MHPSS Program Coordinator (P4) Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo

Position Title: MHPSS Program Coordinator

Duty Station: Kinshasa, Congo, Democratic Republic of the

Classification: Professional Staff, Grade P4

Type of Appointment: Fixed term, one year with possibility of extension

Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible

Closing Date: 10 July 2024

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations, and as the leading UN agency in the field of migration, works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.

IOM is committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment. Read more about diversity and inclusion at IOM at www.iom.int/diversity.

Applications are welcome from first- and second-tier candidates, particularly qualified female candidates as well as applications from the non-represented member countries of IOM. For all IOM vacancies, applications from qualified and eligible first-tier candidates are considered before those of qualified and eligible second-tier candidates in the selection process.

For the purpose of this vacancy, the following are considered first-tier candidates:

1. Internal candidates
2. External female candidates:
3. Candidate from the following non-represented member states:

Antigua and Barbuda; Barbados; Botswana; Cabo Verde; Comoros; Congo (the); Cook Islands; Fiji; Guinea-Bissau; Holy See; Iceland; Kiribati; Lao People’s Democratic Republic (the); Madagascar; Marshall Islands; Micronesia (Federated States of); Namibia; Nauru; Palau; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Samoa; Sao Tome and Principe; Solomon Islands; Suriname; The Bahamas; Tonga; Tuvalu; Vanuatu

Second tier candidates include:

All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states of IOM and female candidates.

Context:

Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Mission, the direct supervision of the Migration Health Programme Coordinator in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and the technical supervision of Head, Mental Health, Psychosocial Support and Intercultural Communication Unit at IOM HQ in Geneva, and in close cooperation with the Head of Stabilization, Transition and Recovery and Head of Operations in DRC, the MHPSS Program Coordinator will direct IOM’s country strategy, policy and program development in the field of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) for migrants, displaced and crisis affected populations, and in the field of intercultural communication in thematic areas of intervention (Migrant protection and assistance, migration health, and emergency and recovery, with particular reference to the five-year initiative (2024-2029) “Mental Health and Psychosocial Support for Peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo”, funded by the German Development Bank KFW under the mandate of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Policy and Strategy Formulation: Provide authoritative technical and programmatic advice and inputs for relevant Country Office level policies, strategies and programmatic frameworks in the migration health, operations and emergencies, migrant assistance and protection, and transition and recovery sectors, including:

a. Prepare timely position statements, presentations, strategic guidance, briefings and other documents and advice for the MHD Coordinator and CoM, and/or emergency coordinator/head of operations as well as Migration Health Division (MHD), and Transition and Recovery Division (TRD) at the mission level;

b. Supervise and ensure the inclusion of dedicated MHPSS chapters and components in key mission strategy, policy and position papers;

c. Monitor and assess relevant national policy, strategy and programmatic developments in relation to mental health, psychosocial response and intercultural communication needs of migrants and displaced populations, and advise senior management and the Global MHPSS Unit accordingly; and,

d. Establish, promote and strengthen communications and collaboration between Country Office and the respective Regional Office, the Global MHPSS Unit and emergency teams, MHD, TRD Teams/units in DRC on MHPSS matters.

2. External Liaison and Resource Mobilization: Direct the country mission’s efforts to advocate for and influence key partners and decision-makers on issues related to mental health and psychosocial wellbeing of migrants and crisis affected populations, including:

a. Represent IOM at the national and sub-national Inter-Agency Standing Committee Reference Group on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support or other existing coordination mechanisms;

b. Establish strong liaison with UN agencies, other intergovernmental agencies including ICRC and IFRC, and NGOs and NGO networks at Country and subnational level on MHPSS;

c. Liaise effectively with academic institutions and networks of national significance for MHPSS;

d. Develop the strategy for fund raising and resource mobilization for the activities and programs of the MHPSS sector at the country level; and,

e. Collaborate with the Senior management team to develop strategic programs that mainstream MHPSS within various thematic areas, ensuring synergy across projects and Units, in coordination with all project managers.

