MHPSS Program Manager

Based in Beirut or Tripoli (if based in Beirut: willingness to be in Tripoli 3 days per week, if based in Tripoli: frequent travels to Beirut), the MHPSS Program Manager should contribute to the protection and improvement of mental health and psycho-social well-being of people living in Lebanon with the followings main responsibilities: 

Main responsibilities:

• Manage and supervise the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) teams in the assigned areas (Beirut, Tripoli)
• Ensure the proper implementation of the MHPSS activities
• Coordinate all MH related interventions between the MHPSS team and other departments (health, outreach, advocacy)
• Coordinate MHPSS activities among the MHPSS staff 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 PHC Centre level
• Take an active role in MHPSS assessments and mapping to be conducted on the field.
• Ensure regular and accurate data collection and reporting
• Be the focal point for emergency cases and their hospitalization.
• Contribute to the analysis of MHPSS activities

Main activities:

1. Management of the MHPSS teams

• Directly manage, support and follow up the community mental health center (CMHC) supervisor(s)
• Support and follow-up the work of the psychotherapists / case managers
• 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 prepare 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 PHC Centers and within communities/settlements
• Participate in the development of resources for MH awareness that are utilized by case managers

3. Management of emergency situations

• Act as focal point for emergency cases
• Ensure a proper hospitalization process (identification of case and referral to a psychiatrist, liaison with UNHCR and other relevant agencies, transportation to hospital, admission, follow-up and provision of basic assistance, liaison with the family, discharge)
• Provide direct support for high risk beneficiaries, emergency cases and their hospitalization process. 
• Share problematic situations and cases with the MH Coordinator / technical advisor for help with decision making and problem resolution

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

• Prepare awareness/training sessions about MHPSS for MdM staff, PHCs staff and partners
• Harmonize 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

5. Participation in the design and implementation of a referral system between community / PHC / CMHC

• 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 PHCs and the CMHCs
• 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
• Coordinate with the outreach team to ensure proper referral from the community
• Focal point – with the supervisor of the CMHC - for external referrals.

6. Coordination with MHPSS and protection stakeholders

• Attend the MHPSS task force and other working groups when required
• Attend coordination meetings and represent MdM in relevant interagency meetings 
• Participate in coordination meetings (working group/ task force) and inter-NGO trainings
• 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

7. Data collection, analysis, and reporting

• Elaborate and update the monitoring tools in coordination with MH coordinator and the MEAL 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

8. 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 other contributors

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.
• To know very well Tripoli area 
• To be willing to spend at leat 3 days per week in Tripoli

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.