Senior Psychosocial Support Worker

Makhzoumi Foundation Context:   Makhzoumi Foundation is a private Lebanese non-profit organization, established in 1997. Our ultimate mission is to empower Lebanese citizens - through improving their socioeconomic status, healthcare provisions, and environmental awareness, and by encouraging their quest for education - thereby enabling them to independently develop and progress their local communities, and to subsequently enhance the country’s civil society on a national scale.   For the last four years, in response to the on-going refugee crisis in Lebanon, the Makhzoumi Foundation Relief and Humanitarian Services Unit has been working from our Beirut office to deliver emergency and recovery projects in Hygiene, Shelter, Protection, Health and Livelihood Recovery sectors. The Makhzoumi Foundation is now expanding its remit through a new partnership project with IRC and UNHCR to offer services under the Protection Sector. Makhzoumi Foundation will be working with IRC on their project providing psychosocial support, case management services and apprenticeship and CFW opportunities for Street and Working Children/youths in Mount Lebanon and Beirut.   Job Overview/Summary: As part of a process of capacity building, Makhzoumi Foundation is seeking a Senior Psychosocial Support (PSS) Worker who will be trained to be responsible for overseeing the Street and Working Children’s programme Psychosocial activities for Makhzoumi Foundation in the future. This worker will be trained to be responsible for the development, implementation, documentation and monitoring and reporting of the PSS team work and for training and supporting other staff in the future once recruited, in coordination with the Child Protection Street and Working Children Deputy Manager and Manager. The Senior PSS Worker will be providing ongoing supervision and support to the street educators. He/she will oversee and support their work in implementing psychosocial activities for street and working children on a weekly basis. Major Responsibilities:   Program development & Coordination Work closely with the CP Street and Working Children Deputy Manager and Manager to develop project proposals, ensure financial processes comply with internal regulations, and prepare workplans and budgets for the PSS work done under the SaWC programme; Oversees appropriate documentation of the PSS work done under the SaWC programme; Assumes responsibility in ensuring the team delivers quality PSS services for street children and their families as according to the IASC Guidelines on MHPSS and other PSS guidelines and tools; Attend meetings in coordination with the Deputy CP SaWC Manager and Manager; Maintain regular contact with NGO’s involved in the field of  psychosocial support, child labour and  child protection; Responsible for reporting on the PSS  work done under the SaWC programme Seek opportunities for close coordination between PSS work done under the SaWC programme and other programs  Program development: Based on existing gaps in the system (both national and humanitarian), identify opportunities for program development, coordinate closely with the SaWC Deputy Manager and Manager on the development of new project proposals on the PSS work done under the SaWC programme   Program Implementation Provide support to the street educators implementing weekly PSS Activities through:  the planning of structured PSS activities, special events, basic literacy classes, outreach and ROV’s as well as night shift work (on a rotational basis). Develop PSS tools specific to street and working children, including the development of PSS modules with consultation of the beneficiaries, inclusion of ideas from the team, support from the capacity building team, and final approval by the SaWC Manager; The PSS officer will need to ensure that the planning of PSS activities matches procurement plans and procedures to implement PSS activities;  Support administrative, financial aspects of the project-purchasing items, liquidating advances, filling in relevant documentation and records in a timely manner; Ensure that all high risk cases are immediately reported to the Senior case worker; Support street educators, basic literacy teachers, outreach and ROV’s through referring in internally and externally; Conduct house visits and follow up on the street with street and working children as and when needed; Support in the organization and planning of advocacy events in coordination with the rest of the SaWC team;   M&E & Accountability Take the lead on improving, developing and implementing accountability mechanisms within the SaWC program. Ensure consent forms are obtained, filed and stored for children participating in PSS activities and for photos used. Data collection and reporting: Coordinate with the SaWC Deputy Manager and Manager, M&E staff, and Capacity Building Team on M & E tools/data  and program targets/lessons learned from other locations/interventions; Perform data collection and data entry, support evaluation of PSS done under the SaWC programme. Review the achievements and constraints of the PSS work done under the SaWC programme and provide feedback accordingly; Consistently and proactively monitor/assess the safety and security of beneficiaries, volunteers and staff and accordingly reports concerns/incidents to the security focal point and Deputy CP SaWC Manager and Manager;   Future Staff management Management of 2 Street Educators: Supervise and mentor direct-report staff, including communicating clear expectations, setting performance objectives, providing regular and timely performance feedback, and leading documented semi-annual performance reviews. Coach, train, and mentor staff with the aim of strengthening their technical capacity, exchanging knowledge within the team and providing professional development guidance Promote and monitor staff care and well-being; approve and manage all leave requests to ensure adequate coverage. Support the teams in the execution of administrative, logistic and financial tasks in coordination with the relevant departments (such as purchasing items, liquidating advances, filling in relevant documentation and records in a timely manner);     Other   Conduct weekly team meetings with the SaWC team; Other duties as assigned by Deputy SaWC Manager and Manager to enable and develop programmes in the field   Professional Standards All MF staff are required to adhere to the values, vision and mission of the Makhzoumi Foundation and to the Makhzoumi Foundation code of conduct. Awareness of the Minimum Standards for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action (http://www.cpwg.net) Excellent reporting skills   Key Working Relationships: Position Reports to: SaWC Deputy Manager and Manager IRC. Indirect Reporting:  Protection Coordinator/ Unit Manager Makhzoumi Foundation   Job Requirements: BA in Psychology, social work, human rights, or related degree preferred Minimum of two to three years’ experience of implementing child protection programs preferably psychosocial activities,  social work or case management, in humanitarian or development settings; Demonstrated experience of planning and conducting children’s PSS activities; Ability to work on the street supporting psychosocial activities for street and working children; Demonstrated understanding of working with children and particularly vulnerable children; Experience in managing and supporting staff development; Strong drafting and reporting skills; Knowledge and experience in using and updating databases; Fluency in written and spoken Arabic, English speaking mandatory;  Proficient in Microsoft Word and excel; Personal qualities: Team player, flexible, able to handle pressure well and work in cross-cultural setting; Staunch advocate of child protection and child rights;   Desirable not essential Experience working with street and working children; Experience working with Syrian, Dom and Turkmen communities; Experience working with Child Friendly Spaces.   The tasks and responsibilities defined in this job description are not exhaustive and can evolve depending on the project needs.