JOB DESCRIPTION

TITLE: MHPSS Assistant

TEAM/PROGRAMME: Health & Nutrition LOCATION: Maidan Wardak

GRADE: 6 CONTRACT LENGTH: Regular Fixed Term

Child Safeguarding:

Level 2: either the role holder will have access to personal data about children and/or young people as part of their work; or they will be working in a ‘regulated’ position (accountant, barrister, solicitor, legal executive); therefore a police check will be required (at ‘standard’ level in the UK or equivalent in other countries).

ROLE PURPOSE:

Under the supervision of H&N Coordinator and with the technical support of the MHPSS Specialist and MHPSS Technical Advisor, the MHPSS Assistant will support integration of MHPSS dimensions in the Maidan Wardak province Health and Nutrition programme 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 Maidan Wardak. The MHPSS assistant will act as Focal Point for MHPSS in Maidan Wardak province 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: MHPSS counsellors

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

This position will be working closely with the Health and Nutrition teams in Maidan Wardak with an aim to:

1) Contribute to the formulation of Maidan Wardak work plans and ensure the systematic integration of MHPSS priorities and interventions in H&N 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 Officers, 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.

BEHAVIOURS (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 their team to do the same

• widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others

• future orientated, thinks strategically and on a global scale.

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; demonstrates highest levels of integrity

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• A university degree in psychology or a medical doctor.

• 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.

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.

Health and Safety

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