in Arabic mandatory Fluency in English and French (oral and written) are a plus Computer Skills: Proficiency in current office software applications ETHIC AND PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE Always respect of beneficiaries’ confidentiality. Respect and promote HI’s Policies and report to your line manager any non respect of HI’s policies amongst the teams or partners. Address needs and requests in a professional way. Report any incident or act that causes any harm to a beneficiary or to others. PERSONAL QUALITIES Adaptation to specific working conditions Capacity to work in a team and autonomously Capacity to work in an multidisciplinary and multicultural team Dynamism, high level of motivation Flexibility and availability Interest for psychosocial work and field work Willingness to learn new skills and/or approaches Good capacity to interact with members of the team and different communities HIERARQUICAL RELATIONSHIPS Line manager: Operations Coordinator Line manager+1: Head of Mission- Lebanon Functional line manager: Regional Psychosocial Technical Advisor Note that this job description must remain flexible, to respond to additional tasks or changes as identified by the line manager.