MHPSS Officer (Maternity Cover)

Organization Profile

Save the Children is an international independent non-governmental, non- profit, organisation founded in 1919. We work in over 120 countries worldwide. We are the world’s leading independent organisation for Children. Our vision is a world in which every child attains the right to survival, protection, development and participation. Our mission is to inspire breakthroughs in the way the world treats children and to achieve immediate and lasting change in their lives. 

Save the Children has worked in Afghanistan since 1976. Our way of working close to people and on their own terms has enabled us to deliver lasting change to tens of thousands of children in the country. The UN Convention of the Rights of the Child is the basis of our work.

We are helping children get a better education, we make it possible for more boys and girls to attend school, we help children protect themselves and influence their own conditions. We work with families, communities and health workers in homes, clinics and hospitals to promote basic health in order to save lives of children and mothers.

ROLE PURPOSE: 

Under the supervision of H&N Coordinator and with the technical support of the MHPSS Specialist and MHPSS Technical Advisor, the MHPSS Officer will support integration of MHPSS dimensions in Afghanistan, in the east and south (KDR)/Health and Nutrition programmed delivery, building on an evidence-based, psychosocial, developmental and multi-leveled approach, in line with global and regional standards. The role will encompass direct support to staff implementing MHPSS interventions and services, alongside capacity building, coaching and supervision of Health and Nutrition staff in Afghanistan. The MHPSS Officer will act as Focal Point for MHPSS in East/South/North respectively and will participate in relevant local coordination platforms.

The PSS Technical Supervisor will receive regular training, support and supervision from the MHPSS TA.

SCOPE OF ROLE:

Reports to:  H&N Coordinator, with technical support and supervision by the MHPSS Technical Advisor

Staff directly reporting to this post: None

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

This position will be working closely with the Health and Nutrition teams in South/North with an aim to:

      1)     Contribute to the formulation of East/South/North work plans and ensure the systematic integration of MHPSS priorities and interventions in programme delivery.

       2)     Establish close relationships and patterns of collaborations with key stakeholders in the community around MHPSS priorities

   3)     Coordinate and support the implementation of MHPSS or multi-dimensional needs assessments; ensure ongoing assessment/analysis of local context, priorities and needs related to MHPSS.

4)     In collaboration with Health and Nutrition teams, contribute to the identification of the most relevant information needed for communities related to MHPSS awareness and knowledge and support the formulation and implementation of relevant community awareness and dialogues.

5)     Conduct/update MHPSS service mappings, provide quality vetting of potential referral options, and establish/maintain referral pathways and mechanisms in collaboration with Health and Nutrition teams

6)     Review and contextualize MHPSS intervention packages, tools, activity plans and key messages, ensuring context relevance and sensitivity

7)     Contribute to developing additional resources and tools if and as required, in line with current evidence and with supervision and support by the MHPSS TA

8)     Provide supportive supervision to PSS counselors this includes weekly/bi-weekly individual supervision, monthly group supervision and monthly live/observation supervision. Following the global standards related to providing supportive supervision.

9)     Contribute to developing monitoring plans for the MHPSS portfolio, and support relevant monitoring and reporting activities

10)     Participate in local MHPSS coordination platforms, and other relevant coordination forums

11)     Using evidence-based resources as advised by the MHPSS TA, train, coach and support Health& Nutrition teams in integrating key MHPSS dimensions in their practice – including Basic Helping Skills, PFA, safe identification and referral, paraprofessional counseling etc, in line with the CO and global SOP’s and standards of good practice.

12)     Using evidence-based resources as advised by the MHPSS TA, design, plan, coordinate and contribute to implementing mental health promotion and wellbeing activities targeting health care providers

13)  The PSS Technical Supervisor will not be responsible for providing any counselling or person-focused therapeutic support to staff, this remains the responsibility of HR.

SKILLS AND BEHAVIOURS (our Values in Practice)

Accountability:

·       Holds self-accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values

·       Holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities - giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved

Ambition:

·       Sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves (and their team), takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages others to do the same

·       Widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others

·       Future orientated, thinks strategically

Collaboration:

·       Builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, members and external partners and supporters

·       Values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength

·       Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to

Creativity:

·       Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions

·       Willing to take disciplined risks

Integrity:

·       Honest, encourages openness and transparency

COMPETENCIES

Delivering results

Takes personal responsibility and holds others to account to deliver our ambitious goals for children, continually improving own performance or that of the team/ organisation. 

Applying technical and professional expertise

Applies the required technical and professional expertise to the highest standards; promotes and shares best practice within and outside the organisation.

Working effectively with others

Works collaboratively to achieve shared goals and thrives on diversity of people and perspectives; knows when to lead and when to follow and how to ensure effective cross-boundary working

Communicating with impact

Communicates clearly and confidently with others to engage and influence; promotes dialogue and ensures timely and appropriate messages, building confidence and trust with others.

Additional job responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities set out above are not exhaustive and the post holder may be required to carry out additional duties from time to time which are reasonable in relation to their level of skills and experience.

In the event of a significant humanitarian emergency, the post-holder will be expected to work outside their normal job description; vary their working hours; and occasionally work from a different location should the need arise.

Willingness to travel extensively within country (approx. 60- 70%).

Equal Opportunities

The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with the SCI Equal Opportunities and Diversity policies and procedures.

Health &Safety and Security

The post holder is required to carry out their duties in accordance with SCI Health and Safety policies and procedures and our Global Security policy and procedures.

Compliance policies: Child Safeguarding and Code of Conduct; Anti-Bribery and Fraud

The post holder is required to comply with these key policies, and other organisational policies and procedures, at all times.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• A university degree in Medical Science.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in mental health& psychosocial support (MHPSS) field in the humanitarian context, experience in working with IDP’s is an asset.
• Minimum of 1-year experience providing supportive supervision to MHPSS staff.
• Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills including team leading and influencing.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in Dari/Pashto depending on location, English is an asset.
• Proven capacity to train, supervise, and coach staff in MHPSS technical skills and coordination, based on evidence-based approaches and intervention packages
• Comfortable with high levels of ambiguity and able to take decisions independently in fluid context.
• Experience with refugee/marginalized communities desired.
• Sound knowledge of IASC MHPSS guidelines, human rights, and protection in humanitarian contexts.
• Commitment to Save the Children values and Child Safeguarding.

The duties and responsibilities listed are representative of the nature of work required and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Email / Application Form:  

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