The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies Reference Centre for Psychosocial Support (PS Centre) is looking for two experienced mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) advisors to join our international team in Copenhagen at the PS Centre. We are excited to offer the right candidates the opportunity to build and increase the MHPSS capacity of Red Cross Red Crescent National Societies globally.
In these positions you will be using your skills and experience to:
a) Support the further development and roll out of an Integrated Model for Supervision (IMS) led by the PS Centre and Trinity College, Dublin. You will play a leading role in the successful testing and implementation of our global ‘Supervision – The Missing Link’ project. You will also have an integral role in ensuring a mainstreamed approach to supervision within the PS Centre by integrating IMS components into existing and future projects and generally advocating for supervision for MHPSS providers. Furthermore, you will be part of the MHPSS Technical Advisor team that supports National Societies in promoting and enabling the psychosocial well-being of beneficiaries, staff and volunteers.
b) Support the PS Centre’s response to the Ukraine crisis. You will play a leading role in the implementation of the EU funded project: ‘Provision of quality and timely psychological first aid to people affected by the Ukraine crisis’ – specifically focusing on the implementation in Ukraine in collaboration with Ukraine Red Cross Societies and Danish Red Cross. You will have an integral role in building MHPSS capacity, facilitating trainings (incl. Training of Trainers) and mentoring and supervising staff and volunteers in implementing National Societies. Furthermore, you will be part of the MHPSS Technical Advisor team that supports National Societies in promoting and enabling the psychosocial well-being of beneficiaries, staff and volunteers.
You will become part of a lively, ambitious, and well-functioning team, where we care for each other and value a good work-life balance. The positions are based in Copenhagen, Denmark and it is a requirement to work out of the Copenhagen office. Some travel is expected in this position (20-40 workdays per year).
Key tasks and responsibilities
a)
- Together with colleagues and project partners test and further refine the IMS Handbook and accompanying materials on supervision within MHPSS
- Support the implementation of the Integrated Model for Supervision in emergency affected countries
- Provide supervision to those engaged in the IMS project in-line with an apprenticeship model
- Support advocacy and communication activities related to supervision and the IMS project
b)
- Conduct assessment/s, building capacity and setting-up mentoring/supervision structures in the implementing countries.
- Develop, culturally adapt, and disseminate tools for training to enable humanitarians to offer Psychological First Aid and other psychological support to Ukrainian refugees. Adapt existing training packages to the current context and different needs.
- Use a cascading model of capacity building with initial centralized Training of Trainers.
- Quality assure trainings and provide ongoing supervision and support to trainers and RCRC MHPSS focal persons throughout the project.
- Provide guidelines, guidance, and training for team leaders on caring for staff and volunteers, including monitoring and evaluation, supervision and providing PFA in groups.
For both positions:
- Support National Societies to generally understand, promote and raise the psychosocial well-being of beneficiaries, staff and volunteers
- Develop packages of tools, intervention approaches and training/ capacity-building curriculums to guide National Societies on how they can provide community mental health care services in accordance with their mandate and auxiliary role.
- Support project development and implementation in regard to Mental health and psychosocial aspects.
- Follow the implementation of community mental health care services within National Societies and accompany/ mentor NS’s were applicable.
- Support the drafting of content to communication materials, briefing papers, Social Media, podcasts and other publications
- Support proposal writing.
- Perform any other work-related duties and responsibilities that may be assigned by Head of Centre. Ad hoc assignments are part of our daily work, and we try to cover for each other when colleagues are away on missions or holiday
The final job descriptions will be adapted according to the selected candidates’ skills and experience.
Experience and skills
- Relevant educational background in mental health and/or psychology.
- Minimum five years of relevant work experience in the field of MHPSS – including supervision experience.
- Demonstrated skills in facilitating MHPSS trainings and Training of Trainers, as well as follow up implementation support.
- Strong skills in providing supervision and providing hands on support to implement supervision structures on an organisational and programmatic level
- Proven skills in developing and drafting written tools and materials for various practitioners/people working at country level.
- Experience in one or more of the following: working in MHPSS services, working for or volunteering with the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement
- Strong organizational skills
- Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office package
- Aptitude for learning and using new digital tools and databases
- Advanced written and spoken English is required; knowledge of spoken Spanish, Arabic, French, , Russian and/or Chinese is an added advantage
Personal profile
- A structured, independent, and proactive approach to tasks
- Excellent communication, coordination as well as networking skills
- Ability to meet deadlines, multi-task, and work well in a fast-paced environment
- Strong team-player skills and ability to work independently
- Excellent writing skills and ability to communicate precisely and in writing
- Experience from working with people with different cultural backgrounds
- Prepared to contribute to a positive working environment
About the PS Centre
The Federation Reference Centre for Psychosocial Support (PS Centre is a small and lively Centre with an international atmosphere. Our working language is English. While we are ambitious in our wish to support the 193 National Societies of the Red Cross and Red Crescent worldwide and influence the global MHPSS agenda we also pride ourselves in maintaining a warm and supportive team environment. We work in accordance with the Danish Red Cross rules and regulations and we respect the need for a good work life balance.
The PS Centre is a delegated function of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, hosted by Danish Red Cross. It aims to improve mental health and psychosocial well-being through operational assistance, capacity development of National Societies, competence development of staff and volunteers, knowledge generation and knowledge sharing, and communication and advocacy.
Deadline for application submission: Friday 30 September 2022, 23:59 CEST.
Application and CV in English are accepted only through our online recruitment system. Only motivated applications will be accepted. More information about the position can be found here
