MHPSS Officer- Upon Donor Approval

Position’s mission:

Background: Lebanon's Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) landscape is complex, marked by ongoing socio-political challenges, a significant refugee population, and economic strains. Despite efforts, access to quality MHPSS services remains limited. This exacerbates the vulnerability of affected individuals and communities, amplifying the shortage of MHPSS resources across the country. Demand for MHPSS service is increasing across all layers of service provision, from community-based psychosocial support to specialized mental health services. Moreover, there is a significant gap in access to affordable specialized services for individuals with acute mental health conditions, underscoring the need for strengthened referral pathways from community-based support to specialized services. To address these issues, HI is committed to strengthening the capacity of local actors and creating robust referral pathways from community-based psychosocial support to specialized services, ensuring the sustainability of access to MHPSS services by building the capacity of local partners

Main Objective of Project: The primary objectives of this project are to strengthen the referral mechanism and pathway from community-based psychosocial support services offered by HI local partner, to specialized services for individuals with acute mental health conditions offered by HI partner. Additionally, the project aims to build the capacity of HI local partner on disability inclusion in MHPSS implementation and the HI local partner on the provision of evidence-based psychotherapy.

Scope of Work: Under the supervision of the Project Manager and in close collaboration with the MHPSS Specialist, the MHPSS Officer contributes to the implementation of HI mandate and strategy in Lebanon. He/she contributes to the implementation of the aforementioned project by providing technical expertise and by ensuring the quality and impact of the project(s) concerned are optimized. He/she is also responsible for building the capacity, training, and supervising HI partner staff to ensure effective delivery of MHPSS services and disability inclusion.

Reports to: Project Manager (PM).

Collaboration and Support: Within the project structure, the MHPSS Officer collaborates closely with various positions and teams to facilitate effective program delivery and support:

• Internal: Deputy Country Manager, Operations Team, Project Team, Regional MHPSS Specialist, MEAL staff, support services team.
• External: project implementing partners (including Psychologists and PSSW), the authorities in the project area implementation, other stakeholders including local organizations and INGOs in the area of implementation, MHPSS coordination working groups.

Area of Intervention:

• Office in Beirut
• Frequent field visits to areas of intervention in Beirut and Beqaa

Missions / Responsibilities

Responsibility (1): Technical guidance and technical support to project(s) in accordance with the technical frameworks and general standards of his/her sectoral scope

• Assist in designing and implementing a robust referral pathway from community-based psychosocial support to specialized services for individuals with acute mental health conditions.
• Collaborate closely with local partners to identify existing gaps and barriers within the referral system and devise strategies to address them effectively.
• Provide technical expertise and guidance to local partners in building and strengthening the referral pathway, ensuring seamless transitions and access to specializes services,
• Develop training programs and capacity building initiatives for partner staff to enhance their understanding of the referral process, improving service delivery of MHPSS interventions
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the referral mechanism, collect feedback from stakeholders, and implement necessary adjustments to optimize its functionality.
• Advocate for the integration of the referral pathway within broader MHPSS initiatives and ensure its sustainability beyond the project duration.

Responsibility (2): Providing capacity building and supervision to staff

• Identify training needs and assist in developing a comprehensive training plan for HI’s partner’s MHPSS staff, including psychologists and PSS workers.
• Lead and conduct technical training sessions for local partners on evidence-based psychotherapies and MHPSS interventions (e.g., IASC guidelines, Psychological First Aid, scalable interventions such as SH+/PM+/IPT-G, individual and group psychosocial support and counselling, crisis management protocols, users centered approach…).
• Ensure all training materials and outcomes are documented and analyzed for effectiveness.
• Provide continuous on-the-job coaching and technical supervision through regular field visits, case discussions, and follow-up of staff performance.
• Manage and oversee implementation of internal and external referrals by social workers, especially to psychiatric services, ensuring a proper care pathway for beneficiaries.

Responsibility (3): Ensuring Regular Reporting and Knowledge Management

• Ensure regular reporting on activities to the line manager and technical manager, providing technical feedback and recommendations to the project team.
• Contribute to the development of technical guidelines, lessons learned, and protocols, ensuring that data collection by field teams is suitable for analysis and reporting in collaboration with the Data Base/MEAL Manager
• Prepare and submit monthly plans and reporting to the Project Manager, and discuss updates on weekly basis.

Responsibility (4): Contribute to Ensure the Technical Influence of HI on its Perimeter

• Contribute to the outreach of HI expertise: can represent HI technical expertise by delegation in relevant local, regional and international networks and with local partners.
• Where appropriate, coordinate and collaborate with the project's technical partners as delegated by the Project Manager.
• Relay and contribute to advocacy messages within its scope of wok
• Write new project content for the continuity or expansion of the project within its technical scope.
• Contribute to the writing of new proposals for new opportunities within its technical scope, advocating for the integration of MHPSS services into future projects.

Responsibility (5): Emergency Preparedness and Response Responsibilities

• Contribute to the support or implementation of emergency preparedness actions of the program(s) and, during an emergency, adapts his/her work modality in order to contribute to an effective HI humanitarian response.

Note that this job description must remain flexible, to respond to additional tasks or changes as identified by the line manager.

Handicap International is an equal opportunity employer and particularly welcomes applications from woman and persons with disabilities.

Education:

• Essential: MA in Clinical Psychology with MOPH license to practice in Lebanon

Experience:

• Essential: Minimum 3 years of professional experience in similar position
• Essential: Experience in providing professional capacity building and coaching to teams
• Essential: Experience working with NGOs in emergency or/ and development context
• Essential: Ability to develop and apply clinical tools 
• Essential: Ability to provide supervision on evidence-based psychotherapies and on mental health approaches in emergencies (IASC guidelines, Psychological First Aid, mhGAP, crisis management protocols, users centered approach…)
• Desirable: Minimum of 2 years practical experience in working with vulnerable group including Persons with Disabilities.

Computer skills:

Essential: Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PP, Outlook…)

Language:

• Essential: English (high proficiency)
• Essential: Arabic (mother tongue)

Other skills:

• Ability to work in a multidisciplinary team
• Excellent reporting capacity skills (written and oral communication)
• Ability to work with partners
• Knowledge of referral mechanism
• Ability to develop accessible information materials

PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS:

HI workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in HI Code of conduct. In accordance with these values, HI operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child. Safeguarding, Anti-fraud, bribery, and corruption.

Basic salary ranges for the position: MHPSS Officer is going to be paid according to the experience and to HI salary Grid.

Basic Salary Starting USD 1,700 USD

Closing date:19-05-2024

Interested candidates send their CV to recruitment@lebanon.hi.org with the subject “MHPSSO-05-24”

Application should include CV and motivation letter. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.