Mental Health and Psycho-social Support Specialist

JOB OPPORTUNITY

 Mental Health and Psycho-social Support Specialist - Moldova

World Vision International is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. World Vision - Moldova Office is looking for a highly qualified and motivated person for the position of Mental Health and Psycho-social Support Specialist.

JOB PURPOSE:

• World Vision Moldova is looking for a passionate, organized, creative, and proactive MHPSS Officer to join our team.
• The MHPSS Officer will be responsible for coordinating and supporting MHPSS activities implementation. S/he will coordinate the MHPSS feasibility assessment that includes not limited to the assessment of local MHPSS partners, help in the regular mapping of MHPSS services. S/he will assist implementing MHPSS activities effectively and timely.
• The MHPSS Officer will be the operational focal point working with counterparts in Finance and MEAL Teams with a focus on MHPSS.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITES

The MHPSS Officer will be responsible for coordinating and supporting MHPSS activities implementation. S/he will coordinate the MHPSS feasibility assessment that includes not limited to the assessment of local MHPSS partners, help in the regular mapping of MHPSS services. S/he will assist implementing MHPSS activities effectively and timely.
The MHPSS Officer will be the operational focal point working with counterparts in Finance and MEAL Teams with a focus on MHPSS. 

Implementing Activities

• Participate in the development and implementation of group-based psychosocial programming.
• Develop and disseminate detailed plans and guidelines that will support delivery of sound MHPSS strategies appreciating the unique contexts where the different MHPSS interventions will be implemented.
• Ensure proper planning and implementation of mental health and psychosocial support interventions in the project areas.
• Work closely with project managers to Ensure all grant interventions are implemented within schedule, plans and budgets and regularly review project status.
• Provide effective technical support to field project teams/partners on roll out of the recognized and approved MHPSS models and approaches (such as Problem Management Plus, Interpersonal Therapy for Groups (IPT-G), Self Help Plus (SH+) and Doing What Matters in times of Stress DWM).
• Ensure implementing partners, and partner Government entities and Community workers have adequate skills and knowledge to deliver psychosocial support interventions at the household level through weekly supervision sessions, and provide training throughout the supervision process when and as required with the project clinical Supervisors.
• Support structured MHPSS activities for groups of boys and girls of different age groups, with particular attention to survivors of SGBV, unaccompanied children and other children who present with signs of poor mental health and distress.
• Ensure the care and safety of clients is being upheld and safety risks are adequately responded to and reported to the response director.
• Contribute to proposal writing, donor reports and internal World Vision reports as required.
• Monitor the strategy and mechanisms for the integration of mental health and psychosocial support across World Vision inter-sectoral programming and ensure close coordination between the MHPSS department and other departments/sectors.
• Promote ongoing integration of MHPSS at the community level within health facilities and other community-based services.
• Maintain updated records of supervision to be used in Supervisor’s supervision in liaison with MHPSS  Advisor.
• Ensure monitoring and reporting of serious adverse events witnessed during project implementation are effectively addressed.
• Ensure compliance to World Vision, WHO ethics and donor guidelines and standards.
• Ensure monthly monitoring of project indicators and facilitate regular reflections on monitoring practice to make improvements
• Ensure timely submission of quality reports (Situational Reports, Annual, Semi-annul and Monthly Management Reports) in line with World Vision grant reporting guidelines
• Support the professional, technical development of the MHPSS technical team.
• Conduct regular MHPSS trainings and capacity-building sessions for staff on topics including case management, psychological first aid, Problem Management Plus (PM+), Interpersonal Therapy for Groups (IPT-G), and evidence-based interventions.
• Refining Psychosocial Needs Assessment Protocols and Skills;
• Designing and implementing self-care and team building activities
• Conduct competency assessments for MHPSS partners and psychologists and plan appropriate capacity support measures.
• Prepare all materials for training and team building sessions.
• Ensure capacity building of project teams/partners on ethical and quality research processes for mental health.
• Represent World Vision at relevant coordination meetings, including co-chairing Technical Working Group and promote interagency coordination and MHPSS guidelines.
• Liaise and collaborate with existing government structures and local authorities organizing MHPSS activities and advocating for collaboration on local MHPSS initiatives.
• Assist national partners in the development of the detailed mental health and psychosocial needs implementation plan in accordance with World Vision’s and donor requirements
• Ensure close working collaboration with key Government line ministries and other like-minded Partners.

Other roles:

• Be aware of the emergency procedures in a response and ensure that necessary preparedness measures have been implemented.

KNOWLEDGE / QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE ROLE

Required Professional Experience

• Mental Health professional with a Degree in Counselling Psychology, Psychology, Clinical Psychology related field in Mental Health.
• Knowledge of public health, protection, human rights, international development, project management or other relevant field is an added advantage
• Clinical experience at community level, either in a research or clinical capacity
• A minimum of 3 years working experience in mental health and psychosocial support in humanitarian settings or, one of which has to be at a supervisory level.
• Experience providing clinical supervision in individual and group settings and setting up supervisory models for large-scale MHPSS programs
• Experience working with MHPSS Implementing partners in humanitarian settings
• Experience conducting MHPSS-related trainings and development of training materials
• Strong organizational and supervisory skills and strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work within different cultural environments
• Ability to work within a team structure or in isolation, flexible, and can cope with stressful workloads and working with limited resources
• Ability to work under pressure and deliver in a fast-paced environment

Required Education, training, license, registration, and certification

• Bachelor of Arts/Science or equivalent in Counselling Psychology or Clinical social work is an added advantage]
• Psychological Association Practice License or Accreditation is an added advantage.

Preferred Knowledge and Qualifications

• Training and experience in Problem Management (PM+), Psychological First Aid (PFA), IPT-G, MH GAP ,SH+,Working with other sectors to enhance outcomes of MHPSS elements of child protection.
• Well versed with IASC Guidelines and application in humanitarian settings, MHPSS Minimum Service Package-Field test
• Understanding of the local context and culture an advantage.

Travel and/or Work Environment Requirement

• Ability and willingness to travel within Ukraine

Language Requirements

• English required, Ukrainian/Russian-added advantage/ preferred.

Applicant Types Accepted:

Local Applicants Only

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted

Mode of Application:

If you are interested in this position, to apply, please register at:  https://worldvision.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/WorldVisionInternational/job/Chisinau-Moldova/MHPSS-Specialist---Moldova_JR25939

No information inquiries will be handled over the phone. Only short-listed candidates will be notified for the interview. The deadline for application is November 7th,  2023.

Note ** November 6th will be the last available day in the system to apply.

As a Child focused organization, World Vision is committed to the protection of children and does not employ staff whose background is not suitable for working with children. All employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of all applicable background checks.