The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

What is your Job Scope?

Job Overview/Summary: Under the supervision of the Senior Health Coordinator, the Public Health Specialist (MHPSS) provides technical leadership, quality assurance, and capacity strengthening for MHPSS services across IRC-implemented and partner-led health programs.

The Specialist supports the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of community-based and facility-based MHPSS interventions, ensuring strong integration with PHC, SRH, nutrition, iCCM, and protection services.

 Major Responsibilities:

Technical Leadership and Program Design (MHPSS within Public Health)

  • Lead the technical design and adaptation of MHPSS interventions within integrated public health programs, including emergency and protracted crisis responses.
  • Ensure MHPSS services are aligned with WHO mhGAP, IASC MHPSS Guidelines, national policies, and IRC global MHPSS standards.
  • Support integration of MHPSS across:
    • PHC and outpatient services
    • SRH (including CCSAS and GBV survivor support pathways)
    • Nutrition services
    • Community health and iCCM platforms
  • Provide technical input into proposals, concept notes, and donor reports related to MHPSS and integrated health programming.

Capacity Building and Technical Support

Strengthening the capacity of IRC and partner staff in delivering quality MHPSS services through:

  • Monthly coordination meetings with implementing partners
  • Structured training on:
    • Psychological First Aid (PFA)
    • Community-based MHPSS
    • mhGAP-informed care
    • Basic counselling skills and referral pathways
    • Self-care and burnout prevention for frontline staff
  • Monthly Continuing Medical Education (CME) sessions incorporating MHPSS topics
  • On-the-job coaching and mentoring during field supervision visits
  • The Specialist actively supports partners to identify service delivery challenges and co-develop practical solutions.

Service Quality Assessment and Supportive Supervision

Assess and strengthen the quality of MHPSS services delivered by IRC and partners through structured supervision and feedback.

Quality assurance tools include:

  • MHPSS service quality and supervision checklists
  • PHC and CHW supervision tools (with MHPSS components)
  • SRH and CCSAS service quality checklists
  • IPC checklists relevant to counselling and group activities
  • Document findings in supervision reports
  • Discuss results with partners through review meetings
  • Track follow-up actions to improve service quality and client safety

Oversight of IRC-Implemented MHPSS Services

  • Provide technical oversight for IRC and partner-led implemented MHPSS interventions, including:
  • Mental health awareness and psychoeducation sessions
  • Group-based psychosocial support activities
  • Individual counselling and basic mental health care
  • Community-level MHPSS activities integrated with health promotion
  • Referral pathways for severe mental health conditions and GBV survivors
  • Ensure MHPSS services are safe, confidential, gender- and age-appropriate, and culturally responsive.

Monitoring, Evaluation, Technical, Accountability and Learning (METAL)

  • Co-design MHPSS indicators and monitor frameworks with MEAL teams.
  • Support routine data review, service quality monitoring, and learning.
  • Contribute to assessments, rapid needs analysis, and evaluations related to mental health and psychosocial wellbeing.
  • Promote adaptive programming based on evidence and contextual changes.

Coordination and Representation

  • Represent IRC in MHPSS Working Groups, Health Cluster, and Protection coordination forums, as delegated.
  • Liaise with government counterparts, ethnic health organizations, and humanitarian actors to strengthen coordinated MHPSS responses.
  • Support cross-sector collaboration with Health, Protection, WPE, and Nutrition teams.

Other

  • Other relevant duties assigned by the supervisor.

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to                        : Senior Health Coordinator
Position directly supervises          : N/A

Indirect Reporting:
Other Internal and/or external contacts:

Internal: Senior technical officer (MHPSS-roving), Health Counseller

External: Health cluster including UN agencies

PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS

All International Rescue Committee workers must adhere to the core values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. Our Standards are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Safeguarding, Conflicts of Interest, Fiscal Integrity, and Reporting Wrongdoing and Protection from Retaliation. IRC is committed to take all necessary preventive measures and create an environment where people feel safe, and to take all necessary actions and corrective measures when harm occurs. IRC builds teams of professionals who promote critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity to deliver the best possible services to our clients.

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