MHPSS Coordinator to support MHPSS Technical Working Groups (TWGs)

ROLE PURPOSE: 

Under the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA) funded Enhancing Mykolaiv's Future- Empowering Resilient Communities, Families, and Civil Society for Reconstruction and Recovery. SCI in Ukraine works on ensuring MHPSS responders’ groups are strengthened to ensure inclusive engagement in response and recovery planning and delivery. As International coordination structures are complex and difficult to understand, actors struggle to explain all the coordination mechanisms on different levels. SC continues to use its role as a civil society cluster lead agency and key international actor in the humanitarian response to promote the role of national and local civil society in coordination. This will help work across the nexus; ensuring civil society actors are supported to share learning from the humanitarian phase of the response to inform recovery and reconstruction processes. At the national level, SC is already an active member of the National Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Technical Working Group. Moreover, SC co-chairs two sub-national MHPSS technical working groups (TWGs) – the Chernivtsi TWG and the Kyiv Hub TWG. Coordination is fully aligned with the standard guidance on how to best to support well-coordinated and multisectoral MHPSS responses that are predictable, accountable, equitable, efficient and effective as per the IASC handbook of MHPSS Coordination and the All-Ukrainian Mental Health Program. In Mykolaiv SC is an active member in South oblasts hub regional working group and is exploring the possibility to play a more active role in strengthening networks that serve MHPSS-focused local, national and international organizations. As co-chair of regional MHPSS TWGs, SC supports coordination efforts between different actors to ensure improvement of the mental health and psychosocial well-being of children and their families affected by the war. SC actively participates in Mental Health Coordination Council activities, interacts with stakeholders (government agencies, civil society organizations, professional communities), and engages with local authorities to ensure the sustainability of community-based MHPSS.

The MHPSS Coordinator will support coordination of two or more Regional MHPSS Technical Working Groups (TWGs) focusing primarily on South oblasts hub regional TWG. This includes ensuring effective coordination, communication, and collaboration among members. Under technical line management from MHPSS Technical Advisor (TA), the MHPSS Coordinator will organize TWG meetings, facilitate discussions, and drive the implementation of the group’s objectives. S/he will be responsible for preparing meeting agendas, write meeting minutes and support effective coordination and collaboration with area office teams with a primary focus on South Area Office.

The MHPSS Coordinator will work closely with the leadership and MHPSS team of SC’s South Area Office in addition to other area offices: Area office Directors, Heads of Programs, Child Protection (CP) & MHPSS Project Managers, MHPSS Coordinators, CP/MHPSS Coordinators to coordinate local representation and coordination as needed. The post holder is expected to represent Save the Children’s leadership in child focused MHPSS in Mykolaiv (South of Ukraine) and expanding this leadership all over Ukraine, support sharing experience between members of the TWGs, document gaps in existing services and innovate ways to strengthen the Ukraine MHPSS systems, sustainability, and shock resilience.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY: 

Coordination and Facilitation
•    Support MHPSS TAs, MHPSS South Area Office Team and other Area Offices’ MHPSS teams in organizing/facilitating Regional MHPSS TWG meetings, workshops, and other events.
•    Ensure effective communication and information sharing between Save the children and among MHPSS TWG members.
•    Support MHPSS TAs, MHPSS South Area Office Team and other Area Offices’ MHPSS teams in cooperation with Regional Coordinators (All-Ukrainian Mental Health Coordination Council, under Cabinet of Ministries of Ukraine).
•    Develop and maintain TWG meeting agendas, meeting minutes, and action plans.

Strategic Planning
•    Assist in the development and implementation of the strategic plan of Save the Children’s contribution within MHPSS TWGs, focusing primarily on South oblasts hub regional TWG.
•    Monitor progress towards achieving Save the Children’s objectives and goals in coordination withing MHPSS TWGs, focusing primarily on South oblasts hub regional TWG.
•    Identify and address challenges or barriers to progress of the strategic plan of Save the Children’s contribution within MHPSS TWGs, focusing primarily on South oblasts hub regional TWG.

Stakeholder Engagement
•    Support MHPSS team in building and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders, including government agencies, NGOs, and other relevant organizations.
•    Support MHPSS TAs, MHPSS South Area Office Team and other Area Offices’ MHPSS teams in representation of SCI in MHPSS TWG meetings and external meetings/events.
•    Support MHPSS TAs, MHPSS South Area Office Team and other Area Offices’ MHPSS teams in facilitating of collaboration with other working groups and stakeholders.

Research and Analysis
•    Conduct analysis of available assessments and reports to support MHPSS TWGs’ activities and decision-making processes.
•    Prepare reports, briefs, and other documents as required.
•    Stay informed about relevant developments and trends in the MHPSS field.

Administrative Support
•    Ensure that activities organized by SCI are compliant with SCI organizational policies and procedures.
•    Provide administrative support to MHPSS TAs, MHPSS South Area Office Team and other Area Offices’ MHPSS teams in MHPSS TWG coordination activities, including scheduling meetings and managing correspondence.

Safety, Security and Risks 
•    Adhere to, and promotes Safety, Security & Risk Policies, standards, plans & procedures.
•    Report any incidents which could affect staff wellbeing immediately to CD/Security Focal Point (SFP).

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

• A university degree in a relevant field preferably in a subject related to psychology (e.g., public health (including mental health), social sciences, international development, child development and/or protection) or other relevant academic background.
• 2-3 years of experience in coordination activities within an international organization/Professional Organization/Academic Institution/NGO.
• Proven experience in financial management and administration.
• Proven ability to work in culturally diverse and challenging environments including emergencies response. 
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and team management skills, including team leading and influencing.
• Proficient in MS Excel, MS Word, Outlook.
• Demonstrated commitment to development of staff and partners.
• Ability to maintain focus on long-term objectives and deliverables while addressing day to day administrative issues.
• An in-depth understanding of relevant Mental Health issues pertaining to children both in development and emergencies settings in Ukraine; commitment to work with and for children and families.
• Politically and culturally sensitive with qualities of patience, tact, and diplomacy.
• Creative problem-solving and analytical skills with ability to work effectively in resource constrained environment and with minimal supervision.
• Fluency in English written and oral communication.
• Competent in local language(s), culture and context.
• Awareness of staff-wellbeing and self-care principles.
• Commitment to and understanding of child right, Save the Children values and Child Safeguarding.

Additional job responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities as set out above are not exhaustive and the role holder may be required to carry out additional duties within reasonableness of their level of skills and experience.

 WE OFFER:

• Employment in accordance with Ukrainian legislation
• Working hours from 09.00 till 17.00
• Medical and Life insurance starting the first working day
• English courses paid by organization
• Office in the central part of the city
• Coffee and cookies in the office

Equal Opportunities:

The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with the SCI Equal Opportunities and Diversity policies and procedures.

Child Safeguarding: 

We need to keep children safe so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse. 

Health and Safety:

The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with SCI Health and Safety policies and procedures.