Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Specialist – Moldova

INTERSOS is an independent humanitarian organization that assists the victims of natural disasters, armed conflicts and exclusion. Its activities are based on the principles of solidarity, justice, human dignity, equality of rights and opportunities, respect for diversity and coexistence, paying special attention to the most vulnerable people.

Terms of reference

Job Title: Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Specialis

Code: SR-59-9528

Duty station: Chisinau, Moldova

Starting date: 01/11/2024

Contract duration: 4 Months

Reporting to: Protection Coordinator

Functional Supervisor: Mental Health Referent HQ

Dependents: Accompanied duty station

General context of the project

INTERSOS in Moldova is working to ensure health and protection services for people fleeing the war in Ukraine and the vulnerable host community. The INTERSOS health team provides primary health care consultations and medical case management, supporting access to the existing national health system. As part of the health program, INTERSOS has established cooperation with national health institutions and set up fixed medical consultation points in several districts of the country, providing access to all those in need of health services in the surrounding areas. The INTERSOS Protection Team provides mental health and psychosocial support sessions and case management, including non-food donations for the most vulnerable. INTERSOS Moldova helped to renovate and equip 12 safe spaces at the national level and carried out capacity-building activities with the space managers to ensure self-sustainability for the future.

General purpose of the position

Support the Protection Coordinator in defining, supervising and implementing the MHPSS component of the protection programme.

Provide technical guidance and advices to protection staffs, ensuring that specific MHPSS components of the programme are delivered according to internal guidelines and in line with international standards and principles, in order to achieve the mission’s goals effectively, according to INTERSOS human resources vision and values.

Main responsibilities and tasks

Technical Leadership

• Develop the MHPSS Response framework and strategy for the mission in line with Mission Protection Strategy, the Global Protection Framework and the Global MHPSS guidelines
• The framework and strategy should support the development of a harmonised structure for group PSS, emotional support groups, awareness-raising and community outreach/engagement components across the mission using a Community-based and Strengths based Approach
• Should build on Community practices, assets, and structures that are conducive to the promotion of good mental health and ensure that our programming builds on these assets
• Should be informed by identified key mental health issues and contributing factors in the communities for both men and women, where we work using assessment tools and research
• Ensure cohesion and harmonization of MHPSS activities, tools, guidelines and services across the different projects strategy
• Ensure Continuum of care across Protection and Health Response

Resource Development

• Design Key messages for Awareness on MHPSS based on issues identified in the community and ensure teams are sensitized on it and able to deliver these messages in the community effectively
• Ensure Awareness materials on MHPSS are designed in culturally embedded practices and use traditional practices that the community uses to spread messages
• Ensure the latest developments in the field of MHPSS are shared with the Protection staff and contextualized for their use based on need
• Design and revise MHPSS interventions and activities that are AGD sensitive and train the PSS teams on it
• Develop standard MEAL tools and indicators to measure the impact, effectiveness and quality of MHPSS interventions for children, adults and people with disabilities, and ensure the piloting and standardization of these tools. Increase and enhance MHPSS programme monitoring and evaluation, and determining impact

Staff Capacity Building and support

• Work with the Protection specialist to strengthen PSS in case management providing guidance on identifying issues, empathy, session structure and referral
• Monitor progress on individual cases documented by the psychologists, maintaining strict protocols for confidentiality and consent
• In coordination with the Protection Coordinator deliver trainings and workshops to protection staff to build skills on MHPSS topics. Develop training materials according to national policies and international standards
• Support the Protection Coordinator to deliver trainings and workshops to non-protection staffs to build skills and knowledge of Staff Care, Mental Health, PFA and other topics relevant to all sectors

Coordination and Monitoring:

• Maintain and update the MHPSS platforms for synchronization of data protection management and reporting
• Contribute to the design of the protection strategy of the mission and provide technical support and assistance for the implementation of the MHPSS activities through the proper tools and methodologies
• In coordination with the Protection Coordinator support to contextualize and adapt internal and global guidelines, guaranteeing that are known by relevant staff

Networking and Partnership

• Maintain collaborative working relationships with relevant clusters and related working groups at national and/or field level and guarantee compliance to the eventual monthly cluster reporting requirements
• Represent INTERSOS in MHPSS in meetings and share best practices and lessons learnt
• Act as focal point in the protection cluster for the MHPSS technical working group
• In coordination with the Protection Coordinator ensure that main MHPSS concerns are brought to relevant stakeholders to advocate the respect of human rights and guarantee the minimum protection standards
• Network with MHPSS leaders of other missions and other organizations to share best practices and resources

Required profile and experience

Education

• University degree in Social Science, Psychology, Social Work, Human Rights, International Humanitarian Law, or other fields related to social development and humanitarian work.
• Preferable master’s degree in a related field

Professional Experience

Minimum 6 years work experience in protection with NGOs, preferably with MHPSS-related experience

Professional Requirements

• Computer literacy (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, INTERSOS MHPSS Platform is a plus
• Strong theoretical, technical, and practical knowledge of MHPSS
• Demonstrated ability to work in a humanitarian context (experience with IDPs is an asset)
• Excellent understanding of protection, human rights law, and international humanitarian rights and principles
• Excellent analytical and reporting skills on protection and human rights
• Flexibility and ability to work in insecure, stressful, and hardship environments
• High confidentiality, respect, and non-discriminatory attitude
• Diplomatic skills in networking with partners, authorities, and donors
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
• Strong time management, resourcefulness, and attention to detail.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and ability to work and integrate into a multicultural team.
• Commitment to INTERSOS principles.

Languages

Fluency in English

Personal Requirements

• Strong theoretical, technical, and practical background in protection
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and ability to work and integrate in a multicultural team
• Ability to work under pressure, flexibility
• Problem solver, dynamic, mature, proactive
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage efficiently multiple priorities, deadlines, and tasks
• Solid time-management skills, resourcefulness, and attention to detail.