Mission Specific Considerations

Physical deployments 

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?	Yes Required
Visa Are there any special/new, specific visa considerations that need to be considered?	No
Equipment Is there any equipment that the Surge should become equipped with prior to travel, e.g. PPE such as masks, gloves, sanitizer, etc?	Yes Office will provide
Is there any other paperwork that the local government authorities require upon entry/re-entry into the country?	No
On mission considerations (for physical deployments):
Accommodation What type of accommodation is available for Surge deployees?	Apartment and Hotels in the green area validated by UNDSS
R&R Is the duty station on an R&R cycle and if so how often?	Yes R&R cycle of 8 weeks
Medical Treatment Are there any government restrictions or limitations that would adversely impact in-country medical treatment plans or medical evacuation?	No
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 office will provide

 
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 for supporting the integration of MHPSS into GBViE and SRHiE programming; orienting 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 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 PSS interventions within the scope of SRH and GBV, staff knowledge, and skills among UNFPA and GBV Sub-Sector partners.
2. Lead the design of standard and contextualized 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.
3. 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.  Design and develop IEC material to support the implementation of MHPSS interventions within the scope of SRH and GBV interventions.
5. Develop monitoring tools to ensure MHPSS interventions are carried out in compliance with international guidelines and best practices.
6. Participate in MHPSS coordination to ensure GBV and SRH-related MHPSS is addressed and maintain linkage between the MHPSS Working Group and GBV Sub-Sector to support information sharing and skills transfer.

 Capacity Development

• Design a capacity gap assessment for UNFPA IPs implementing MHPSS interventions and develop a capacity-building plan for the    actors, to provide quality integrated MHPSS in emergency programming that is in line with ‘the Guidance to support the MHPSS wellbeing of SRH and GBV service users’ and ‘MHPSS Minimum Service Package.’
• Develop/adapt training material tailored to address identified capacity gaps in integrating MHPSS interventions for the GBV and SRH.
• Analyze results of monitoring visits and data to identify capacity development needs
• 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 Sub-Sector partners to respond to emergency/humanitarian crises with awareness of MHPSS needs, referral options, and interventions. 
•  Promote the linkage of MHPSS TWG and GBV Sub-Sector and support the GBV subsector partners to ensure sustainable MHPSS quality through structuring supervision and review mechanisms.
• Closely collaborate with the National MHPSS focal person providing coaching and knowledge transfer on the UNFPA’s MHPSS integration in GBV and SRH programming while promoting community-based interventions that prevent and promote the well-being of affected population and not focusing on higher level mental health or specialized interventions as per UNFPA’s global recommendations.

 Partnerships and Coordination

• Actively participate in and support the inter-agency, multi-sectoral GBV, SRH WG, and MHPSS coordination groups.
• Contribute MHPSS perspective and inputs in assessments, planning, and reporting undertaken by GBV Sub-Sector partners, SRH working group, 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.

 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 the effectiveness of training materials and processes, and assess and address gaps through iterative improvements to training protocols.
• Lead 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 to UNFPA’s IPs implementing MHPSS 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, 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 Sit Reps as required.

 Technical leadership

• Provide technical assistance and capacity development on MHPSS competencies to support UNFPA SRH and GBV staff, implementing partners and GBV Sub-Sector partners.
• Support the development of MHPSS and GBV IEC materials which specifically address and support caseworkers providing a direct response 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.
• Contribute to resource mobilization by identifying MHPSS opportunities when developing proposals, including ensuring that MHPSS interventions are budgeted for and aligned to the MHPSS Minimum Service Package

 
Qualifications and Skills Required

• Master’s degree with a specialization in psychology, mental health, or a 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 in 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. Another UN language is a serious advantage.