Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Manager

Starting Date / Initial Contract Details

As soon as possible. Full time, 12 months

Role Overview

The MHPSS Manager supports, monitors and evaluates the execution of the assigned Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) and Protection project(s) conducted by Psychosocial Support Officers (PSSOs). This involves effectively managing and reporting on the projects in line with objectives, timeframe, and budget under the direct supervision of MHPSS Project Manager (PM). In close cooperation with the MHPSS PM, the MHPSS Manager will be managing and training local staff to meet international quality standards in mental health and psychosocial support delivery, encouraging beneficiary participation, liaising with other stakeholders, and anticipating, planning, and contributing to report and proposal writing for integrated MHPSS components in overall programming with a special focus on Protection.

Project Overview

Medair’s goal in the Ukraine crisis is to provide rapid emergency assistance to the internally displaced people and others affected by the escalation of conflict in Ukraine, to cover their immediate needs in health, shelter, and basic assistance. The locations the MHPSS Manager will cover include, but are not limited to: Kyiv, Chernihiv, Sumy, and Kharkiv.

Key Activity Areas

Major Duties and Responsibilities

• Manage the assigned MHPSS project(s) in the North and East to meet the project objectives within budget and within the allotted timeframe, promptly reporting operational concerns to the MHPSS PM (e.g. projected failure to meet objectives; increased beneficiary needs; projected over or under spending on project budget).
• Provide strong leadership of the assigned MHPSS projects, ensuring both short-term and long-term positive impacts and outcomes for the beneficiaries, local authorities (where applicable) and local staff.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of an appropriate and effective MHPSS strategy including coordinating assessments at new field sites in consultation with MHPSS PM.
• Set clear objectives and indicators for MHPSS activities in collaboration with MHPSS PM.
• Continuously monitor and supervise MHPSS activities, evaluating progress through outputs and impacts using both quantitative and qualitative data involving the MHPSS team (PSS Officers and PSS assistants) in analysis and taking appropriate action as needed to ensure continued progress.
• Provide input into the integration of beneficiary participation and accountability in all aspects of the project.
• Ensure accurate and timely reporting of all MHPSS activities.  
• Assist in liaising with national authorities, mental health professionals, and community-based organizations (CBO). 
• Follow security protocols and ensure they are followed by PSS staff.  

Staff Management

• Line-manage the PSS Officers within the assigned projects, including day-to-day management.
• Facilitate regular meetings to assist information sharing between project staff, to ensure all staff members are aware of project objectives and current work plans and to provide the opportunity for feedback.
• Provide coaching and technical supervision to staff to develop ownership for MHPSS activities for officers, assistants, and community workers as needed.
• Assess the training needs of MHPSS staff and ensure together with the MHPSS PM that appropriate training is conducted.  

Financial Management

• Under supervision of the MHPSS PM, manage the MHPSS budgets for the assigned project(s) in Kyiv and ensure all expenses are according to budget and meet the Medair standards about financial management, including accountability and good governance

Communication and Coordination

• Develop and maintain appropriate, regular, transparent, and supportive communication structures with the broader Medair team and other relevant stakeholders (e.g., beneficiaries, community leaders, local and national government officials, UN agencies and other NGOs), to ensure good cooperation and partnerships.
• Participate in Protection, MHPSS TWG, and other coordination or working group meetings as appropriate and as assigned by the MHPSS PM, as well as in Medair internal trainings representing Medair and feeding back to the MHPSS PM on relevant issues. 

Quality Management

• Promote and use the Medair operating procedures, ensuring that all standardised formats are used, and guidelines are followed.
• Ensure MHPSS projects are implemented in line with donor proposals and requirements and in accordance with Medair, donor, country and international standards i.e. Sphere, CHS and IASC guidelines.
• Conduct regular field visits to assess quality of activities and to meet with and coordinate with local authorities and organisations.  

Team Spiritual Life

• Reflect the values of Medair with team members, local staff, beneficiaries, and external contacts.
• Work, live, and pray together in our Christian faith- based team settings. Fully contribute to the rich spiritual life of your team, including team devotions, prayer, and words of encouragement.
• Encouraged to join and contribute to Medair’s international prayer network.

Qualifications

• Degree in Psychology, Psychiatric Nursing, Social Work, Public Health or Global Mental Health   
• 2 years’ post-qualification professional experience
• Strong working knowledge of English (spoken and written).

Experience

• At least 3 years’ experience in managing programmes in international public health work, with at least 1 year in humanitarian emergency context. At least 1-year management experience.
• Familiar with Microsoft Office programs, in particular Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint.
• Team-player with good inter-personal skills. Willingness to support others and to share workload.
• Aptitude for community mobilisation and capacity-building.
• Experience in training / mentoring / coaching staff.
• Capacity to work under pressure and manage personal stress levels.
• Ability and willingness to manage project implementation.
• Good numerical, report writing and administration skills. Problem solving ability.
• Experience in the design, monitoring of implementation and evaluation of programmes.
• Knowledge and experience of (primary) mental health care principles and management.