MHPSS Senior Manager

BACKGROUND:

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in over 40 countries, the IRC aims to restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure.

The International Rescue Committee works in Greece from July 2015 responding and providing aid to the refugees, migrants, asylum seekers and other vulnerable groups. The IRC’s programming in Greece focuses on Athens, Lesvos, Chios and Samos on the programmatic areas of Mental Health, Child Protection, WASH, Integration and Gender Based Violence.  

SCOPE OF WORK:

The Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Senior Manager is in charge of the overall management of the MHPSS program on the islands, including budget holding, and the overall development of the program. S/He is the technical and the managerial supervisor of the team Leaders on each location, S/He is reporting to the Head of Programs and liaises with the MHPSS Technical Advisor based at the HQ. S/He, in coordination with the Advocacy Department, will lead the advocacy priorities related to the MHPPS program. S/He is expected to travel frequently to the project locations for supervision purposes.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Technical Quality

●Lead efforts to ensure multi-tiered MHPSS services in Greece based on the IASC MHPSS pyramid so services can be delivered efficiently and effectively delivered at client level of need.

●Lead efforts to contextualize interventions and best practices for refugee and asylum-seeking clients on the Greek islands.

●Provide technical and management leadership to the MHPSS program in his/her location and nationally in accordance with best practices and IRC policy and in cooperation with the MHPSS technical advisor.

●Ensure that individual and group counselling is provided to people in need for MHPSS support, that clients are referred when necessary and that updated information management systems are in place.

●Ensure regular communication with the MHPSS Technical Advisor and the Head of Programs to integrate appropriate technical priorities in program design, in order to provide updates on achievements and challenges.

Staff Supervision & Development

●Directly supervises the MHPSS Managers on each programmatic location.

●Manage staff according to legal requirements and the HR Handbook.

●Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.

●Ensure timely completion and submission of monthly timesheets, annual performance reviews, high level staff performance and other HR management related tasks.

●Ensure training, support and ongoing capacity building opportunities for MHPSS staff (IRC’s & partners’) on technical skills.

●Conduct trainings to staff members of other departments to sensitize on MHPSS issues and build capacity across programs.

●Regular travel to other program locations for monitoring and support purposes.

●Lead MHPSS capacity building efforts for IRC staff, IRC partners’ staff, and other relevant actors nationally.

Grant Planning & Implementation

●Responsible for overall grant management and deliverables of grant in his/her location and nationally in relation to the MHPSS activities.

●Supports implementation and ensure adherence to grant work plans, spending plans and monitoring and evaluation plans.

●Work closely and coordinates with IRC supply chain, finance and grant, M&E and partnerships staff to ensure timely program activities and expenditures; including active participation in grant opening/closing and review meetings.

Grant Monitoring & Reporting

●Develop and maintain effective and efficient oversight, support, quality control and reporting systems and processes of MHPSS program in his/her location and nationally.

●Ensure regular field monitoring and modifications as required.

●Monitor and consolidate information collected from monthly and staff activity reports.

●Monitors spending locally and nationally.

●Ensure high-quality and timely IRC and donor reports on activities, indicators and achievements.

Advocacy & Representation – External & Internal Coordination

●Follow the context and in coordination with the Advocacy team contribute the advocacy objective of the MHPSS programming.

●Lead/contribute to advocacy briefings/events/etc.

●Actively develop and maintain effective working relationships with key stakeholders, including donors, government actors, UN agencies, international and local NGOs, social services and other relevant actors.

●Participate in the MHPSS and other relevant working groups at appropriate levels to contribute to coordination across agencies and sites.

●Participate in internal meetings and coordinate with other programs. 

Program Development

●Leads the development of the MHPSS sector.

●Contributes to proposal development (narrative and budget) through planning and program design with relevant field-based staff and ensure technical standards are taken into consideration.

●Coordinate with other IRC sectors to receive and provide input and support regarding responses for children harmed and at risk of being harmed.

●Lead MHPSS assessments locally and nationally, to contribute to concept papers, project proposals and reports and/or course correction in current programs

Monitoring and Evaluation

●Develop and maintain effective and efficient oversight, support, quality control and reporting systems and processes.

●Cooperate with M&E department in order to ensure data quality and timeliness in reporting.

●Monitor and consolidate information collected from weekly and staff activity reports.

●Ensure high-quality programming according to international minimum standards and best practices

●Support data analysis, conduct data review meetings and adjust programs as needed, and disseminate information to the appropriate coordinating mechanisms, field teams, beneficiaries and IRC implementing team accordingly.

Other

●Other duties as assigned by the supervisor to enable and develop IRC programs

Professional Standards

●All IRC staff are required to adhere to THE IRC Way Standards for Professional Conduct and the IRC country employment policies.