Project Manager, MHPSS

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with a network of 192-member National Societies. The overall aim of the IFRC is “to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by National Societies with a view to preventing and alleviating human suffering and thereby contributing to the maintenance and promotion of human dignity and peace in the world.”  The IFRC works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises. The IFRC is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (Movement), together with its member National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The work of the IFRC is guided by the following fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.  The IFRC is led by its Secretary General, and has its Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The Headquarters are organized into three main Divisions: (i) National Society Development and Operations Coordination; (ii) Global Relations, Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalization; and (iii) Management Policy, Strategy and Corporate Services. The IFRC has five regional offices in Africa, Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, Europe, and the Americas.  The IFRC also has country cluster delegation and country delegations throughout the world. Together, the Geneva Headquarters and the field structure (regional, cluster and country) comprise the IFRC Secretariat.

In February 2022, a new phase in the armed conflict in Ukraine started. The intensification and spread of hostilities have affected all of Ukraine, causing massive humanitarian needs across all sectors and destroying essential civilian infrastructure. Millions of people are displaced in Ukraine, more than 7 million people have fled to other countries. IFRC and DRC have launched a major Emergency Appeal for Ukraine and Impacted Countries that is coordinated on European regional level – with numerous country level operations ongoing. ICRC, IFRC, DRC and numerous Partner National Societies are integrating their capacities to provide coordinated crisis response in Ukraine and impacted countries. The operational structure will be fully integrated into existing structures at Country / Country Cluster and Regional Office level to ensure full synergies with the overall regional work.

This position is to be based in the DRC Ukraine country office in Kyiv starting as soon as possible.  The Project Manager will also provide support to URCS branches as needed. There will also be frequent travel to project locations in all regions. 

The Project Manager will oversee the delivery of Danish Red Cross (DRC) supported Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) programmes implemented by the Ukrainian Red Cross Society. The Project Manager will be responsible for ensuring that MHPSS projects are being implemented according to workplans and budgets and ensure timely information management and reporting. The Project Manager will manage directly part of the project(s) funded by in DRC in Ukraine’s portfolio, and be responsible for representing DRC in movement coordination and working groups as relevant.  

The Project Manager will also URCS in improving their project management capacities and facilitate strong technical support from DRC to the components required under the funded project(s). The Project Manager will also take lead in operationalising DRC’s Country Strategy ambition of supporting URCS in strengthening their capacity and engagement on MHPSS. 

The Project Manager will be responsible for: 

• Managing funded project(s) for DRC CO, including facilitating assessments, project design, implementation, monitoring and reporting etc. 
• Coordination with URCS and other partners on project management and implementation
• Ensuring relevant involvement and support by DRC colleagues at CO, RO and HQ level to promote technical quality, donor/partnership compliance, strong project management standards incl. on M&E, logistics and finance in project(s) 

Support the URCS in general project management 

Project Management (60%)

• Work closely with the URCS, DRC and other relevant partners to establish and maintain an effective project management set-up and to ensure progress follows project documents, log frame, budget, activity plans and donor requirements
• Ensure project implementation progress and facilitate solid operational coordination between URCS, project partners and relevant DRC project implementation and support staff
• Ensure monitoring of projects progress with DRC technical delegates and PMEAL staff
• Provide project management guidance and support to URCS project team in planning, implementation, monitoring & revisions
• Support procurement and distribution of PSS sets and items (CFS sets, PSS family sets etc)
• Ensure that relevant Donor and DRC guidelines and regulations are adhered to
• Support URCS to ensure quality and consistent implementation of cross cutting approaches such as Community Engagement and Accountability, Protection Gender and Inclusion as well as DRC and donor policy requirements
• Coordinate needs assessments, baseline studies, midterm reviews (MTR) and end of projects evaluations as relevant together with DRC CO PMEAL, URCS and relevant partners
• Responsible for consolidating and coordinating all input to preparation of external final reports incl. quality assurance in accordance with Standard Operational Procedures and donor regulations
• Facilitate solid coordination between URCS and DRC project team to ensure provision of necessary technical inputs and development and application of quality assurance systems for all project components
• Responsible for facilitating proper achieving of project documents for DRC and partners
• Perform any other Project related tasks that may be necessary or assigned by the DRC Country Manager, this may include translation of materials and translation during meetings

Technical lead and capacity development (20%)

• Provide technical support to URCS in the frame of DRC project(s) with MHPSS components
• Support URCS in developing its capacity, strategy and portfolio for MHPSS
• Contribute to in-country Movement and external coordination on cross-cutting MHPSS
• Participate in relevant meetings including technical supervision with the MHPSS Delegate and larger DRC team and the national MHPSS WG
• Contribute to technical developments (tools, guidelines material etc.)

Project Development (10%)

• Contribute to development of project ideas and concepts together with URCS and other partners on MHPSS
• Contribute to stakeholder mappings, networking and identifying new funding opportunities
• Lead needs assessment and formalization of context analysis
• Coordinate and provide input to the development of project documents and proposals

Project Financial Management (10%)

• Supported by DRC Finance delegate, oversee expenditure and burn rate of project budgets
• Build the capacity of URCS to track and report on budget expenditure
• Report regularly on budget expenditure including and especially under and overspend

Required:

• Technical expertise within psychosocial, mental health, protection and/or community based programmes
• Diploma in psychology, social work or other related field

Required:

• Minimum 3 years experience in a similar role preferably with an INGO/NGO/UN with good knowledge of issues relating to MHPSS in humanitarian and development programmes
• Experience in utilizing the following internationals tools: IFRC PSS toolboxes and IASC MHPSS Guidelines
• Previous experience coordinating and managing PSS projects with strong technical, programme mentoring, and coordination skills
• At least 2 years’ experience working with a RC/RC Movement or another organisation with similar field of operations.

Required:

• Sharing the RC/RC principles and values
• Good communication skills

• Strong skills in managing relationships including: Working in teams; Communicating information and ideas; Conflict and self-management; Knowledge sharing/Continuous learning

• Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment

• Good stress management skills
• Self supporting in computers [Windows, Microsoft Office, database, e-mail (Outlook) etc.]
• Fluently spoken and written English and Ukrainian

Communication; Collaboration and Teamwork; Analysis and Reporting; Building Trust; Negotiations