Job Title: Mental Health & Psychosocial Support Program Manager, HIAS Kenya

Department: HIAS Kenya

Location: Nairobi, KY

POSITION SUMMARY:

HIAS seeks a Mental Health & Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Program Manager to provide leadership and support for the implementation of quality community based MHPSS programmed for refugees and host communities in Kenya. The MHPSS Program Manager will be expected to provide technical oversight and supervision to MHPSS staff to ensure all activities are designed and conducted in accordance with HIAS Standard Operating Procedures and within MHPSS global guidelines. This position involves close coordination and working with the senior management team, Gender based violence, economic inclusion, and legal protection manager, and regional and headquarters technical teams. The MHPSS program manager will report to the program director. The MHPSS Program Manager will also serve as a focal point for HIAS Kenya and implementing partners on technical matters related to MHPSS service provision for urban refugees.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Program Development and Management

• Leads HIAS Kenya MHPSS program through provision of technical expertise on program design, and development
• Facilitate and contribute to the development of HIAS’ MHPSS country strategy, support assessment, research, documentation of lessons, and strengthening of evidence based and scalable MHPSS interventions in Kenya tailored to the identified MHPSS needs and in compliance with the HIAS’ MHPSS intervention theory of change and existing best practices and global standards.
• Responsible for MHPSS planning, development of programs and implementation plans and ensuring timely efficient and effective implementation of the psychosocial activities
• Facilitate regular supportive counselling/ supervision, coaching sessions and support for all field officers to manage stress, burnout and vicarious trauma
• Accountable for upholding and ensuring adherence to HIAS policies, procedures, ethics professional standards and best practices for operational efficiencies
• Work collaboratively with HIAS Programs such as Gender Based Violence Program, Economic Inclusion, Resettlement and Legal Protection Program to support identified mental and psychosocial needs of clients

Provision of MHPSS service

• Plan and oversee the establishment of community based mental health and psychosocial support and ensure the provision of evidence based and quality services to HIAS clients
• Monitor and provide participatory leadership in the provision of MHPSS services in line with national and international standards and guiding principles in reference to HIAS SOPs, UNHCR, IASC, SPHERE project and WHO guidelines, capacity build and onboard staff to ensure knowledge and adherence to these standards and periodically review and ensure efficiency of systems to these standards
• Support MHPSS team to provide psychoeducation to refugees using culturally appropriate coping strategies and development of appropriate IEC materials
• Oversee the implementation of HIAS case management system as per HIAS polices and relevant regulations

Resource Utilization

• Take lead in project planning and oversee budget expenditures to ensure effective use of resources against planned activities and outputs related to HIAS MHPSS work.
• Prepare and recommend psychosocial program budget with written justification, monitor the allocation of expenditures for consistency with approved budgets, and recommend revisions as needed
• Inform and ensure all field offices have the required human resource: verify appropriate staffing, ensuring proportionate workload sharing among field officers, identify human resources gaps and deploy relief on an ongoing basis
• Participate in and contribute to the identification, preparation and solicitation of donor funding for psychosocial services

Capacity Building

• Develop staff evaluation plans and performance measures and ensure performance appraisal for all staff, provide mentoring and on the job training to MHPSS staff.
• Ensure that continual capacity building on MHPSS guidelines and standards, PSS, PFA, safeguarding, protection principles, Do No Harm approaches, and Core Humanitarian Standards training is offered for HIAS staff, the staff of implementing partners, and key members of the community.

Coordination, partnership and Networking

• Coordinate with partners and local organizations to create linkages for refugees for promotion of quality referral pathways, strengthening MHPSS services and ensuring their integration of MHPSS concerns to different sectors
• Contribute the perspective and inputs of MHPSS in joint interagency assessments, planning, and reporting that are carried out by MHPSS technical working groups and relevant interagency initiatives.
• Develop a database for partnerships and foster a memorandum of understanding
• Actively participate and lead MHPSS specific coordination platform, interagency thematic work groups on donor briefings, including the Urban MHPSS WG in Nairobi.

Reporting

• Develop program and staff evaluation plans and performance measures for all staff, data collection methods and reporting procedures consistent with HIAS strategic plan and agency funding requirements to determine program and operation effectiveness.
• Review and disseminate in a timely manner, quarterly and annual MHPSS departmental reports highlighting for donor and board reports and track progress against key performance indicators(KPI) and project budget.
• Develop standardized and periodically review primary data collection tools and ensure consistent and timely statistical data gathering from the field.
• Accountable for the maintenance of updated and comprehensive database on mental health and psychosocial cases.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS:

