KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:
Community-based MHPS supports:
• Support Child Protection/Education/Health/Nutrition/MHPSS Officers with identifying, designing, planning and delivering community-based mental health promotion and prevention activities, around issues of concern to local communities, caregivers and children
• With the support of the MHPSS Technical Advisor, collaborate with the staff implementing MHPSS activities in each location to develop and adapt evidence-informed content for CB MHPSS activities, including MHPSS education and awareness materials relevant to MHPSS concerns in the local community
Structured MHPSS interventions for children and families:
• Train and capacitate Child Protection, Education, Health, Nutrition and MHPSS teams (SCI and partners) to plan and conduct structured MHPSS activities, based on agreed intervention packages and curriculums (CYRP, PwV, HEART, SEL).
• Monitor quality implementation and provide ongoing identification of training and capacity support needs
• Collaborate with the MHPSS Technical Advisor in the identification of additional structured MHPSS intervention packages for children, caregivers and families, to expand the existing portfolio if and as needed
Person-focused MHPS supports to children and caregivers in need of additional support:
• Collaborate with the MHPSS Technical Advisor in the identification of relevant person-focused intervention models and packages for children, caregivers and families
• Collaborate with the MHPSS Technical Advisor in the definition of practice guidelines and SOPs for the provision of person-focused MHPS supports
• Work with staff implementing MHPSS interventions to identify their training needs and, with the support of the MHPSS Specialist, develop and adapt relevant training modules to ensure that the officers are equipped to provide safe and effective person-focused MHPS supports.
• Provide regular structured supervision to MHPSS Officers to ensure that they are providing high-quality evidence-based psychosocial interventions, based on the agreed intervention models/packages and practice guidelines/SOPs; and provide day-to-day remote support on complex cases as needed.
• Oversee the implementation of a safe confidential MHPSS record-keeping system, that complements the existing Child Protection Case Management system.
MEAL:
• Collaborate with MEAL staff to oversee the field-level implementation of robust monitoring, evaluation and learning systems for MHPSS activities.
• Oversee the safe and ethical collection, storage and reporting of MHPSS program data.
Coordination and operational support:
• Work with program and area managers at the field level to ensure that the necessary operational support is in place for MHPSS Officers and staff implementing MHPSS to carry out their duties.
• Provide ongoing feedback to the MHPSS Technical Advisor about operational needs and funding needs at each field location to inform proposal development and national, regional and global advocacy.
• Work with MHPSS Officers and staff implementing MHPSS to identify potential partner organizations in each field location and develop collaborative partnerships to benefit from local expertise, develop local MHPSS capacity, and improve the local impact and sustainability of MHPSS activities.
Professional requirements:
• Stay up-to-date on evidence-based psychological interventions and advances in the field of Child and Adolescent Mental Health.
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.
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
Required
• Advanced degree in Psychology, Mental Health, or related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible professional experience in a similar capacity
• Work experience in humanitarian emergencies or protracted-conflict settings.
• Proven capacity to train, supervise, and coach staff in MHPSS technical skills and coordination, based on evidence-based approaches and intervention packages
• Sound knowledge of IASC MHPSS guidelines, human rights, and protection in humanitarian contexts.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work within different cultural environments.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and reporting skills.
• Fluency in English, Dari and Pashto
• Commitment to Save the Children values and Child Safeguarding.
Desired
• Academic background and/or professional experience in the provision of Child and Adolescent MHPSS services.
• Experience working with IDP’s
• MH GAP
The duties and responsibilities listed are representative of the nature of work required and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Additional job responsibilities
Willingness to travel extensively within country
