JOB DESCRIPTION

1. Scope

1. Context

About Relief International

Relief International (RI) partners with communities impacted by conflict, climate change, and disaster to save lives, build greater resilience and promote long-term health and well being.

Currently, RI is active in 14 countries around the world, including some of the most fragile: Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Myanmar, Pakistan, Philippines, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Turkey, and Yemen.

Relief International includes the four corporate members of the RI Alliance: Relief International Inc., Relief International-UK, Relief International-France and Relief International-Europe Under our alliance agreement, we operate with a single, shared management structure.

About our Country Program/ Regional Programs

Middle East Region

RI operates in six countries in the Middle East region:  Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey and Yemen, with a focus on the four RI sector pillars: Health, WASH, Education and Economic Opportunity.  We employ more than 4,000 staff (direct and indirect) in the Middle East region and implement a range of humanitarian and development programs valued at approximately $70 million USD on an annual basis.

1. Job Profile

Under the supervision of the WoS protection advisor, the WoS PSS coordinator will support the program managers in implementing and supervising the specialized PSS interventions in Syria. Particularly, s/he will have a key role in assessing the technical needs of the PSS staff and contribute to the capacity building of RI’s and partners’ PSS teams. S/he will oversee the quality of services at the women and girls’ safe spaces (WGSS), protection units, and mobile units in emergencies.

The PSS coordinator will be supported by the protection advisor and will be responsible for ongoing assessment of the capacity and the quality of PSS work inside Syria and will provide technical support and recommend corrective measures, as needed. The PSS coordinator will also ensure that activities are on track and the response is appropriate, relevant, effective, timely, coordinated, and complementary. The PSS coordinator will also play a key role in integrating PSS under gender-based violence (GBV) and child protection (CP) activities and actively seek synergies with other sectors of the intervention. The PSS coordinator will be responsible to lead the technical development of the sub-sector and for the development and revision of manuals, guidelines, tools and all technical elements related with the PSS programme. When needed, s/he will provide remote counseling support to high-risk clients and sensitive cases.

Key responsibilities

Technical supervision and program oversight

• Coordinate closely with the Syria-based protection managers, protection coordinators and the Amman-based WoS protection team on overseeing the day-to-day implementation and progress of the PSS program activities
• Provide direct technical guidance and support and oversight to the PSS senior officers in the provision of quality PSS services to ensure the needs of target groups are met in a timely and consistent manner, and to ensure that safe and ethical data monitoring, and processes are streamlined in the program facilities across all geographical areas
• In coordination with the protection advisor, lead the development and revision of PSS activities and programmes in Syria, including drafting, and revising manuals for safe program delivery by the PSS teams
• Support the protection advisor in the development and revision of the PSS programme and introducing new innovative activities and services, in line with clients’ needs
• Actively contribute to the integration of PSS into the GBV/CP strategy to meet the needs of the affected populations inside Syria, and lead assessments to inform program priorities for selected geographic locations
• Support the protection advisor and the protection managers in the development of PSS resources and IEC materials
• Oversee establishment of/updating the referral pathways for the catchment areas
• Support and supervise the implementation of data security policies according to global standards, respecting confidentiality of survivors’ data
• Coordinate with the WoS GBV and CP coordinator in Amman for joint activities including capacity building activities
• In coordination with HR and Syria-based protection coordinators, recruit PSS staff and work with supervisors to ensure Performance Management Plan for all staff is in place and regularly followed up on
• In coordination with the protection advisor, review the function of the PSS staff at the field level and at Amman level and advise on changes/adaptation as needed
• Support the protection program managers in Syria in ensuring work plans are followed and targets are met

Program development and reporting

• Contribute to proposal development as delegated by the protection advisor and the grants and reporting unit, when needed
• Contribute to ongoing analyses of programs and service delivery data for problem identification, program planning and advocacy purposes, and help identify trends and gaps in PSS programming
• Oversee the assessment of the protection centers’ needs/gaps as well as regular community assessments
• Support to the internal and external periodic reports as well as development of concept notes and proposals, ensuring respect of deadlines
• Participate in all grant opening, mid-term and closing meetings, and ensure compliance with donor regulations during implementation of projects in close coordination with the protection managers
• Participate in technical coordination meetings as requested by the line manager
• Any other task assigned by the line manager

Capacity building

• In coordination with the protection advisor, develop and lead training of RI and partners’ PSS teams based on the capacity building needs assessment and plan
• Support/contribute to local partners’ capacity building plan for strengthening local partners’ capacity in PSS
• In coordination with the protection advisor, develop/utilize the PSS training curricula and materials for PSS under CP/GBV as well as support the linkages between non-focused and specialized MHPSS services, in line with the training plan

Representation

• Participate in PSS coordination forums’ meetings coordinated by the AoRs and clusters as requested

Accountability and M&E

• Support proper use of the M&E tools and systems and provide input to track indicators and measure progress

Behavior and conduct

• Ensures that behavior inside and outside of work promotes the values in RI’s code of conduct and safeguarding policies
• Acts with integrity and holds themselves accountable for being respectful, inclusive and professional
• Reports any concerns

1. Person Specification

Essential criteria

• ‘Master’s degree in psychology or related field with a minimum of 3 years of post-licensure experience particularly in one of the three specializations: clinical psychology, counselling, clinical social work (with additional therapy qualification)
• Minimum of four years 4 professional experience with supervisory responsibilities, preferably with crisis affected population
• Ability and experience to effectively provide training on MHPSS topics
• Strong communication and analytical skills and ability to present ideas effectively
• Ability to conduct sensitive and non-judgmental communication; good diplomatic skills
• Emotional maturity and stability to resolve conflicts in an effective manner
• Familiarity with principles and practice of monitoring and evaluation
• Good analytical and problem-solving skills and detail oriented
• Knowledge of global MHPSS guidelines and best practices and MHPSS approaches in humanitarian contexts
• Experience in conducting assessments
• Experience in designing MHPSS program tools
• Excellent time management skills
• Capable of working both individually and as part of a team
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, stressful environment
• Demonstrated ability to work across multi-functional units
• Organized and able to independently manage multiple tasks under strict deadlines
• Cultural awareness and ability to work well in an international environment with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures
• Ability to think critically and creatively
• Excellent knowledge of MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and email/internet software
• Ability to work with minimal supervision
• INGO experience is required
• Fluency in Arabic is required
• Very good spoken/written English is required

Desirable criteria

• Experience with the Syrian context or emergency settings

1. RI Values

Guided by the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence, as well as “Do No Harm,” Relief International Values:

• Integrity
• Adaptability
• Collaboration
• Inclusivity
• Sustainability