ROLE PURPOSE

Under the supervision of the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Coordinator, the MHPSS Programme Officer will be based in Beirut/ (roving) and will follow-up the implementation of an MHPSS programming through direct training and supervision of Save the Children (SCI) and partner staff. 

The MHPSS project includes the establishment and expansion of Mental health and psychosocial support capacity, knowledge, skills through capacity building of SCI and partner staff across various sectors on general MHPSS and evidence-based MHPSS curricula, as well as on other identified topics. The MHPSS Programme Officer should ensure that all aspects of work are undertaken in accordance with Save the Children’s Policies.

As a MHPSS Programme Officer, he/she is responsible for the field implementation of the MHPSS trainings and providing support to teams who will be in direct regular contact with children and adults, ensuring the safety and the well-being of the children and the caregivers attending the activities according to the Child Safeguarding and PSEA Policy. 

In the event of a major humanitarian emergency, the role holder will be expected to work outside the normal role profile and be able to vary working hours accordingly.

CHILD SAFEGUARDING

Level 3 - the post holder will have contact with children and/or young people either frequently (e.g. once a week or more) or intensively (e.g. four days in one month or more or overnight) because they work country programs; or are visiting country programs; or because they are responsible for implementing the police checking/vetting process staff.

SCOPE OF ROLE

Reports to: MHPSS Coordinator 

Staff reporting to this post: N/A

Budget Responsibilities: N/A

Role Dimensions: Ethics, MHPSS technical capacity, Flexibility, detail oriented, concise frequent feedback and reporting, creativity, outreaching, agility, level of self-autonomy, communication with different community stakeholders, reporting skills, capacity building, coaching and monitoring.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY: 

Programme design/development

• Plan, prepare and oversee the implementation of the MHPSS Project and activities in Beirut and Mount Lebanon Field Office, North Area Office & East Area office.
• Develop and prepare content and tools for MHPSS capacity building sessions  and MHPSS training Material for SC & partner staff as well as the reporting plan and supervision arrangements.
• Provide MHPSS training sessions to SC staff from different departments and other partner organizations.
• Conduct regular individual and group supervision sessions with MHPSS facilitators to provide guidance and strengthen professional skills.
• Provide technical guidance and support to MHPSS facilitators in complex or challenging cases to ensure safe and effective interventions.
• Ensure the timely delivery of a quality programme with the support of the coordinator
• Implement MHPSS programming activities and sessions in adherence to established standards, ensuring alignment with organizational guidelines and best practices.
• Foster cross-sectoral collaboration and integration of MHPSS into all programmatic activities to maximize impact, sustainability, and quality of psychosocial support services.
• Support the Coordinator in ensuring that the monitoring and evaluation systems are in place, in  providing monthly and weekly reports on progress.
• Ensure Coordination with Partner organizations on implementation & provision of technical support & supervision. (when relevant).
• Carry out and/or provide input to assessments, baselines studies and evaluations of community-based psychosocial activities.

Team management and capacity building

• In collaboration with the MHPSS Coordinator and MHPSS specialist, support in the identification of capacity building requirements- and deliver tailored technical trainings for other departments.
• Conduct on-site coaching & technical follow-up of trainees and implementation for relevant partner staff (with the support of the Mental health clinical supervisor).
• Conduct technical meetings with Implementing partners.
• Contribute to the preparation of technical and programmatic reports by providing accurate data and insights on MHPSS activities and outcomes.

Partnerships management

• Build and develop the capacity building of the partners through trainings and supervision. 
• In collaboration with the Coordinator roll out the capacity building plan of the partner depending on the needs and the suggested activities in the proposals.
• In collaboration with the Coordinator  organize monthly meetings with implementing partners & SCI departments to discuss progress and challenges, build sustainability and provide experience needed in terms of technical capacity. 
• Conduct regular field visits to partner sites and project locations to monitor, support, and ensure effective implementation of MHPSS activities. (when needed).

External relationships/Representation

• Ensure that programme interventions continue to be informed by and integrated with other core sectors of Save the Children, such as education, health, shelter and food security & livelihoods.
• Ensure MHPSS activities are developed in partnership with relevant key stakeholders, including local partners (where present) and aim to establish/strengthen processes and mechanisms at local, district, and national levels. Promote the participation of children in all aspects of the response where possible and appropriate.
• Continuously identify and document MHPSS issues in Beirut and Mount, North Area Office, and East Area Office Lebanon, and ensure that relevant stakeholder and duty bearers are informed.
• Advocate internally and externally for MHPSS-related activities, needs and concerns.
• Contribute to the development of case studies for the purpose of reporting, advocacy and media efforts. 

General 

• Ensure a strict adherence to the principles of child protection and child safeguarding at all times, including respect for confidentiality and always acting in the best interests of the child.
• Comply with Save the Children policies and practices with respect to child protection, code of conduct, health and safety, equal opportunities and other relevant policies and procedures.
• In agreement with line manager, perform other required duties within reason when needed (in line with skills and experience).

QUALIFICATIONS 

• BA in Psychology, social work, Education, social sciences or other related fields.
• An MA in psychology would be a plus
• Fluency in written and spoken Arabic and English. 

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

• Good communication skills with different stakeholders (essential). 
• Ability to work under pressure (desirable).
• 2 to 3 years of experience in implementing CP activities specifically in the north (desirable).
• Ability to write weekly and monthly reports. 
• Commitment  to and  understanding  of Save  the  Children’s aims,  values  and principles  including rights-based approaches
• Experience in coordination with Case Management team (essential).   
• 2 to 3 years of experience working directly in training, facilitation and Capacity building in MHPSS with Children and adults.
• 2 to 3 years of experience in providing and/or providing trainings on MHPSS interventions including Psychological First Aid (PFA), Basic psychosocial skills, Basic helping skills, Safe identification & referral to Mental Health, Wellbeing and self-care activities, etc
• Thorough understanding of MHPSS programming & interventions 
• 2 to 3 years of experience in working in NGOs or in an emergency context
• 2 to 3 years of eexperience in project management and supervision of staff
• Thorough understanding of case management and social work.
• 2 to 3 years of experience in Psychosocial Support programming and community mobilisation.
• Dynamic, innovative and able to take effective and timely decisions. (essential)

Additional job responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities as set out above are not exhaustive and the role holder may be required to carry out additional duties within reasonableness of their level of skills and experience.

Equal Opportunities

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

Child Safeguarding

We need to keep children safe so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.

Fraud Prevention

The role holder is expected to uphold high standards of integrity and transparency, and will have access to financial, operational, or programmatic resources that require strict compliance with SCI’s Anti-Fraud and Corruption Policy. This includes responsibility for preventing, identifying, and reporting any suspected fraud, corruption, or misuse of resources in the course of their work.

Safeguarding our Staff

The post holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with the SCI anti-harassment policy

Health and Safety

The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with SCI Health and Safety policies and procedures.