Mental Health and Psychosocial Program Manager - Beirut

Position:                                  MHPSS Program Manager 

Place:                                      Beirut, Lebanon

Direct supervisor:                   Mental Health Coordinator

Supervisory responsibilities   Management and Support of mental health team, overview of the mental health activities implementation

Main objective:                        To contribute to the protection and improvement of mental health and psychosocial wellbeing of people living in Lebanon  

Following the Beirut blast, MdM has developed a MHPSS response, including outreach activities to provide onsite MHPSS interventions to person affected by the blast, internal referral to MdM Community Mental Health Center (CMHC) or helpline and referral to stakeholders. MdM is now looking for a MHPSS Project Manager in order to strengthen and develop its response in the Karantina area.

Main responsibilities:

• Manage and supervise the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) team in the assigned areas (Beirut)
• Ensure the proper implementation of MHPSS activities
• Coordinate all mental health (MH) related interventions between the MHPSS team and other departments (health, outreach, advocacy)
• Coordinate MHPSS activities among the team and the partners of the project.
• Participate in the capacity building of the staff and partners
• Assist in the development and implementation of preventive mental health measures and psycho-social activities at both the community and PHCC level
• Take an active role in MHPSS assessments and mapping to be conducted on the field.
• Ensure regular and accurate data collection and reporting
• Contribute to the analysis of MHPSS activities

The main responsibilities and activities of the MHPSS Program Manager can change depending on the work organization and the team composition.

Main activities:

1. Management of the MHPSS teams

• Directly manage, support and follow up the MHPSS team
• Support and follow-up the work of the psychotherapists / case managers / X#     
• Provide regular feedbacks that require line manager support and decision making
• Overview the planning of annual leave and follow sick leave for MHPSS team
• Carry out annual performance appraisals for all staff under direct supervision
• Participate in the preparation and facilitation of the induction/training plan for all new team members
• Compile weekly movement plans for MH team and coordinate with logistics department.
• Prepare mission orders for logistic needs and purchase the items directly when necessary in coordination with MH coordinator and logistics department.
• Participate in the recruitment process of new staff
• Plan and follow-up the technical supervision sessions

2. Implementation of MdM MHPSS activities on the field level

• Organize the MHPSS activities and ensure their proper implementation on the field
• Coordinate with other departments / partners for the smooth implementation of any MH related intervention
• Ensure the proper and quality delivery of MHPSS services
• Make sure that all necessary forms for the patients’ files are properly completed and safely stored
• When needed, accompany the case-management team in PHCC and within the community
• Participate in the development of resources for MH awareness and prevention activities that are utilized by case managers and the nurse

3. Capacity building of MdM staff, PHC staff and partners on MHPSS

• Prepare / link with other MHPSS PMs to prepare awareness/training sessions about MHPSS for MdM staff, PHCs staff and partners
• Participate in the harmonization of resources and contribute to resource development process
• Depending on the topic, train and/or assist in the facilitation of trainings for MDM’s MHPSS team as well as partner’s staff and community members on MHPSS issues
• Motivate the MHPSS team to document their work and present it to the rest of the team

4. Participation in the design and implementation of a referral system between the MHPSS team / community / PHCCs / Hospital and Community Mental Health Center

• Assist in the development of effective referral systems between the community / PHC level / CMHC
• Make sure that the mapping for proper referrals is regularly updated
• Participate in the development of partnerships with local stakeholders necessary for the implementation of the MdM MHPSS activities
• Take an active role in building and strengthening the links between the team, surrounding PHCCs, RHUH CMHC and relevant stakeholders
• Assist the MHPSS teams with referrals for high priority cases need of other basic services
• Ensure that people in need of referral are sent to the appropriate organization

5. Coordination with MHPSS and protection stakeholders

• Attend the MHPSS working group and other working groups when required
• Attend coordination meetings and represent MdM in relevant community or interagency meetings 
• Ensure that the coordination with other NGO’s on MHPSS topics is constant, smooth and efficient
• Support the team dealing with the protection issues / risks of beneficiaries
• Coordinate with protection actors to provide technical assistance on MHPSS aspects

6. Data collection, analysis, and reporting

• Elaborate and update the monitoring tools in coordination with MH coordinator and the M&E team
• Ensure that data collection is appropriately done by the team
• Ensure the timely production and technical reports from the MHPSS teams
• Produce a monthly report
• Translate verbally and written when necessary
• Participate in donor’s reports

7. Assessments and contribution to analyzing, evaluating and adapting the program

• Assess the needs of the population in regards to mental health and care practices and propose intervention strategies through MHPSS assessments
• Assist in the assessment of mental health needs and proposition of interventions in coordination with the partner PHC Centers and the MH Coordinator to improve or settle mental health coverage.
• Participate in defining effective and culturally appropriate approaches and interventions on the community level
• Ensure that MHPSS analysis is connected to the MdM’s overall program analysis
• Participate in any intended MH research, study, lesson-learnt initiatives conducted in the field
• Contribute to proposal writing in collaboration with the MH Coordinator

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.

Behaviour:

• To behave with self-restraint at all times and respect the dignity of the beneficiaries.
• 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.

Requested Profile

• Master’s Degree in Psychology or Social Work.
• 2 to 3 years of experience with an NGO.
• Following the internationally accepted bio-psycho-social concept of mental health.
• Good communication skills are a key factor to this position.
• Proficiency with Microsoft word and excel.
• Arabic and English language are mandatory.

Requested competences:

• Believes in a comprehensive and holistic approach towards positive mental health.

• Excellence in organizing, planning and prioritizing task
• 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.
• Ability to seek, collect, and critically analyse data and information needed to achieve the tasks.
• 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 your work, to recognize what needs improvement and to propose solutions.

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