Senior Programme Assistant - Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS)

II. Organizational Context and Scope

Increasing new arrivals from neighbouring countries and access to newly liberated areas as well as protracted displacement and forced evictions in Somalia have ever more increased the humanitarian needs of the population. To that end, IOM has an increasing demand and responsibility to engage in supporting the Federal Government of Somalia, regional and local administrations in delivering peace and dignified life to the Somali population including vulnerable migrants and mobile populations such as internally displaced persons (IDPs).

With approximately 3.1 million people requiring humanitarian assistance and a lack of access to basic and protection services for significant parts of the population, delivering humanitarian aid under complex political, economic, social and cultural environment, while also increasing the local, regional and federal governments’ capacity in service delivery and community-based recovery are essential to continue supporting Somalia in its transitional phase. In this context, IOM Somalia has been implementing a range of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) projects under the MHD programme throughout Somalia and is currently expanding the MHPSS component.

Under the overall supervision of Chief of Mission of IOM Somalia and under the direct supervision of the Health Programme Coordinator of MHD, in close collaboration and consultation with other units as well as the members from the Gender-based Violence (GBV) Working Group and Gender Theme Group (GTG), the incumbent will be responsible for the management of the MHPSS component under the MHD programme.

III. Responsibilities and Accountabilities

1. Provide specialized assistance in support of planning and implementation of MHPSS component of the MHD programme throughout Somalia by tracking and monitoring the implementation progress to verify the projects objectives are achieved and suggesting corrective actions;
2. Provide MHPSS technical assistance to the mission as well as the key partners in Somalia including implementing partners by providing inputs and technical guidance on implementation work plan, reports and budgets in line IOM and donor requirements;
3. Provide technical inputs to the national gender as well as GBV related policy in coordination with the GBV Working Group and GTG;
4. Identify resource mobilization opportunities and draft concept notes/proposals to mobilize financial resource for the MHPSS component;
5. Strengthen partnerships with private sector such as Panasonic for GBV prevention through solar lantern distribution;
6. Research, analyse and present MHPSS related information for evidence based programming and strategy ;
7. Participate in recruiting and monitoring research consultants, cleaning and analysing collected data;
8. Train MHD colleagues to improve their understanding and technical capacity on MHPSS;
9. Assist the Gender Focal Point for IOM Somalia to mainstream gender equality through all IOM projects and offices;
10. Represent IOM in the GBV Working Group and GTG;
11. Represent IOM in Protection Cluster for GBV related issues in coordination with other relevant units such as Migration Crisis and Recovery Operations Unit (MCROPS);
12. Provide general administrative and financial support the MHD programme during the time of staff shortages;
13. Undertake duty travel when required;
14. Conduct additional tasks that may be assigned by the Health Programme Coordinator.

IV. Competencies

The incumbent is expected to demonstrate the following technical and behavioural competencies

Behavioural

Accountability

• Follows all relevant procedures, processes, and policies;
• Meets deadline, cost, and quality requirements for outputs;
• Monitors own work to correct errors;
• Takes responsibility for meeting commitments and for any shortcomings;

Client Orientation

• Identifies the immediate and peripheral clients of own work;

Continuous Learning

· Contributes to colleagues' learning;

· Demonstrates interest in improving relevant skills;

Communication

• Actively shares relevant information;
• Writes clearly and effectively, adapting wording and style to the intended audience;
• Listens effectively and communicates clearly, adapting delivery to the audience;

Performance Management

• Acknowledges constructive feedback provided by supervisor

Professionalism

• Masters subject matter related to responsibilities;
• Incorporates gender-related needs, perspectives, and concerns, and promotes equal gender participation;
• Persistent, calm, and polite in the face of challenges and stress;
• Treats all colleagues with respect and dignity;
• Works effectively with people from different cultures by adapting to relevant cultural contexts;
• Knowledgeable about and promotes IOM core mandate and migration solutions

Teamwork

• Actively contributes to an effective, collegial, and agreeable team environment;
• Contributes to, and follows team objectives;
• Gives credit where credit is due;
• Seeks input and feedback from others;
• Actively supports and implements final group decisions;

Technical

a) Works effectively in high-pressure, rapidly changing environments

b) Coordinates actions with emergency response actors and making use of coordination structures

V. Education and Experience

1. Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Psychiatry, Mental Health, Public Health, Gender Studies or related field;
2. At least six years of professional experience in MHPSS related programme in the Somali context or with Somali populations;
3. Experience in working with the key MHPSS partners in Somalia such as Ministry of Women and Gender, UN agencies, NGOs;
4. Experience in conducting MHPSS related research;
5. Experience in working in international organization, an asset;
6. Able to handle sensitive situations and cultivate productive relationships;
7. Ability to maintain accuracy and confidentiality in performing responsibilities;
8. Excellent interpersonal and verbal communication skills;
9. Calm, diplomatic and demonstrate the ability to meet strict deadlines;
10. High level of computer literacy (MS Office Word, Excel, Outlook).
11. Excellent communication skills both oral and written.
12. Ability to prepare clear and concise reports.
13. Strong strategic, analytical and creative thinking skills.
14. Ability to cooperate and coordinate with other units, implementing partners, NGOs and government departments, particularly in Somalia.
15. Personal commitment, efficiency, flexibility and drive for results.
16. Demonstrated gender awareness and gender sensitivity.
17. Capacity to work effectively and harmoniously with colleagues from various professional backgrounds.
18. Ability to work under difficult conditions and outside normal working hours while maintaining security awareness

VI. Languages

Required

Fluency in English is required.

Advantageous

Working knowledge of Somali and Arabic is an advantage

HOW TO APPLY:

SVN No: SVN/IOMSO/024/2016

Position title : Senior Programme Assistant - Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS)

Position grade : G6/01

Duty station : Nairobi, Kenya

Duration : 6 months with a possibility of extension

Job family: Programs – Migration Management Department

Organizational unit: Migration Health Division (MHD)

Reporting directly to Health Programme Coordinator

Overall supervision by Chief of Mission

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Method of Application: Interested candidates should submit CV and a cover letter indicating theVacancy Notice Number (SVN No) with three professional referees and their contacts (both email and telephone) to: recruitmentsomalia@iom.int

CLOSING DATE: 11 February 2016

ONLY SHORT-LISTED APPLICANTS WILL BE CONTACTED.