Position Title: Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Specialist
Receiving Agency: UNFPA
P Level: P3
Location: Bucharest, Romania (with travel within the refugee response area)
Duration: 5 months
Language: English is required. Fluency in Ukrainian, Russian, Polish, Slovak, Romanian or another Slavic language is highly desirable. 

Physical deployments (only fill out if you anticipate surge to physically deploy)

Pre-departure considerations for physical deployments
Does this duty station require candidates to have undertaken SSAFE training? If so, can the office provide training upon arrival?	SSAFE training is recommended as it is mandatory in case of travel to Ukraine. The UNFPA Regional Office (RO) will provide training upon candidate’s arrival.
Visa Are there any special/new, specific visa considerations that need to be considered?	This role requires frequent travel through EU countries and therefore would require a candidate who either has a Schengen visa or can quickly receive one.
On mission considerations (for physical deployments):
Accommodation What type of accommodation is available for Surge deployees?	UNFPA can assist the incumbent in finding affordable and secure accommodation
R&R Is the duty station on an R&R cycle and if so how often? Please provide any details that have changed because of COVID-19	N/A
Medical Treatment Are there any government restrictions or limitations that would adversely impact in-country medical treatment plans or medical evacuation?	N/A
What is the capacity of local facilities that can be used to treat and/or stabilize those affected by COVID-19?	Under normal conditions, the medical services available are of high quality, and health care services are available also in English throughout the country.
Office arrangement for telecommuting If the Surge needs to telecommute within the country, can the country office demonstrate that the deployee is realistically able to work in terms of remote connectivity, equipment, etc.?	Yes
Equipment If the Surge is required to physically deploy, can the country office provide necessary equipment, e.g. computer, phone, masks, gloves, sanitizer?	No

The war in Ukraine has triggered one of the fastest-growing refugee emergencies in history, and the largest since World War II in Europe. The escalation of the conflict has caused civilian casualties, destruction of civilian infrastructures, including health facilities and maternities, disruption of Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) services and supply chain, and led to an increase in Gender Based Violence (GBV) including Conflict-Related Sexual Violence (CRSV).
One year into the conflict, support is still needed to the UNFPA country offices and implementing partners in Ukraine, Moldova and Belarus, and stakeholders and local CSOs in refugee-receiving countries, in response to the war. UNFPA’s Regional Office for Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECARO), based in Istanbul, is called to play a bigger role in the humanitarian response and has established a humanitarian team under EECARO’s leadership and management. The main objectives are to coordinate and provide tailored technical and operational support with a focus on UNFPA mandated areas of responsibility for GBV and SRH, as well as humanitarian coordination with UN agencies at both the national and regional levels.
This regional humanitarian team is composed of several specialists, including Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH), Gender Based Violence (GBV) in Emergencies, Communications, and Information Management, under the overall leadership of EECARO Regional Director and the supervision of EECARO Regional Humanitarian Coordinator (RHC). The unit may later be strengthened with other profiles based on the evolving context, needs and capacity. 

Key Profile Information: UNFPA requires a Roving Mental Health and Psycho-Social Support (MHPSS) Specialist – EU Countries to coordinate and provide tailored technical, operational support and practical solutions to ensure integration of MHPSS into Gender-Based Violence in Emergencies (GBViE) and Sexual and Reproductive Health in Emergencies (SRHiE) programmatic and coordination matters to UNFPA partners and country offices in the countries affected by the Ukraine crisis, with a special focus on Poland, Romania and Slovakia. Other humanitarian situations within the UNFPA covered Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA) countries may also require support from the Regional Office for other emergency responses, preparedness planning, and/or capacity building to which the Roving MHPSS Specialist will also be available.

Main Tasks and Responsibilities
Under the overall supervision of the Regional Humanitarian Coordinator and the direct supervision of the regional GBViE specialist, the MHPSS specialist will be responsible to support the integration of MHPSS into GBViE and SRHiE programming; to orient SRH and GBV colleagues and partners on MHPSS related issues; to support the GBV Sub-Sector in strengthening the capacity of the GBV partners, particularly the staff of GBV response service providers, in order to deliver services in compliance with IASC Guidelines for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings, MHPSS Minimum Service Package and UNFPA MHPSS draft guidance. The incumbent will also assist in establishing relevant partnerships with other stakeholders.  
These activities will include the following:
Programme Development and Implementation

• Assess the current PSS interventions within the scope of SRH and GBV, staff knowledge and skills among UNFPA. IPs and Coordination mechanisms.
• Lead the design of standard and contextual inter-agency MHPSS interventions for GBV and SRH partners, including consideration of a cognitive behavior-based or common elements support approach tailored to staff without formal MHPSS qualifications.
• Support strengthening or integration of MHPSS approaches and interventions into different components of GBV and SRH programmes and ensure alignment with the UNFPA MHPSS approach.
• Design and develop Information, Education and Communication (IEC) material to support implementation of MHPSS interventions within the scope of SRH and GBV interventions.
• Develop monitoring tools to ensure MHPSS interventions are carried out in compliance with international guidelines and best practices.

Capacity Development

• Support and facilitate capacity building initiatives to GBV and Health responders, on Psychological First Aid (PFA) and other psychosocial interventions to develop the ability of health staff and community workers, to recognize and respond appropriately to MHPSS needs.
• Provide capacity building to implementing partners, including GBV and Health responders, in good practices (quality of communication, respect, privacy….) to reduce negative psychological impact, and in providing quality psychosocial first aid responses for survivors of GBV and other psychologically distressing GBV/SRH situations.
• Develop appropriate IEC material to support the training and program implementation for MHPSS interventions and review existing IEC materials to ensure that MHPSS aspects are included in health and GBV response and prevention messaging.
• Support the capacity development of UNFPA and GBV WGs partners to respond to emergency/humanitarian crises with awareness of MHPSS needs, referral options, and interventions. 
• Provide technical assistance and capacity development support to UNFPA SRH and GBV staff and GBV/SRH Sub-Sector WG partners.

 Partnerships and Coordination

• Participate/support in MHPSS coordination mechanisms to ensure MHPSS is addressed and maintain linkage between MHPSS Working Group and SRH and GBV Working groups to advocate and mainstream the MHPSS integration into the existing GBV and SRH programmes.
• Contribute with MHPSS perspective and inputs in assessments, planning and reporting undertaken by GBV Sub-Sector partners and other relevant interagency initiatives.
• Work with UNFPA MHPSS focal points, implementing partners and other relevant stakeholders to strengthen referral pathways for GBV survivors, guaranteeing a survivor centred approach and ethical data management protocols.
• Coordinate with the work done at the Humanitarian Response Division level on the harmonisation of the MHPSS integration into GBV and SRH in emergencies programming.

 Monitoring and Reporting

• Document training and supervision using tracking tools designed in collaboration with the GBV and SRH sectors. Create records of participants’ progress.  Report on effectiveness of training materials and process and assess and address gaps through iterative improvements to training protocols.
• Supervise the development of monitoring tools for MHPSS interventions within the scope of GBV and SRH, to support quality programming in compliance with international standards.  Conduct monitoring visits and provide reports on compliance and challenges.
• Produce inputs to regular progress reports and Sit Reps as required.

 
Qualifications and Skills Required

• Advanced degree with specialization in clinical psychology, mental health, or related area.

• At least 5 years of specialized experience in psychosocial support interventions particularly as it relates to GBV.
• Experience in GBV/MHPSS at an international level in a humanitarian context.
• Demonstrated knowledge of IASC Guidelines on MHPSS in Emergency Settings.
• Demonstrated experience of training, supervision, and mentoring of non-professional counseling staff.
• Ability to work within a team structure, maintain flexibility, and cope with a stressful workload.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work within different cultural environments.
• Strong knowledge of humanitarian coordination mechanisms; and strong cultural awareness and sensitivity.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English. Fluency in Ukrainian, Russian, Polish, Slovak, Romanian or another Slavic language is highly desirable.

CANADEM and its partners have a no-tolerance policy towards Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (SEAH). For this reason, we adhere to all policies, procedures and training of the United Nations on The Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (PSEAH). CANADEM mandates all deployees successfully complete the PSEA online course. This e-learning course is composed of a set of lessons designed to raise awareness about SEAH, become familiar with a range of measures to combat SEAH, understand the impact on victims and the consequences for UN Personnel who commit Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment.