Job Description – MHPSS and Protection Supervisor

Location: Mogadishu, Somalia

Job Holder Reports To: MHPSS officer

Technical input is given by the in country MHPSS and Protection Advisor

Reporting to Job Holder: -

•       Overall Purpose: Working as an important member of a diverse team who are committed to serve the world’s most vulnerable with practical and compassionate care, the MHPSS and Protection Officer has a vital role to play in improving the overall mental health and psychosocial well-being of IDPs and vulnerable host communities. The MHPSS activities consist of Child Protection (Child friendly spaces), Case management to survivors of Gender Based Violence, Peer support groups, awareness raising on stress management and MHPSS, trainings in Psychological First Aid (PFA) and Communication Skills, and mhGAP HIG consultations provided at HF. The MHPSS and Protection Officer support the MHPSS and Protection manager in implementing the MHPSS and Protection activities and works directly with the communities in collaboration with the community health supervisors, medical supervisors and MHPSS and protection officer.

Project Overview:

•       Medair has been implementing integrated health, nutrition and WASH projects in Somalia since 2008, The current MHPSS activities are integrated in health, nutrition and WASH services and aim to improve the mental and psychosocial wellbeing of affected populations. The MHPSS and Protection activities aims to increase awareness about MHPSS and Protection (CP, GBV) through community health workers and Child Friendly Spaces, to increase the support provided to GBV survivors through case management, and to increase the capacity of health workers at the health facilities in dealing with patients with distress and mental health conditions.

Main Responsibilities.

•       Uphold Medair values at all times, both within and outside working hours, and contribute to the wellbeing of the team as an active member.

Technical

•       Raise awareness on mental health and psychosocial issues through training and supervision of health workers and community health workers in PFA and supportive communication skills

•       Train and supervise the community health workers in delivering MHPSS messages

•       Coordinate local-level activities and maintain cooperation with other community-level institutions, such as the village council, Health facilities, and schools

•       Ensure a supportive atmosphere in the clinic for assessment and management of MNS conditions

•       Support the health facilities in identifying and referring individuals with high-level psychosocial (PSS) needs or suspected mental health conditions who require specialist intervention

•       Support the health facilities in identifying and referring Gender-Based Violence (GBV) survivors in line with the established referral pathways

•       Assist the MHPSS and Protection manager in designing, setting up a case management (safe identification and referral) intervention. This includes training, coaching, and supervision of GBV nurse and GBV case workers

•       Support implementation of Child Friendly Spaces; train and supervise the CFS facilitators on the job

•       Facilitate child protection discussions/dialogue for caregivers at the CFS facilities and provide support for children with developmental challenges.

•       Facilitate peer support groups on child protection and GBV messages according to the template provided by Medair. This includes supervision of peer support facilitators.

•       Conduct focus group discussions and sessions on MHPSS, GBV and child protection with community and elders. Provide elaborate reports.

•       Day to day protection implementation activities in the field including community and health facility

•       Compile and submit weekly and monthly activity reports to the MHPSS and Protection officer using appropriate reporting tools. Include reports regarding protection risks, with particular attention for vulnerable/at risk children and women.

•       Review and do follow up information received and respond to issues that may need further action.

•       Oversee the process of data collection, collation, and dissemination to meet the requirements and deadlines set by Medair and/or external partners.

•       Ensure accurate and timely reporting of activities for internal and external reports (e.g., monthly, quarterly, and final reports) as requested by field managers, HQ, and donors.

•       Conduct any other duties as assigned by line manager.

Staff Management:

•       Assess training needs for CFS facilitators, Peer support group facilitators, GBV nurse and caseworkers, health workers and community health workers and ensure that appropriate trainings are conducted to ensure quality health care delivery.

•       Act as a liaison with the communities in specified locations

•       Where requested keep stakeholders informed of project activities involving them.

•       Facilitate regular partner staff meetings and ensure they are informed on project objectives and work plans and are provided opportunity for feedback.

•       Work closely together with the community health team of Medair and health supervisors.

•       Facilitate appropriate community involvement in the design and delivery of community based MHPSS/BCC services.

•       Maintain records of payments and feedback concerns to the MHPSS and Protection manager

•       working in CFS within the health facility and community and supervise community health volunteers and health workers in PFA.

•       Provide coaching and technical supervision to partners, CFS and peer support facilitators, health workers, GBV nurses and caseworkers, and community health workers in order to develop ownership and full responsibility of child friendly activities.

Financial management

•       Work with the MHPSs and Protection manager for timely reimbursement of people who have been referred and payment of incentives of CFS volunteers and participants enrolled in MHPSS trainings.

•       Develop and submit timely payment disbursement forms as requested.

Logistics

•       Manage the correct and timely ordering of needed MHPSS stocks and supplies to the field location of the Child Friendly Spaces.

Quality Management

•       Promote and use the Medair intranet and other operating procedures, ensuring that all standardised formats are used, and guidelines are followed.

•       Implement, as far as is possible within operational constraints, relevant policies and standards relating to nutrition service delivery including Sphere and HAP standards, national requirements and donor guidelines and other good practice.

•       Participate as requested Medair internal workshops and distance learning sessions to keep up with changing trends, new guidelines, and best practices.

Communication and Coordination

•       Coordinate with Community Health Manager (CHM) and Mental Health, Psychosocial and Protection Manager (MHPSS) and carry out trainings for Community health workers on Supportive Communication Skills and Psychosocial First Aid (SCS/PFA)

•       Coordinate and liaise with relevant team members to ensure MHPSS and Protection activities are implemented.

•       Develop and maintain a transparent, honest and supportive communication structure with colleagues to ensure they are kept informed of project related activities and requirements.

•       Develop and maintain positive relationships with stakeholders, local authorities, other NGOs and representing Medair and ensuring good co-operation and partnerships.

•       Understands and respects the communication channels of Medair, that they are not allowed to address media houses without direct permission from the country director.

•       In liaison with the MHPSS and Protection manager, coordinate and collaborate with appropriate Protection agencies for safe and confidential referral pathways

•       Facilitate appropriate community involvement in the design and delivery of protection health services

Monitoring and Evaluation

•       Ensure accurate and timely reporting of MHPSS referrals, supervision visits, trainings, and GBV, and child friendly space activities.