MHPSS Programme Analyst - NOA - TA - based in Mekelle

Job Description

Duration: 364 days(*)

Post Type: Temporary Appointment

Please note that this vacancy is open to internal/external national of Ethiopia.

The Position:

The Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Analyst is responsible for providing technical and programmatic inputs to the planning, conceptualization, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the integration and strengthening of mental health and psychosocial support components  in the sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and gender-based violence (GBV) initiatives of the Country Office in the field. You will maintain collaborative relationships with the government, non-government organizations, civil society, multi-lateral and bilateral donor agencies, co-United Nations agencies, programmes and specialized agencies and other development organizations. You will report directly to the GBV Programme Specialist and coordinates with the Head of Office.

How the MHPSS Programme Analyst can make a difference:

UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled.  UNFPA’s new strategic plan (2022-2025), focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices.

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in Programme results.

Job Purpose:

The Mental Health Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Programme Analyst is located in Mekelle field office with frequent travel to IDP sites and host communities. Under the direct supervision of the GBV Programme Specialist, the MHPSS Programme Analyst will support UNFPA Ethiopia in implementing an integrated MHPSS response into GBV and SRH activities included in the Emergency response plan developed by Country office to meet the needs of women and girls affected by ongoing conflict in Tigray Region. S/he leads the implementing partners and collaborates with the CO’s operations/administrative support staff.

Main Tasks & Responsibilities

Major Activities / Expected Results:

• In collaboration with Government counterparts, NGOs, and other partners, the MHPSS Officer participates in the formulation and design of the country programme and its component projects in line with Government priorities and according to UNFPA programme policies and procedures. Supports the achievement of programme results by ensuring appropriate policies and procedures are applied by programme team, and appropriate monitoring and oversight mechanisms and systems are established and implemented.
• Reviews the GBV response and prevention interventions to crisis affected populations to ensure that all interventions are in line with the UNPFA MHPSS Policy and Framework, including the IASC Guidelines for Integrating GBV Interventions in Humanitarian Settings, IASC Guidelines for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings and other international standards. Assesses implications of new policy developments and strategies on programme execution and pursues opportunities for UNFPA assistance and intervention.
• Support project implementation, establishing collaborative partnerships with executing agencies, experts, government counterparts and other UN agencies to facilitate timely and efficient delivery of project inputs, and addressing training needs of project personnel.
• Provide ongoing support to capacity building activities to UNFPA staff, implementing partners, including Government counterparts and health responders, in providing quality psychological first aid responses and/or focused non-specialized psychosocial support for GBV survivors and/or women displaying extreme signs of distress/ urgent psychosocial needs. Contributes to the development of training and supervision plan and tools, delivers training sessions, and maintain intensive follow-up/coaching to ensure skill development and application among PSS counsellors, GBV caseworkers and case managers and SRH staff.
• Participates in advocacy and resource mobilization efforts of Country Office by contributing to the development of appropriate Information Education Communication (IEC) material to support the training and programme implementation for MHPSS awareness, contribute to reviewing existing IEC materials to ensure that MHPSS aspects are included in SRH IEC and GBV response and prevention messaging, and participating in related donor meetings and public information events.
• Prepare monthly work plans and regular progress reports and contribute to weekly SitReps as required.

MHPSS Programme Analyst would be responsible for the following:-     

Detailed Activities and Outputs:

