Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Officer

Project HOPE is an international NGO with more than 1,000 engaged employees and volunteers who work around the globe, responding to the world’s most pressing global health challenges. Throughout our 60-year legacy, Project HOPE has treated millions of patients, provided more than $3 billion worth of medicines to local health care organizations around the world helped build hundreds of health programs from the ground up, and responded to humanitarian crises worldwide.

Code of Conduct

It is our shared responsibility and obligation to treat each other with respect, take affirmative steps to prevent matters involving Sexual Exploitation & Abuse and Trafficking in Persons, and to disclose all potential and actual violations of our Code of Conduct, which may include Conflicts of Interest, Fraud, Corruption, Discrimination or Harassment. Together we can reinforce a culture of respect, integrity, accountability, and transparency.

Program Summary:

Project HOPE is providing humanitarian assistance to the conflict-affected population in Gaza. The current response portfolio focuses on Health, Mental Health, Protection, and WASH programming through Project HOPE programs and local partnerships.

This position will be based in Gaza. Local Nationals Only.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Officer will support the provision of Mental Health support at Project HOPE clinics in Gaza. MHPSS officer will engage with PSS officers and Social Workers at locations within Gaza.

• On-the-ground implementation of mental health-related activities in the assigned areas.
• Carry out all activities related to social support services to individual patients/survivors and linking them via supervised referrals with other relevant government-provided support services and community organizations.
• Develop mental health outreach initiatives, conduct psychoeducation sessions and awareness-raising activities in the targeted communities.
• Ensure the quality of care and analyze statistics and deliver qualitative and quantitative reporting.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Officer will implement, monitor and report on all activities related to MHPPS and Sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) defined in the BHA-funded Protection strategy in locations assigned, insuring quality of care aligned with Project Hope standards and the IASC guidelines for MHPSS intervention in humanitarian setting meaning:

• Coordinate and ensure that Mental Health activities (in and outside health facilities), with the clients are performed with regular follow-up in order to provide the most appropriate treatment for clients with psychosocial problems.
• Support the development of in-house guidance and SOPs on case management services, referral pathway procedures, and other protection-related activities.
• Map and regularly update existing Mental Health and SGBV services in the operational areas in order to facilitate both program coordination and development of appropriate pathways. This includes developing relationships with other INGO’s, local NGO’s, community groups and governmental health services.
• Collect disaggregated data associated with Project HOPE’s MHPSS and SGBV work, drafting report language and support development of monthly reports according to donor requirements and intern guidelines.
• Under the guidance of the MHPSS Team Lead and within the scope of practice allowed for non-medical personnel, ensure that patients receive proper support in their treatment either directly within a Project HOPE managed program or through referral to an appropriate resource.
• Work with psychologists and other MHPSS community actors to organize support groups in identified Social Centers and IDP sites to ensure ongoing assessment of psychosocial, socio-economic, and administrative needs for patients, provide them with psychological first aid, self-care guidance, and relevant referral information.
• Maintain a network of and cooperating closely with relevant medical facilities, local and regional officials, institutions, NGOs and indicating possible local actors or local NGOs which could be involved in awareness activities at the local and regional levels.
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s Degree Social Work, Gender related studies, Psychosocial or Psychology studies or related area.
• Three years minimum in a similar social job; experience with other NGOs, desirable.
• Understanding of mental health and protection sector program design in humanitarian environments.
• Community experience working with vulnerable populations on psychosocial interventions.
• Experience in social services departments (NGOs, Governmental organizations).
• Psychosocial support techniques knowledge.
• Knowledge of and ability to develop/adapt and deliver MHPSS/SGBV trainings and curriculum.
• Strong interpersonal skills and commitment to humanitarian principles.
• Flexibility and Adaptability: Adapts to changes in work environment.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Teamwork and cooperation and can cope with stressful workload.
• Fluent knowledge of English and of local language (Arabic).
• Essential computer literacy (word, excel and internet).

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical demands:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee must be mobile in an office environment and able to use standard office equipment.
• Must be able to communicate in verbal and written form and must be able to travel.
• Project HOPE employees may be required to travel or work in countries where working conditions are classified as “hardship.”

Work environment:

• This position is based in Gaza. Given the current conflict conditions, candidate must be able to work in a rapidly changing environment.
• Emergency deployments may be in resource-deprived environments with austere living conditions.
• Travel for extended periods may be by air and/or other modes of transportation.
• Project HOPE employees may be required to travel or work in countries where working conditions are classified as “hardship.”

Due to the substantial number of inquiries, we receive, only candidates who have met the required experience & qualifications for this position will be considered. No phone calls please.

However, since we are active around the world in the field of public health, we may wish to retain your CV in our database for other/future opportunities, unless you direct us otherwise.

Thank you very much for your interest in Project HOPE.