Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Coordinator (MHPSS)

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Mental Health & Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Coordinator

Location: Nairobi, Kenya

Reporting to: Project Director

Date: Immediately

Description

The Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) is an international Catholic organization with a mission to accompany, serve, and advocate on behalf of refugees and other forcibly displaced persons, that they may heal, learn, and determine their own future. Founded in November 1980 as a work of the Society of Jesus, JRS was officially registered on 19 March 2000 in Vatican City as a foundation.

JRS is present in over 56 countries worldwide, providing services to more than 811,884 individuals. The work is overseen by 10 regional offices with support from the International Office in Rome. In Kenya, JRS has two projects: an urban refugee project in Nairobi focusing on Education and Livelihoods and field project in Kakuma Refugee Camp focusing on Education, Integrated psychosocial inclusive Education programme in Centres and Safe Shelters.

Operational Context/Role

The MHPSS Coordinator’s role entails Supervision, Reporting and Coordination. They will work closely with the various sector teams, implement, monitor, follow up and report on all MHPSS program activities that include trainings, workshops, facilitation, and data collection.

Reporting to the Project Director, the MHPSS Coordinator, preferably a male, will be based in Nairobi. This is a fixed term contract typefor five (5) months with possibility for extension subject availability of funds and performance.

Child Safeguarding and PSEA commitments

JRS has zero-tolerance towards all forms of sexual exploitation and abuse and takes seriously all concerns and complaints about sexual exploitation and abuse against children and vulnerable adults by JRS personnel. JRS is committed to Safeguard children and vulnerable adults and has policies which outline the expected behaviour, code of conduct and responsibility of all persons acting on behalf of JRS (Staff, consultants, volunteers, interns, Pastoral team and other representatives). All staff working for JRS are expected to abide by this policies and guidelines.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

Overall Role

Manage the assigned MHPSS projects in the Nairobi to meet the JRS project objectives within budget and within the allotted timeframe, promptly reporting operational concerns to the Nairobi Project Director and Country Projects Manager (e.g. projected failure to meet objectives; increased beneficiary needs; projected over or under spending on project budget).
Provide strong leadership of the assigned MHPSS projects, ensuring both short-term and long-term positive impacts and outcomes for the participants, local authorities (where applicable) and staff.
Contribute to the development and implementation of an appropriate and effective MHPSS strategy including coordinating assessments at field sites in consultation with Project Director.
Set clear objectives and indicators for MHPSS activities in collaboration with Project Director.
Continuously monitor and supervise MHPSS activities, evaluating progress through outputs and impacts using both quantitative and qualitative data involving the MHPSS team (interns and assistants) in analysis and taking appropriate action as needed to ensure continued progress.
Provide input into the integration of beneficiary participation and accountability in all aspects of the project.
Ensure accurate and timely reporting of all MHPSS activities.
Assist in liaising with national authorities, mental health professionals, and community-based organizations (CBOs).
Follow security protocols and ensure they are followed by MHPSS staff.

Technical / Management

Develop and manage a comprehensive activity plan covering the time frame of the project proposal.
Ensure the quality and sustainability of the project outputs.
Conduct regular monitoring and evaluation assessments against project objectives.
Ensure accurate and timely reporting of activities (monthly, quarterly and final reports).
Support the Project Director & Country Program Manager in the development of new proposals.
Support the MHPSS sector in the improvement and further design of the technical sector on approved and appropriate MHPSS practices.

Staff Management

Line-manage the junior MHPSS staff within the assigned projects, including day-to-day management.
Facilitate regular meetings to assist information sharing between project staff, to ensure all staff members are aware of project objectives and current work plans and to provide the opportunity for feedback.
Provide coaching and technical supervision to staff to develop ownership for MHPSS activities for officers, assistants, and community workers as needed.
Assess the training needs of MHPSS staff and ensure together with the Project Director and Country Programs Manager that appropriate training is conducted.

Financial Management

Under the supervision of the Project Director, manage the MHPSS budgets for the assigned project(s) and ensure all expenses are according to budget and meet the JRS standards about financial management, including accountability and good governance

Communication and Coordination

Develop and maintain appropriate, regular, transparent, and supportive communication structures with the broader JRS Program team and other relevant stakeholders (e.g., participants, community leaders, local and national government officials, UN agencies and other NGOs), to ensure good cooperation and partnerships.
Participate in Protection, MHPSS TWG, and other coordination or working group meetings as appropriate and as assigned by the Project Director and Country Programs Manager, as well as in JRS internal trainings representing JRS and feeding back to the Project Director on relevant issues.

Logistics

Liaise, as necessary, with the logistics and finance staff to ensure items are procured, transported, stored, managed and accounted for correctly.

Quality Management

Ensure MHPSS projects are implemented in line with donor proposals and requirements and in accordance with JRS, donor, country and international standards i.e. Sphere, CHS and IASC guidelines.
Promote and use the JRS operating procedures, ensuring that all standardised formats are used, and guidelines are followed.
Conduct regular field visits to assess quality of activities and to meet with and coordinate with local authorities and organisations.

Person Specification – Essential Requirements

(E) Qualification

Degree qualification in a related field e.g. social work, psychology, counselling, or related field
The candidate will be a mental health professional (psychologist, social worker, psychiatrist, or psychiatric nurse) with experience in MHPSS program coordination
4 years of relevant and progressive experience working in mental health related field in a International NGO, including minimum of 2 years of professional experience coordinating MHPSS projects in humanitarian settings or working with refugees.
Proven experience and skills in project management is required.
Therapy community development, child protection, or related field. Practical working experience preferably in a safe house, or schools is an advantage.

(E) Experience

Proven experience in managing people/teams.
Experience in working in the field of Sexual and gender-based violence women empowerment, and child protection
Demonstrated experience and commitment to working with marginalized and vulnerable communities and ability to work in an environment of relief emergency operation
Strong and practical skills in peacebuilding and conflict resolution
Good knowledge of MS word/Office.
Able to communicate orally and in writing in Swahili and English.
Ability to build effective partnerships and collaborate with other team members.
Ability to work sensitively with vulnerable and refugee populations of different ethnic backgrounds
Certificate of good conduct (police clearance) will be required

(E) Skills

Very good listening abilities and communication/interpersonal skills;
Patience, perseverance and ability to work in a stressful environment
Proactive and self-motivated
Ability to mentor young children
Be able to endure basic living and working conditions for a duration of time
Be able to take initiative and work without supervision
Be open-minded, have self-respect, respect the beneficiaries and the community with whom JRS works
Adhere to the internal rules especially time for work, JRS Staff Code of Conduct, and security rules.

(E) Qualities

Good understanding of and compatibility with the values of JRS;
Commitment to JRS’s mission, vision and values; the ability to convey with enthusiasm JRS’s role in accompanying and serving forcibly displaced people and to advocate for their right to protection and a life in dignity.
High integrity, honesty and confidentiality; ability to deal tactfully and discreetly with people, situations and information.
Acceptance of diversity and inclusion as a core value;

(E) Other Particulars

This position may require frequent travel to Kakuma field office
Due to the nature of work, mature Male Candidates are highly encouraged to apply
This is a national position, and only Kenyan applicants will be considered
This is a very urgent position that need to be filled immediately

(E) Salary range