• A Minimum of master’s degree in Counseling Psychology, Social Work or related field
• 7 – 9 years working in a management position with at least 3 years in Project Management with a specific focus on MHPSS programming.
• Experience in community based MHPSS, GBV, Child Protection and related sectors program implementation approaches to refuges and host communities in a humanitarian context
• Demonstrated ability and experience to supervise and oversee technical work in MHPSS in a humanitarian setting. Preference for candidates who have previous experience with direct service provision to vulnerable refugee and migrant populations.
• Trained in counselling/clinical supervision and active registration with a professional association (Kenya Counselling and Psychological Association/Kenya Psychological Association/Kenya National Association of Social Workers)
• Demonstrated experience with operationalizing MHPSS Global standards and principles, including knowledge of international humanitarian standards for MHPSS programming.
• Strong training and capacity building experience, particularly using participatory techniques for training related to different components of MHPSS programming.
• Self-starter with an ability to work with minimal supervision, in a culturally diverse team
• Excellent Analytical, Communication and Report writing skills
• Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to establish effective working relations with local staff, beneficiaries and other stakeholders
• Ability to maintain one’s composure while under pressure
• Knowledge in Accountability to Affected Populations
• Knowledge in PSEA

DISCLAIMER:

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. It is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, skills required or permanent location. Location is subject to change based on programmatic needs. Flexibility is essential as we grow and develop. The successful candidate must be comfortable in a fast-paced, changing work environment with many crucial deadlines. All team members may be required to perform duties outside of their normal work hours of responsibilities as needed.

SAMPLE HIRING PROCESS:

We are committed to a fair and respectful hiring process, and we do our absolute best to respond to every applicant. We prioritize communication and transparency with all candidates, even those who are not moving forward. Here’s a snapshot of our hiring process:

Step 1: Submit your application!

Step 2: Phone screen with a Human Resources staff person.

Step 3: Interview with the hiring manager.

Step 4: Interview with a panel of HIAS employees.

Step 5: Reference check.

Step 6: Offer and background check.

Step 7: Start your professional journey with HIAS!

Note: Some of our hiring processes may vary, and not all candidates will advance to each step.

ABOUT US:

Over one hundred years ago, the Jewish community founded HIAS (originally the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society) in New York City, the immigrant gateway to America. Supporting Jews fleeing persecution and poverty in Eastern Europe, our founders were guided by the traditions, texts and history of the Jewish people—a history of oppression, displacement and diaspora. HIAS has since helped generations of Jews facing violence because of who they were, and HIAS remains committed to helping Jewish refugees anywhere in the world. Today, our clients at HIAS come from diverse faiths, ethnicities and backgrounds, as do our staff. We bring our experience, history and values to our work across five continents, ensuring that refugees today receive the vital services and opportunities they need to thrive.

HIAS is a learning community, committed to diversity and inclusion. We do our work with integrity, accountability, transparency and a commitment to the highest ethical standards. We seek employees from diverse backgrounds and life experiences to join our teams located in the United States and across the globe. People who identify as BIPOC, people with disabilities, people from the LGBTQ+ community and people with lived experiences of forced displacement or immigration are all encouraged to apply. We are committed to building a diverse workforce that reflects our vision, mission and values.

VISION:

HIAS stands for a world in which refugees find welcome, safety and opportunity.

MISSION:

Drawing on our Jewish values and history, HIAS provides vital services to refugees and asylum seekers around the world and advocates for their fundamental rights so they can rebuild their lives.

VALUES:

Welcome • Acogimiento • Hospitalité • הכנסתאורחים (Hachnasat Orchim)

We Welcome the Stranger

Justice • Justicia • Justice • צדק (Tzedek)

We Pursue Justice

Empathy • Empatía • Empathie • חסד (Chesed)

We Approach our Clients with Empathy

Partnership • Compañerismo • Coopération • חברותא (Chevruta)

We Believe in Changing the World through Partnership

Courage • Coraje • Courage • אומץ (Ometz)

We Act with Courage to Build a Better World

Resilience • Resiliencia • Résilience • רוח (Ruach)

We Adapt and Thrive, Continuously Demonstrating our Resilience

DIVERSITY:

HIAS is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, ethnic background, ancestry, citizenship status, religious creed, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, registered domestic partner or civil union status, familial status, pregnancy, childbirth, military status, protected veteran status, political orientation or other legally protected status.

SAFEGUARDING:

HIAS is committed to the protection of children, vulnerable adults and any other person from any harm caused directly or indirectly due to their coming into contact with HIAS. We will not tolerate sexual exploitation, abuse or any form of child abuse or neglect by our staff or associated personnel. Any candidate offered a job with HIAS will be expected to sign and adhere to HIAS’ Code of Conduct and Safeguarding policies. All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records. HIAS also participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. Likewise, HIAS will share this information when other organizations inquire about current and former HIAS staff as part of their recruitment process. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.

Application: https://hias.hrmdirect.com/employment/job-opening.php?req=2256545&&&nohd#job