Psychosocial Support Officer -Beirut

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

Community Supervision:

• Lead, organise and supervise the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) activities of Community Volunteers, related to Psychological First Aid and communication skills (PFA+), peer support groups and referrals
• Train community members and CBO/local NGO partners on PFA+.
• Identify and support Community Volunteers to conduct household visits.
• Establish and maintain MHPSS peer support groups in line with programme targets, under the technical guidance of the MHPSS Manager.
• Assist CBO/Local NGOs partners to establish and maintain peer support groups in line with programme targets, and conduct regular training and supervision visits, under the technical oversight of the MHPSS Manager
• Provide continuous support on PSS activities, including check-up visits, for Community Volunteers
• Facilitate peer group PSS support sessions and individual interventions, under the technical oversight of the MHPSS Manager.

• Assist in the formulation of Psychosocial Support (PSS) messages and approaches, in consultation with health project staff and the Community volunteers.
• Monitoring for data entry and submit timely weekly and monthly reports to the MHPSS Manager.
• Assist in setting referral pathways, receive PSS referrals (internal/external), follow-up on referrals and provide feedback of actions taken
• Act as link between Medair and communities
• Engage community leaders, community-based organizations, and other service providers in supporting beneficiaries to access PSS services.
• Assist in planning and implementation of assessments and surveys as required.
• Provide individual PSS sessions to individuals.
• Provide input to the integration of beneficiary participation into all aspects of health project
• Reflect vision and values of Medair when interacting with team members, volunteers and beneficiaries

Staff Management

• Responsible for coaching and technical supervision of Community Volunteers.
• Responsible for management, organisation and support of Community Volunteers.
• Assess the PSS training needs of Community Health Volunteers and ensure that appropriate capacity building plan is established
• Develop a positive team culture.

Financial Management

• Under supervision of the MHPSS Manager prepare PDFs for payment and PRs as needed  

Communication and Coordination

• In close coordination with the MHPSS Manager, develop and maintain appropriate, regular, transparent and supportive communication structures with the assigned team and other relevant stakeholders (e.g. beneficiaries, community leaders, local municipalities) with the objective of ensuring good cooperation and partnerships.
• Participate in Medair internal trainings, and delegated by the MHPSS Manager, meetings as required, representing Medair and feeding back on relevant issues.

Logistics

• Support the logistics activities for the PSS/community health part of the project as required.

Quality Management

• Ensure quality implementation of the PSS activities
• Ensure that all standardised formats are used and guidelines are followed
• Maintain confidentiality in all aspects of clients, staff and agency information
• Ensure that all spaces where activities are implemented meet interagency standards for safe spaces whether mobile or static

Person Specification:

• Relevant degree or diploma (social worker, Degree in Community promotion/Community development)  
• 1-2 years relevant post-qualification professional experience

• Experience in Psychology OR in social work /Experience working in humanitarian emergency context

• Experience of behavior change programming
• Familiar with Microsoft Office programs, in particular Word, Excel, Outlook.
• Ability to facilitate support group sessions
• Ability to effectively assess and support persons in crisis
• Ability to provide follow-up and to monitor as per mental
• health professional’s recommendations
• Ability to conduct a full assessment of a person’s needs
• Experience in training / mentoring / coaching staff
• Experience in training / mentoring / coaching staff
• Familiar with Microsoft Office programs, in particular Word, Excel, Outlook
• Passion for and understanding of humanitarian issues
• Excellent and inspiring communicator
• Capacity to work under pressure and manage personal stress levels
• Able to work to tight deadlines