• Support the ongoing development of MHPSS tools which specifically addresses and supports PSS, GBV, and SRH workers who are providing a direct response to ensure compliance with minimum standards.
• Provide technical updates and training to UNFPA staff and partners in relevant technical areas related to GBV, particularly the MHPSS component.
• Prepares and submits monthly work plans and reports.
• Contribute to contribute to the development of proposals bringing its field knowledge and engaging in other resource mobilization efforts to support joint programming.
• Document training and supervision using tracking tools designed in collaboration with UNFPA M&E Specialists. Create record of case workers’ progress. Report on effectiveness of training materials and process and take steps to assess and address gaps through iterative improvements to training protocols.
• Assist the MHPSS Specialist in reviewing the monitoring tools for MHPSS interventions to support quality programming in compliance with international standards. Conduct monitoring and provide reports on compliance and challenges.
• Actively participate in multi-sectoral GBV and MHPSS coordination groups at national and local levels as necessary.
• Contribute MHPSS perspective and inputs for reporting and assessments undertaken by UNFPA partners or jointly with other organizations.
• Identify range of MHPSS services available for inclusion in GBV referral pathways at UNFPA- sponsored locations and determine protocol for triage and referral to these services.
• Support in that MHPSS specialized services do integrate a survivor centered approach and meet quality standards to do no harm the MHPSS well-being of women and girls.
• Participate in sub-working groups for special GBV-related issues with UN agencies and INGOs as required.
• Participate in sub-working groups for special SRH-related issues with UN agencies and INGOs as required.
• Develop training, mentoring and a supervision plan to equip PSS, GBV and SRH workers to deliver tailored supports that address common psychosocial support needs to both long standing and acute trauma and violence. Deliver training sessions and maintain intensive follow-up/coaching to ensure skill development and application.
• Support in the development of training materials tailored to the MHPSS interventions designed for the GBV response and prevention intervention and translated in collaboration with implementing partners.
• Provide ongoing support to capacity building activities to implementing partners, including Government counterparts and health responders, in providing quality psychological first aid and multi-layered responses for survivors of GBV or and/or women displaying extreme signs of distress/ urgent psychosocial needs
• Support ongoing monitoring of PSS activities to ensure clear guidelines regarding objectives and evaluation.
• Monitor and support UNFPA and partner staff to sustain PSS services and activities’ quality through structured supervision.
• Analyse results of skill assessments to identify capacity development needs of PSS, GBV and SRH staff in the basic MHPSS skillset.
• Support ongoing self-care sessions of UNFPA staff and IP case workers and social welfare officers, facilitated by IP case managers and PSS teams.
• Contribute to the development of appropriate Information Education Communication (IEC) material to support the training and programme implementation for MH awareness and review existing IEC materials to ensure that MHPSS aspects are included in SRH IEC and GBV response and prevention messaging.
• Support the ongoing capacity development of UNFPA staff to respond to emergency/humanitarian crisis with awareness of MHPSS needs, referral options, and interventions.
• Contribute to the development of work plans from approved project proposal packages.
• Submit all the weekly Sitreps and required program reports in a timely manner. 

UNFPA Work Environment

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, teamwork, Embracing diversity in all its forms, integrity and a healthy balance of work and life. We are committed to maintaining our balanced gender distribution and therefore encourage women to apply. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities for all including persons with disabilities.             

Compensation and Benefits

This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary and other benefits as applicable.

Disclaimer

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Fraudulent notices, letters or offers may be submitted to the UNFPA fraud hotline ttp://www.unfpa.org/help/hotline.cfm

In accordance with the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations, persons applying to posts in the international Professional category, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.

Job Requirement

Qualifications and Experience

Education:

• University Degree in Public Health, Medicine, Health Sciences, Gender Studies, Psychology or related Social Sciences, or other related behavioral/social science fields with at least one (1) year of relevant experience;
• Or Advanced degree in Public Health, Psychology, Mental Health, Gender Studies, Social Sciences with at least two years of relevant experience;

Experience and Knowledge:

• At least two years’ professional experience in the field of mental health and psychosocial support in emergencies activities, with experience in team and programme/ project management.  Formal trainings in protection and MHPSS.
• Demonstrated experience in programme/project planning design, follow up, monitoring and evaluation.
• Substantive experience with programming and implementing MHPSS initiatives;
• Strong results-based management skills;
• Knowledge and experience working with the United Nations system would be an advantage; Field experience in complex emergencies, including humanitarian emergency response.

Languages:

• Proficiency in English required. Knowledge in other UN languages an asset.

Required Competencies

Values:

• Exemplifying integrity
• Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system
• Embracing diversity in all its forms
• Embracing change

Core Competencies:

• Achieving Results 
• Being Accountable
• Developing and Applying Professional Expertise/Business Acumen
• Thinking analytically and strategically
• Working in Teams/Managing Ourselves and our Relationships
• Communicating for Impact

Functional Competencies:

• Business acumen

• Implementing management systems
• Innovation and marketing of new approaches
• Generating, managing and promoting the use of knowledge and    information;
• Facilitating quality programmatic results
• Leveraging the resources of national governments and partners, and building strategic alliances and partnerships
• Client orientation