MHPSS advisor

Under the supervision of the MHPSS Coordinator, the MHPSS Advisor has the responsibility to ensure all MHPSS programing is of excellent technical quality and to contribute to MdM strategy and program development. The purpose is to ensure that the MHPSS services/components of MdM program support vulnerable population in need of MHPSS with adapted approach to gender, age and vulnerability.

The MHPSS advisor will build the capacity of MdM staff and partners, monitor the quality of our MHPSS intervention, update and develop new guidelines, tools and training and support measurement of impacts of our intervention. In particular, the position will support the implementation of the community-based MHPSS approach.

Main responsibilities:

1. Capacity building and technical support to MdM MHPSS teams and partners teams.
2. Contribution to the development of MHPSS strategies, activities, guidelines, and tools.
3. Acting as the technical referent for MHPSS supervisors and MHPSS teams.
4. Contribution to Monitoring, Evaluation and Lessons learning activities for MHPSS components.
5. Reporting and participation in proposal writing from the technical perspective.
6. Representation of MdM at MHPSS level and coordination with external actors.

Main Activities:

1. Organize and Implement capacity building and technical support activities:

• Implement bi-monthly technical meetings for MdM MHPSS teams in each location of intervention to provide guidance and supervision on the clinical management of the cases, and to ensure the level of quality of interventions. 
• Participate in clinical meetings/ case discussions of MdM MHPSS teams in the different intervention areas when needed.
• Conduct regular need assessment with field staff and coordinate with MHPSS supervisors to ensure that training and supervision are adjusted to the needs of field staff and programs.
• Contribute to the good communication among team members at technical level.
• Contribute to the identification of training needed among the MHPSS teams.
• Contribute to the development and/or facilitation of training for MdM and Partners’ teams.
• Ensure the proper regular filing, documentation and dissemination of MHPSS internal and external resources and make it accessible to all MHPSS teams.
• Provide ad-hoc technical support for field teams in case of emergency of in the management of challenging situations.
• Provide guidance on the best suited approaches, methodologies and content for training based on the types of MHPSS interventions.

2. Contribute to the development of MHPSS strategy, activities and guidelines.

• Support in MHPSS needs assessments (FGDs, KII, meetings), service mapping, and contribute to the field assessments and analysis of the results.
• Contribute to the design of new MHPSS activities to meet the technical standards of MdM and respond to most vulnerable communities’ needs.
• Contribute to the development of the strategy at MHPSS level.
• Contribute to the development of a community based MHPSS component including guidelines for awareness raising sessions, peer to peer and youth activities, etc. in collaboration with the outreach supervisors.
• Facilitate MHPSS workshops with MdM MHPSS teams aiming to develop guidelines and SOPs
• Provide guidance on the best approaches in the design of new MHPSS activities and the required adequate resources.
• Contribute to the development of guidelines for staff care and support group activities in line with MdM and NMHP reference documents.
• Participate in the development of communication materials relevant to MHPSS activities in close collaboration with the Program Managers, MHPSS Coordinator, Community outreach Supervisor and MHPSS teams.
• Review of the program MHPSS related documents.
• Actively participate to MHPSS integration in health training packages.

3. Act as the technical line for MHPSS supervisors and teams and contribute to the selection of MHPSS consultants.

• Act as the technical line for MHPSS supervisors and teams.
• Contribute to the selection of the external consultants (trainers, etc.) when needed.
• Support to the follow-up for the implementation of consultancies based if needed.
• Participate in the recruitment process for technical staff, based on the needs.
• Participate in the MHPSS briefing and induction of the new MdM staff.
• Participate in the appraisal of MHPSS teams, from a technical perspective.

4. Contribute to Monitoring, Evaluation and Lessons Learnt activities for the MHPSS components.

• Ensure service users’ files are being used effectively, safeguarding service user confidentiality, and responding to case follow-up needs
• Contribute to the implementation of lessons learnt activities on the different component implemented (community activities, integration, etc.)
• Work closely with the MEAL and field teams to ensure the proper implementation of the activities and the technical program needs.
• Contribute to ensuring that MEAL systems provide adequate feedback to inform program development and course corrections as necessary.
• Contribute to the definition of indicators and the development of monitoring tools in collaboration with the MEAL team.
• Analyze project and activity indicators, achievements, data, and produce recommendations and guidance based on the trends observed and targets achieved.
• Participate in the lessons learn activities and reports.
• Contribute to the measure of satisfaction and effect of MHPSS training on the staff and partner staff.
• Contribute to the monitoring of the quality implementation of MHPSS community activities.

5. Represent MdM at MHPSS related meetings and ensure coordination with other MHPSS stakeholders.

• Participate in MdM staff meetings including technical and program meetings based on needs to ensure the proper implementation of the activities.
• Collaborate with the partner’s technical units and other local organizations or institutions.
• Represent MdM in external meetings with local and international actors and other stakeholders when needed.
• Regularly coordinate with the NMHP and stay updated in terms of National strategies, SOPs, guidelines and tools developed.
• Regularly attend MHPSS taskforce meetings
• Provide inductions and presentations on MHPSS at mission and base levels.
• Lead on coordination with other actors to ensure safe patients referrals.
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6. Contribute to reporting and proposal writing

• Submit monthly situation technical reports
• Participate in the donor’s reporting and proposal writing.
• Participate in the writing of internal MdM reports such assessment reports.
• Ensure lessons learnt, and success stories from the project are documented.

Behaviour:

• To behave with self-restraint at all times and respect the dignity and confidentiality of the service users.
• To be able to work as part of a team and participate in all activities of the mental health unit.
• To believe in concepts of equity, human rights, neutrality and impartiality.
• Demonstrate motivation at work.
• Demonstrate willingness to improve own knowledge and skills by participating in any capacity building activities.
• Respect each team member’s position, work and specialty.
• Adapt to special situations or demands from supervisor.
• Respect different cultures.

Requested Competence/skills:

• MA in Clinical Psychology 
• Holds MoPH Licence to practice
• 5 years of experience in psychotherapy
• At least three years’ experience with an NGO in MHPSS Program.
• Experience in short-term therapy (trained in IPT and/or CBT, or other therapeutic approach)
• TOT diploma is a plus.
• TOT or training in PM+, IPT, mhGAP, staff care, Self-Help+, Maternal Mental Health.
• Experience in developing guidelines, tools, lessons-learnt activities and monitoring tools is a plus.
• Good communication skills are essential to this position
• Believes in a comprehensive, holistic and recovery approach in mental health.
• Arabic and English languages are mandatory.
• Ability to organize, plan and prioritize tasks.
• Ability to identify strengths and weakness and in proposing shared solutions for the continuous improvement of providing quality services.
• Strong ability to observe, analyse, report and take initiative.
• Ability to work with a team as well as to work independently.
• Clear commitment in the project thematic.
• Ability to communicate any technical or non-technical topic with clarity and to share any important project information with the team.
• Ability to self-reflect on own work, to recognize what needs improvement and to propose solutions.
• Proficiency with Microsoft word and excel.

This job description can be modified at any time according to changes in MdM activities or in the context with prior notice and agreement between the two parties. On demand of the direct supervisor, other tasks might be added to that present list.