MHPSS Capacity Building Officer (for Nationals only)

POSITION SUMMARY

HIAS Ukraine is seeking to recruit a Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Capacity-building Officer to support the implementation of MHPSS emergency response activities in Ukraine to improve the local capacity of partners and stakeholders to provide appropriate MHPSS care and access to strengthened protective environments for conflict-affected individuals and communities. The position holder will be the main focal point for capacity-building activities such as discussions with partners, scheduling capacity-building activities (training sessions, on-the-job mentoring, technical assistance and supervision) and support the MHPSS implementation of HIAS staff and local partners in Ukraine. The position holder will also be expected to document daily service data, observations, and best practices of HIAS and implementing partners’ emergency MHPSS response activities to reinforce existing community systems and MHPSS within a multi-sectoral response system MHPSS programming. The MHPSS Capacity-building Officer will report to the MHPSS Coordinator.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Serve as the primary point of contact between HIAS and local partners in the inter-agency, multi-sectoral technical working groups and MHPSS services-related matters;
• Ensure community-based approaches are applied in MHPSS programming and communities are considered as key stakeholders;
• Provide ongoing technical support and MHPSS supervision to support partners’ MHPSS staff and HIAS MHPSS staff;
• Provide capacity building on MHPSS guidelines and standards, protection principles, Do No Harm approaches, and Core Humanitarian Standards training for HIAS staff, the staff of implementing partners, and key members of the community;
• Participate and contribute to the development of appropriate IASC material to support the training and program implementation for MHPSS interventions and review existing IASC materials to ensure that MHPSS aspects are included in health and protection response and prevention messaging;
• Coordinate with partners and local organizations to create linkages for refugees for the promotion of quality referral pathways, strengthening MHPSS services, and ensuring their integration of MHPSS concerns to different sectors;
• Provide inputs to regular progress reports as well as perform other activities as required;
• Ensure coordination and ensure timely support provision for local organizations to integrate basic PSS support and linkage into inter-sectoral referral pathways;
• Provide and facilitate trainings, mentoring and supervision regarding MHPSS interventions (psychoeducation, parenting skills for parents and caregivers, community-based activities, Self Help+, and others) for HIAS staff and implementing partners;
• Support local partners in providing culturally sensitive MHPSS support (both individual and group) to IDPs and local vulnerable population experiencing elevated distress, including caregivers, elderly, and gender-based violence survivors, and other vulnerable individuals, through the HIAS training package (PFA, MHPSS Basic Principles, Working with refugees and IDPs, Communication and Basic Helping Skills, Working with priority populations, Self-Care).

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS

• A degree in psychology, sociology, social work, anthropology, or a related subject ;
• Minimum of 2 years working in MHPSS programming; preference for candidates who have previous experience with direct service provision to vulnerable IDPs, refugee and migrant populations in an emergency setting;
• Demonstrated experience with operationalizing MHPSS Global standards and principles, including knowledge of IASC and other international humanitarian standards for MHPSS programming;
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality and respect for clients;
• Experience in capacity building, training and supervision, including facilitation of diversity and inclusion, community-based training, and awareness raising;
• Experience in implementing HIAS evidence-based protocols in Ukraine (Psychological First Aid trainings, Self Help+, Parenting Skills Intervention) and HIAS interventions (psychoeducation, community-based activities, individual counselling);
• Excellent organizational and problem-solving skills required;
• Responsible, Professional, and with Integrity;
• Ability to work with people from different cultural settings;
• Ability to work effectively with teams;
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills;
• Experience working with vulnerable populations, especially refugees or asylum seekers;
• Fluency in Ukrainian, preference to candidates with at least pre-intermediate level of English;
• Knowledge of Computers; Ms-Office, Email, and the Internet.

Deadline for the application submission: August 11, 2024 (23:59).

HIRING PROCESS:

We are committed to a fair and respectful hiring process, and we do our absolute best to respond to every applicant. We prioritize communication and transparency with all candidates, even those who are not moving forward. Here’s a snapshot of our hiring process:

Step 1: Submit your application!

Step 2: Phone screen with a HIAS recruiter.

Step 3: Video interview with the hiring manager.

Step 4: Video interview with a panel of HIAS employees.

Step 5: Online reference check with SkillSurvey.

Step 6: Offer and background check with Shield Screening.

Step 7: Start your professional journey with HIAS!

Note: Some of our hiring processes may vary, and not all candidates will advance to each step.

ABOUT US:

Over one hundred years ago, the Jewish community founded HIAS (originally the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society) in New York City, the immigrant gateway to America. Supporting Jews fleeing persecution and poverty in Eastern Europe, our founders were guided by the traditions, texts and history of the Jewish people—a history of oppression, displacement and diaspora. HIAS has since helped generations of Jews facing violence because of who they were, and HIAS remains committed to helping Jewish refugees anywhere in the world. Today, our clients at HIAS come from diverse faiths, ethnicities and backgrounds, as do our staff. We bring our experience, history and values to our work across five continents, ensuring that refugees today receive the vital services and opportunities they need to thrive.

HIAS is a learning community, committed to diversity and inclusion. We do our work with integrity, accountability, transparency and a commitment to the highest ethical standards. We seek employees from diverse backgrounds and life experiences to join our teams located in the United States and across the globe. People who identify as BIPOC, people with disabilities, people from the LGBTQ+ community and people with lived experiences of forced displacement or immigration are all encouraged to apply. We are committed to building a diverse workforce that reflects our vision, mission and values.

VISION:

HIAS stands for a world in which refugees find welcome, safety and opportunity.

MISSION:

Drawing on our Jewish values and history, HIAS provides vital services to refugees and asylum seekers around the world and advocates for their fundamental rights so they can rebuild their lives.

VALUES:

Welcome • Acogimiento • Hospitalite • Hachnasat Orchim

We Welcome the Stranger

Justice • Justicia • Justice • Tzedek

We Pursue Justice

Empathy • Empatia • Empathie • Chesed

We Approach our Clients with Empathy

Partnership • Companerismo • Cooperation • Chevruta

We Believe in Changing the World through Partnership

Courage • Coraje • Courage • Ometz

We Act with Courage to Build a Better World

Resilience • Resiliencia • Resilience • Ruach

We Adapt and Thrive, Continuously Demonstrating our Resilience

DIVERSITY:

HIAS is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. As an equal opportunity employer, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, ethnic background, ancestry, citizenship status, religious creed, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, registered domestic partner or civil union status, familial status, pregnancy, childbirth, military status, protected veteran status, political orientation or other legally protected status.

SAFEGUARDING:

HIAS is committed to the protection of children, vulnerable adults and any other person from any harm caused directly or indirectly due to their coming into contact with HIAS.We will not tolerate sexual exploitation, abuse or any form of child abuse or neglect by our staff or associated personnel**. Any candidate offered a job with HIAS will be expected to sign and adhere to HIAS’ Code of Conduct and Safeguarding policies.** All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records. HIAS also participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. Likewise, HIAS will share this information when other organizations inquire about current and former HIAS staff as part of their recruitment process. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.