MHPSS Manager, Mogadishu/Kismayo, Somalia

JOB TITLE: MHPSS Manager

LOCATION: Mogadishu/Kismayo, Somalia

REPORTS TO: MHPSS and Protection Project Manager

REPORTING TO JOB HOLDER: MHPSS and Protection supervisors, MHPSS and Protection officers

OVERALL PURPOSE

▪ Ensure quality implementation of Medair’s Mental Health and Psychosocial Support programme MGQ/SOM.

▪ Management and support of the MHPSS team and overview of the mental health and psychosocial support activity implementation.

▪ Coordinate with other agencies and MHPSS stakeholders to ensure a coordinated response and effective referral mechanisms.

▪ Ensure adherence to national and international quality standards.

▪ Support PM in managing the budget and proposal writing

▪ Manage the project in terms of accurate implementation, target and indicator follow- up, reporting, and ensure accurate procurement process in line with budget

▪ Input into MHPSS strategy based on the needs identified

▪ Set up and maintain the community PSS programme in line with country MHPSS strategy and individual proposal objectives and in coordination with Community health team, supporting the MHPSS officers to train and oversee MHPSS and Protection supervisors and community volunteers and conduct supportive supervisions and on job coaching.

▪ Write internal and external reports and contribute to proposal developments

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Medair has been implementing integrated health, nutrition and WASH projects in Somalia since 2008, The current MHPSS activities are integrated in health, nutrition and WASH services and aim to improve the mental and psychosocial wellbeing of affected populations. The MHPSS and Protection activities aims to increase awareness about MHPSS and Protection (CP, GBV) through community health workers and Child Friendly Spaces, to increase the support provided to GBV survivors through case management, and to increase the capacity of health workers at the health facilities in dealing with patients with distress and mental health conditions (mhGAP HIG).

FUNCTIONAL LINKS

▪ KMU/MGQ Project Coordinator

Internal:

▪ MHPSS Project Manager (line manager)

▪ Health, Nutrition, WASH, Community Health and MHPSS project teams

▪ Project Support Manager, Support staff

External:

▪ Beneficiaries, community leaders, local and national government officials, UN agencies and other NGOs

Duties and Responsibilities:

Project Management:

• Contribute to development and implementation of an appropriate and effective MHPSS and Protection strategy
• Manage the implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of phase of the project
• Execute the assigned projects in order to meet the projects objectives within budget and within the allocated time frame, in collaboration with Project Manager.
• Ensure the proper implementation of the MHPSS activities in response to the crisis, in particular, outreach activities related to cascade group behavioural change communication messaging, Psychological First Aid (PFA) and Supportive Communication Skills (SCS), GBV case management, Whats Up groups, referrals, child friendly spaces, mhGAP-HIG, and other possible MHPSS Programme activities.

• Formulate and revise the Psychosocial Support (PSS) and BCC messages, curriculums, and approaches, in consultation with advisors, program managers, project staff, and the community volunteers.
• Conduct service mappings and setting up appropriate referral pathways and follow up mechanisms
• Engage with relevant community leaders, community-based organizations, national and international organizations, and other service providers in supporting beneficiaries to access MHPSS and GVB services.
• Ensure proper planning and implementation of assessments and surveys as required.
• Set clear objectives and indicators for MHPSS activities in collaboration with PM, PC, and in country and GSO advisors.
• Continuously monitor, supervise and evaluate activities and progress, 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 activities according to Medair, donor and other applicable timeframes and formats.
• Contribute to the development of new proposals, linked to the assessed needs and gaps and the Medair country strategy, in conjunction with the project’s coordinator and advisors.

Staff Management

• Manage and supervise the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) teams in the assigned area.
• Engage closely with capacity building needs of individual team members, work to facilitate growth.
• Assess the training needs of staff, develop training materials, and conduct appropriate trainings and regular clinical and technical supervisions.
• Ensure daily, weekly, monthly tasks are well planned and executed on time.
• Facilitate regular meetings to assist information sharing.
• Motivate and lead the team with examples and develop a positive team culture.
• Ensure all Medair procedures and systems are well understood and adhered to within the team
• Manage staff leave plans and performance appraisals

Financial Management

• Manage the budget for the assigned project with support of the PM and PC. Ensuring all expenses are according to budget and meet the Medair standards.
• Analyse and share regular spending updates and expense projections

Communication and Coordination

• In close coordination with the Project Manager and Project Coordinator, develop and maintain appropriate, regular, transparent and supportive communication structures with the assigned team, Medair advisor, local organizations and other relevant stakeholders
• Participate in coordination meetings, Medair internal trainings, and other working groups or meetings as required, representing Medair and feeding back to the Project Managers and Project Coordinator and staff on relevant issues.
• Coordinate all MHPSS related interventions between the MHPSS team and other departments

Logistics

• Support logistical aspects of the project.

PERSON SPECIFICATION:

QUALIFICATION / EXPERIENCE:	ESSENTIAL	DESIRABLE
Vocational qualification	– Bachelor degree in Mental health, Psychology, psychiatric nursing, humanitarian, public health (with mental health training) or social work studies) – Excellent working knowledge of English (speaking and writing).	– Master’s degree in Mental health, Clinical/ counselling/ health Psychology, psychiatric nursing, humanitarian, public health (with mental health training) or social work studies) – Trained in mhGAP-HIG, CBPSS and PFA
Work experience	– 2-3 years of experience in mental health and/or psychosocial care	– Experience managing MHPSS projects in humanitarian emergency contexts. – Experience implementing mhGAPHIG program. – Experience of behaviour change programming. – At least 1-year work experience in developing country.
Languages	– Fluency in English (written & spoken) – Fluency in Somali (written and spoken) – Excellent interpersonal and report-writing skills	-Fluency in local languages
IT	– Familiar with Microsoft Office programs, in particular Word, Excel, Outlook.	– Familiar with data management and analysis tools

COMPETENCIES	ESSENTIAL	DESIRABLE
Technical expertise	– Excellence in organizing, planning and prioritizing tasks – Analytical and problem-solving ability – Experience in implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of projects – Experience in training / mentoring / coaching staff	– Skilled in Community-based approach in mental health and psychosocial support – Familiar with MHPSS programming guidelines in emergencies (e.g. IASC guidelines, Psychological First Aid, mhGAP-HIG, )
Team building	– Team-player with good inter-personal skills – Willingness to support others and to share workload – Aptitude for community mobilisation and – Diplomatic and sensitive to cross cultural issues	– Experience of working in a multicultural team – Ability to communicate any technical or non-technical topic with clarity and to share any important project information with the team.
Adaptability	– Capacity to work under pressure and manage personal stress levels – Creative, open-minded, flexible, self-learner – Able to work additional hours in unique cases to complete work on time.	– Willingness to be stretched professionally and personally
Management& Leadership	– Able to prioritise clearly and oversee multiple tasks	– Good understanding of humanitarian work

Able to take the initiative in project decisions Able to set clear objectives for staff and to delegate Able to consult and lead by example

How to apply

Job Commitment

Planned start date: July 2024

Duration of commitment: 2 years

How to apply:

Interested candidates to send their resume to recruitment-som@medair.org before the 14th of May 2024.

Note that this is a national position open to Somali nationals only.

Female applicants are encouraged to apply.