3. Technical Supervision, Management and Representation:

a. Substantively contribute to the development and implementation at Country level of IOM’s global guidance notes, indicators, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in relation to dedicated mental health and psychosocial support and intercultural communication policies, programs, activities and procedures;

b. Supervise proposal development and the preparation of narrative and financial donor reports submitted by the mission;

c. Provide direct technical supervision to all P, NO and G psychosocial experts, project officers, program officers at country level in coordination with the MH Coordinator;

d. Develop a sound MEAL framework, assessing, monitoring, synthesizing, interpreting and evaluating relevant IOM MHPSS data in the relevant country context;

e. Conceive, review, and oversee IOM research, assessments, evaluations and program-related publications and educational and documentary videos relevant to the MHPSS domain at a country level;

f. Identify, formulate and maintain strategic partnerships with academic institutions and research institutions;

g. Advocate for and promote the inclusion of MHPSS and migration subjects in relevant national conferences, academic courses and interagency events, either directly or by instructing other colleagues;

h. Lead and/or participate in relevant national expert groups; and,

i. Prepare technical and programmatic briefings, reports and presentations to national government, donors, Civil Society fora on various topics related to mental health, psychosocial and intercultural communication needs of migrant, displaced and conflict affected populations.

4. Capacity Building: Build the capacity of the IOM mission, and implementing partner organizations’ personnel in the relevant fields, based on global tools, including:

a. Develop and implement an MHPSS capacity building plan for the country level programme based on a capacity needs assessment;

b. Guide and advise on the inclusion of mental health and psychosocial components in IOM’s trainings for a variety of profiles including in MHD, PXD, DOE and TRD at country level;

c. Guide the elaboration of capacity building initiatives related to MHPSS and cultural integration of migrants, unaccompanied minors, victims of trafficking, crisis affected populations and in peace processes within IOM programs at country level;

d. Guide and advise on the inclusion of mental health and psychosocial components in IOM’s trainings for governmental counterparts; and,

e. Oversee and supervise all training and capacity building activities envisaged in the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support for Peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, including at master level.

5. Direct Management and Managerial Support:

a. Oversee the management of the mission’s MHPSS programmes with special focus on the KFW funded program, including supervision of staff, budget monitoring, training, and regular communications with partner agencies and government authorities;

b. Monitor financial reports and expenditures of all projects under thematic areas with special focus on the KFW funded program, in order to ensure consistent management and adequate burn rate to meet implementation milestones and deadlines;

c. Coordinate with resource management, HR team and Programme managers the recruitment, supervision and capacity building of MHPSS staff and consultants to ensure successful thematic activity implementation, with special focus on the KFW funded program;

d. Review donor and other reports before submission for consistency and accuracy and ensure proper information exchange on policy and operational aspects of the projects between IOM, donors and other stakeholders; elaborate general and/or specific information on programme activities as requested by donors/external parties, IOM DRC Mission, Regional Office, Headquarters and other relevant counterparts;

e. Develop appropriate monitoring tools to ensure effective implementation of projects and activities, including hosting of work seminars and visits to field locations as required; and,

f. Strategize resource mobilization, in coordination with ROs and CoMs for the various activities and maintain continuous relations and information sharing with donors.

6. Community Engagement and Social Cohesion through MHPSS Programming:

a. In coordination with the Global MHPSS Unit, keep abreast of policies, international standards and best practices relating to psychosocial support, conflict mediation and community stabilization and in particular the protection of vulnerable IDPs, victims of gender-based violence and trafficking for further enhancing various assistance programmes;

b. Develop and oversee strategies to bolster MHPSS integration in socioeconomic infrastructure at the community level, particularly in displacement and conflict-affected areas, ensuring inclusive community and government involvement in action planning;

c. Identify and supervise an effective programme strategy to facilitate access to services and more informed decision-making for IDPs, returnees and community-host members, ensuring that communication campaigns foster psychosocial support, social cohesion, mutual tolerance and peacebuilding initiatives; and,

d. Provide guidance and supervision to the conflict-sensitive community assessment on reintegration of ex-combatants, ensuring that the methodology will be under continuous adaptation based on a dynamic assessment of access and safety of IOM staff members, consultants, researchers and beneficiaries.

7. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in Psychiatry, or Psychology (Social, Community, Counselling or Clinical), Anthropology, Social Work, Humanities, or a related field from an accredited academic institution with seven years of relevant professional experience; or,
• University degree in the above fields with nine years of relevant professional experience.
• Certified attendance of IOM corporate or university partners run courses on MHPSS and population mobility a distinctive advantage.
• Chartered membership of a recognized clinical association a distinctive advantage.

Experience

• Teaching and training experience in the above-mentioned disciplines a distinctive advantage;• Experience in the area of mental health and psychosocial support in transition and recovery programming;
• Knowledge and demonstrated experience in implementation of community-based interventions in conflict and post-conflict environments;
• Sound experience of programme implementation, which includes management of administrative, HR and financial issues;
• Research experience is an advantage; and,
• Working experience in the region/country is an advantage.

Skills

• Delivers on set objectives in hardship situations;
• Effectively coordinates actions with other implementing partners;
• Works effectively with local authorities, stakeholders, beneficiaries, and the broader community to advance country office or regional objectives;
• Works effectively in high-pressure, rapidly changing environments;
• Coordinates actions with all the actors (emergency, recovery and development) and making use of coordination structures;
• Supports adequate levels of information sharing between internal units, cluster partners, IOM and other actors;
• Establishes and maintains effective relationships with implementing partners; and,
• Makes correct decisions rapidly based on available information.

Languages

IOM’s official languages are English, French, and Spanish. All staff members are required to be fluent in one of the three languages.

For this position, fluency in English and French is required (oral and written).

Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

Notes

Accredited Universities are the ones listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database (https://whed.net/home.php).

Required Competencies:

Values – all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these five values:

• Inclusion and respect for diversity: Respects and promotes individual and cultural differences. Encourages diversity and inclusion.
• Integrity and transparency: Maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.
• Professionalism: Demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.
• Courage: Demonstrates willingness to take a stand on issues of importance.
• Empathy: Shows compassion for others, makes people feel safe, respected and fairly treated.

Core Competencies – behavioural indicators level 3

• Teamwork: Develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.
• Delivering results: Produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner. Is action oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.
• Managing and sharing knowledge: Continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.
• Accountability: Takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own actions and delegated work.
• Communication: Encourages and contributes to clear and open communication. Explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.

Managerial Competencies – behavioural indicators level 3

• Leadership: Provides a clear sense of direction, leads by example and demonstrates the ability to carry out the Organization’s vision. Assists others to realize and develop their leadership and professional potential.
• Empowering others: Creates an enabling environment where staff can contribute their best and develop their potential.
• Building Trust: Promotes shared values and creates an atmosphere of trust and honesty.
• Strategic thinking and vision: Works strategically to realize the Organization’s goals and communicates a clear strategic direction.
• Humility: Leads with humility and shows openness to acknowledging own shortcomings.

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link.

https://www.iom.int/sites/default/files/about-iom/iom_revised_competency_framework_external.p df

Competencies will be assessed during a competency-based interview.

Other:

Internationally recruited professional staff are required to be mobile.

Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.

This selection process may be used to staff similar positions in various duty stations. Recommended candidates endorsed by the Appointments and Postings Board will remain eligible to be appointed in a similar position for a period of 24 months.

The list of NMS countries above includes all IOM Member States which are non-represented in the Professional Category of staff members. For this staff category, candidates who are nationals of the duty station’s country cannot be considered eligible.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and background verification and security clearances. Subject to certain exemptions, vaccination against COVID-19 will in principle be required for individuals hired on or after 15 November 2021. This will be verified as part of the medical clearance process.

Vacancies close at 23:59 local time Geneva, Switzerland on the respective closing date. No late applications will be accepted.