Senior Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Manager

About the International Rescue Committee (IRC)

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities.

A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

Job Overview

The Senior Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Manager will be responsible for overseeing the effective implementation of MHPSS programs, including managing budgets across multiple projects, collaborating on work plans and conducting regular monitoring visits, and providing input on MHPSS within business development.

In addition, the Sr. MHPSS Manager will be supervising mental health officers, facilitating capacity building for the field staff as well as providing collaborative supportive supervision services to enhance long-term capacity building efforts. when necessary. When required and as needed, the Sr. MHPSS Manager will provide technical support to the Child Protection, Women’s Protection and Empowerment and Protection Rule of Law Programming for focused non-specialized MHPSS interventions, as well as to partner organizations.

Under the direct supervision of Sr Health and Nutrition Coordinator, the Sr. MHPSS Manager will also coordinate with the MH Technical Advisor. The role requires a comprehensive approach to ensure adherence to protocols, financial accountability, and the seamless integration of MHPSS efforts for maximum impact.

Major Responsibilities

• Ensure the effective implementation of quality MHPSS programs, aligning with donor-approved project work plans and log frames.
• Conduct and utilize assessment results to develop action plan for MHPSS within the CP strategy to integrate MHPSS within Health.
• Lead process for endline or annual assessments to check on quality of MHPSS integration.
• Co-manage the MHPSS program budget across multiple projects in collaboration with Sr Health and Nutrition Coordinator and finance department, ensuring financial accountability.
• Proactively and directly engaging in any new business development/proposal writings relevant to MHPSS
• Collaborate in the preparation of program work plans with Senior Health and Nutrition Coordinator, Field Coordinators and team members to align efforts and maximize impact.
• Conduct regular monitoring visits to project sites, ensuring adherence to MHPSS protocols, policies, and guidelines. Identify and resolve technical and implementation issues promptly.
• Provide clinical mental health and psychosocial program supervision to project staff (re: Psychiatrist, Psychologist, General Practitioners, MHPSS mentors, Protection and GBV case workers) inclusive of ongoing capacity building, professional development, technical support and performance reviews.
• Actively support partners in the technical aspects of their MHPSS work, collaborating closely with the Partnership department for seamless integration.
• Assess unmet needs in the MHPSS sector, making recommendations to enhance IRC's approach, and contribute insights to the overall MH strategy.
• Facilitate trainings and workshops, including organizing logistics, collaborating with co-trainer/s, and documenting program indicators.
• Foster open and professional relations within the team, providing oversight and guidance to optimize staff performance and promote a strong team spirit.
• Work closely with other IRC programs in the same location, integrating program components where feasible, such as Women’s Protection, Child Protection, Economic Recovery, and Development.
• Technically supervise the team of mental health officers in the field, ensuring coordinated and effective implementation of activities.
• Facilitate training and ongoing capacity building for staff. Collaborate with Senior Health and Nutrition Coordinator, Operations, Finance, and Grant departments to ensure compliance with grant requirements. Actively engage with key stakeholders, including donors, government actors, UN agencies, and NGOs. Ensure timely and high-standard completion of donor reports.
• Actively participate in coordination mechanisms, represent the IRC in the MHPSS Technical-working group and ensure the implementation of IASC MHPSS guidelines where relevant
• Conduct/participate in Mental Health, and Psychosocial needs assessments as necessary among the conflict affected populations. This will include assessments consistent with IASC guidelines and Mental Health Psychosocial WHO assessment toolkit, at different stages of program planning and implementation.
• When needed, provide direct services to the clients.
• Perform other duties as assigned by Senior Health and Nutrition Coordinator

Safeguarding Responsibilities:

• Promote and actively participate in initiatives and efforts to build team engagement, inclusion and cohesion in IRC Health and Nutrition Department
• Foster ongoing learning, honest dialogue and reflection to strengthen safeguarding and to promote IRC values and adherence to IRC policies

Minimum Qualifications:

Educational and work experience Requirements:

• Clinical psychologist (with a master’s degree in clinical psychology or counselling psychology) with minimum three years of experience delivering specialized psychological consultations in a humanitarian setting through an NGO, or degree in sociology, mental health nursing, community MH with field experience
• Trained on, certified, and experienced in utilizing evidence-based psychological interventions (eg., IPT, CBT, TF-CBT, EMDR…).
• Knowledge of and experience in clinical supervision, training, and coaching others, with experience in mhGAP-HIG.
• Experience in assessment, program design, evaluation and technical training and supervision
• Knowledge of and experience in using established inter-agency standards and guidelines in MHPSS, such as IASC Guidelines on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings.
• Solid understanding of protection principles, case management and client-centered care in humanitarian settings.
• Ability to work within a team structure or in isolation, flexible, and can cope with stressful workloads and working with limited resources
• Excellent command of the use of Microsoft Office especially Outlook, Work, Excel and Power Point
• Good communication, teamwork skills and ability to work independently
• A very good verbal and writing skills in Amharic and English

Disclaimer:

Please note that IRC will never request applicants or candidates to make any form of payment at any stage of the recruitment process.

IRC is an equal employment opportunity employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability.

IRC strives to build a diverse and inclusive team at all levels who as individuals, and as a group, embody our culture statement creating a working environment characterized by critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity for us to achieve our aspirations as a team and deliver the best possible services to our clients.

Standard of Professional Conduct:

The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality.