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UNFPA-IA MHPSS Specialist-P3/P4-Bamako, Mali
Bamako, MaliPosition Title: IA MHPSS Specialist
Receiving Agency: UNFPA
P Level: P3/P4
Location: Bamako, Mali
Duration: 6 months
Language: French and English required
Key Profile Information: The GBV Sub-Sector works alongside the Child Protection Sub-Sector (led by UNICEF) within the Protection Sector (led by UNHCR) and has strong linkages with the SRH working group (often led by UNFPA) under the Health Cluster (led by WHO). The Sub-Sector also works with other humanitarian sectors within the Inter-Sector Coordination Group (ISCG). The Sub-Sector coordinates the GBV prevention and response through strengthening community-based GBV programming. These include ensuring access to quality multi-sector GBV response services for survivors, building the capacity of GBV service providers and other stakeholders in order to deliver quality care in line with best practices and minimum standards for humanitarian settings, and enabling active participation of affected communities in GBV awareness-raising, response, prevention and risk mitigation.
Main Tasks and Responsibilities
Under the overall supervision of the UNFPA CO Representative and/or the Head of Office, 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for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings, the MHPSS Minimum Service Package and UNFPA MHPSS draft guidance.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:
1. Assess the current MHPSS interventions within the scope of SRH and GBV, staff knowledge and skills among UNFPA and GBV Sub-Sector partners.
2. Lead the strengthening of MHPSS through GBV case management by develop a training, mentoring and supervision plan to equip GBV caseworkers and case managers to deliver specialized interventions that address common psychosocial reactions to trauma and abuse, including suicide, bereavement, and depression. Deliver training sessions and develop follow up/coaching plans for the partners to ensure skill development and application.
4. Support the integration of MHPSS in SRH programming by facilitating inter-agency level training on PFA and basic psychosocial skills to develop the ability of health staff and community mobilisers to recognize and respond appropriately to MHPSS needs.
5. Design and develop IEC material as needed to complement and/or adjust existing materials to support implementation of MHPSS interventions within the scope of SRH and GBV interventions in the context of Mali.
6. Supervise the development and field testing of field manuals and guidance materials ensuring they are aligned with the MHPSS Minimum Service Package.
7. Develop monitoring tools to ensure MHPSS integration is in compliance with international guidelines and best practices.
8. Participate in MHPSS coordination to ensure GBV and SRH related MHPSS is addressed and maintain linkage between MHPSS Working Group and GBV Sub-Sector to support information sharing and skills transfer.
Capacity Development
CANADEM and its partners have a no-tolerance policy for inaction to prevent, respond to and follow up on alleged cases of 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.
Receiving Agency: UNFPA
P Level: P3/P4
Location: Bamako, Mali
Duration: 6 months
Language: French and English required
Background Description of Emergency / Justification for Request (Please provide a short paragraph outlining the prevailing humanitarian situation and context and why this justifies the role.)
Faced with a multidimensional crisis since 2012, Mali is going through one of the most difficult periods of this crisis. The security situation in Mali is extremely volatile and increasing numbers of people are continually attacked and/or displaced across the country in unpredictable patterns reaching 377,519 IDPs to date. The deterioration of relations between Mali and armed groups and various other partners has resulted in a sharp increase in insecurity across the country. This has resulted in serious human rights violations and other acts of terrorism, including the complete decimation of several villages and their inhabitants. These acts of terror have created fear among the populations of these areas, as well as among the few state agents (health and protection agents) who were still present in these areas, as well as led to a significant increase in gender-based violence and health concerns.
Security Situation Summary in country and main threats: (i.e. armed conflict, terrorism, crime, social unrest, hazard)
Mali has been facing an acute economic, political and security crisis since 2012. Inter and intra-ethnic conflicts, the presence of non-state armed groups and terrorist attacks have all accrued instability, most notably in the North and Center of the country, but increasingly in the South as well. UN staff safety, security, access, and humanitarian needs continue to be a key concern especially in light of the MINUSMA withdrawal.
Faced with a multidimensional crisis since 2012, Mali is going through one of the most difficult periods of this crisis. The security situation in Mali is extremely volatile and increasing numbers of people are continually attacked and/or displaced across the country in unpredictable patterns reaching 377,519 IDPs to date. The deterioration of relations between Mali and armed groups and various other partners has resulted in a sharp increase in insecurity across the country. This has resulted in serious human rights violations and other acts of terrorism, including the complete decimation of several villages and their inhabitants. These acts of terror have created fear among the populations of these areas, as well as among the few state agents (health and protection agents) who were still present in these areas, as well as led to a significant increase in gender-based violence and health concerns.
Security Situation Summary in country and main threats: (i.e. armed conflict, terrorism, crime, social unrest, hazard)
Mali has been facing an acute economic, political and security crisis since 2012. Inter and intra-ethnic conflicts, the presence of non-state armed groups and terrorist attacks have all accrued instability, most notably in the North and Center of the country, but increasingly in the South as well. UN staff safety, security, access, and humanitarian needs continue to be a key concern especially in light of the MINUSMA withdrawal.
Key Profile Information: The GBV Sub-Sector works alongside the Child Protection Sub-Sector (led by UNICEF) within the Protection Sector (led by UNHCR) and has strong linkages with the SRH working group (often led by UNFPA) under the Health Cluster (led by WHO). The Sub-Sector also works with other humanitarian sectors within the Inter-Sector Coordination Group (ISCG). The Sub-Sector coordinates the GBV prevention and response through strengthening community-based GBV programming. These include ensuring access to quality multi-sector GBV response services for survivors, building the capacity of GBV service providers and other stakeholders in order to deliver quality care in line with best practices and minimum standards for humanitarian settings, and enabling active participation of affected communities in GBV awareness-raising, response, prevention and risk mitigation.
Main Tasks and Responsibilities
Under the overall supervision of the UNFPA CO Representative and/or the Head of Office, 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, the 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:
1. Assess the current MHPSS interventions within the scope of SRH and GBV, staff knowledge and skills among UNFPA and GBV Sub-Sector partners.
2. Lead the strengthening of MHPSS through GBV case management by develop a training, mentoring and supervision plan to equip GBV caseworkers and case managers to deliver specialized interventions that address common psychosocial reactions to trauma and abuse, including suicide, bereavement, and depression. Deliver training sessions and develop follow up/coaching plans for the partners to ensure skill development and application.
4. Support the integration of MHPSS in SRH programming by facilitating inter-agency level training on PFA and basic psychosocial skills to develop the ability of health staff and community mobilisers to recognize and respond appropriately to MHPSS needs.
5. Design and develop IEC material as needed to complement and/or adjust existing materials to support implementation of MHPSS interventions within the scope of SRH and GBV interventions in the context of Mali.
6. Supervise the development and field testing of field manuals and guidance materials ensuring they are aligned with the MHPSS Minimum Service Package.
7. Develop monitoring tools to ensure MHPSS integration is in compliance with international guidelines and best practices.
8. Participate in MHPSS coordination to ensure GBV and SRH related MHPSS is addressed and maintain linkage between MHPSS Working Group and GBV Sub-Sector to support information sharing and skills transfer.
Capacity Development
- Develop/adapt training material tailored to support MHPSS integration and strengthening into GBV and SRH programming.
- 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.
- Analyze results of monitoring visits and data to identify capacity development needs and provide recommendations to adjust programming.
- Develop appropriate IEC material to support MHPSS integration and strengthening , 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 Sub-Sector partners to respond to emergency/humanitarian crisis with awareness of MHPSS needs, referral options, and programme interventions.
- Prepare GBV Sub-Sector partners to ensure sustainable MHPSS quality interventions through structuring supervision and review mechanisms.
- Actively participate in and support the inter-agency, multi-sectoral GBV and MHPSS coordination groups.
- Contribute MHPSS perspective and inputs in assessments, planning and reporting undertaken by GBV Sub-Sector partners and other relevant interagency initiatives.
- Identify a range of MHPSS services available for inclusion in GBV and SRH referral pathways, determine protocols for triage and referral to these services and propose appropriate needs-based referral mechanisms that are effective in addressing specific issues.
- 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.
- Conduct a review of GBV response and prevention interventions to crisis-affected populations to ensure that all interventions are in line with guiding principles, including the IASC Guidelines for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings, the MHPSS Minimum Service Package; IASC Guidelines for Integrating GBV Interventions in Humanitarian Settings, Interagency GBV Case Management Guidelines and other international standards.
- Produce inputs to regular progress reports and SitReps as required.
- Provide technical assistance and capacity development support to UNFPA SRH and GBV staff and GBV Sub-Sector partners.
- Supervise the development of MHPSS and GBV IEC materials which specifically address and support caseworkers providing a direct response in order to ensure compliance with minimum standards.
- Provide technical updates and training to GBV partners in relevant technical areas related to the MHPSS component of the GBV response.
- Master’s degree with specialization in 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 French and English. Another UN language is a serious advantage.
CANADEM and its partners have a no-tolerance policy for inaction to prevent, respond to and follow up on alleged cases of 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.