Country: South Sudan
Closing date: 11 Dec 2017
INTERSOS is an independent humanitarian organization that assists the victims of natural disasters, armed conflicts and exclusion. Its activities are based on the principles of solidarity, justice, human dignity, equality of rights and opportunities, respect for diversity and coexistence, paying special attention to the most vulnerable people.
1.Terms of reference
Job Title: Psychosocial Support (PSS) Expert
Number of positions: 2
Country: South Sudan
Duty Station: Juba with frequent field visits across the country
Starting date: 01/12/2017
Contract duration: 6 months
Reporting to: Protection Coordinator
Dependents: No
2. General context of the project
South Sudan is a country, which has been affected by complex emergencies, both natural and conflict-related, for decades. INTERSOS has been present in South Sudan since 2006 with a country office in Juba and field bases in six States of the country, namely Jonglei, Upper Nile, Unity, Eastern Equatoria, Western Equatoria and Central Equatoria. INTERSOS focuses on implementing emergency response and relief programs in different sectors: Protection, Education, NFI/Shelter and WASH with a special focus on serving the conflict-affected population, which were forced to displace from their homes by the conflict but also the host communities, which often are equally vulnerable.
Frequent clashes between different factions have led to violations of human rights and mass displacements, family structures have been disrupted and many children separated from their primary caregivers. Children are amongst the ones most affected by conflict suffering overwhelming levels of trauma and psychological distress. There is a high need across the country to enhance improved access to quality PSS services delivered by trained and skilled Case Workers and Facilitators.
PSS interventions are cross-cutting activities that explicitly aim at preventing and reducing the negative impact of crisis situations on the emotional well-being of children and their families, and are designed to reach those most in need of psychosocial support. Such interventions include community-based activities that promote the ability of children, families and communities to support each other, resume everyday activities and heal from psychological distress and trauma through resilience building and strengthening of their own coping mechanism.
3. General purpose of the position
The PSS Expert will be based in Juba and be responsible for the technical capacity building of Child Protection staff of UNICEF implementing partners across the country. This will be done through regular Juba and field-based training and visits to project implementing sites for monitoring and evaluation of PSS interventions by UNICEF partners. He/She will gain a thorough understanding of local MHPSS needs and give individual technical advice and guidance to each partner to ensure that quality of implementation meets standards as per international CP standards. He/She will contribute to the development and improvement of field friendly guidelines, which will include a set of practical ready-to-use tools and checklists.
4. Main responsibilities and tasks
- Identify PSS capacity building needs of INTERSOS child protection project staff and CP partners through self-evaluation questionnaires and field monitoring visits.
- Conduct capacity building trainings in PSS programming focused on the concept of child resilience and psychosocial programming, based on the newest research and knowledge on child development for INTERSOS child protection project staff and CP partners.
- Facilitate workshops for CP field staff for peer-to-peer learning through exchange of experiences, learnings and best practices.
- Ensure a coherent approach to quality PSS programming amongst all partners of the CP subcluster in line with the IASC MHPSS pyramid.
- Review case management practices and interview techniques for staff of CP partners to ensure core principles, including no harm, are respected at all times.
- Support CP partners with user friendly guidelines, including a set of practical ready to use tools and checklists for developing and implementing PSS programming in different settings and phases of an emergency.
- Promote a clear understanding of the responsibilities of CP and non-CP frontline actors in South Sudan to protect boys and girls from harm and subsequent psychosocial distress, which inhibits their ability to develop and thrive.
- Identify and promote participatory approaches to strengthen community resilience and preparedness and train CP partners through practical simulation exercises.
- Ensure a functioning platform for information sharing and Child Protection library / resources gateway to support partners
- Design a mainstreaming Child Protection/PSS matrix and advocate with UNICEF Partners for Child Protection issues mainstreaming (in particular work with Education partners on integrating child protection through PSS in schools)
- Develop an advocacy strategy for issues related to child protection that require sensitization of local authorities or donors and contribute to the development of key messages for broader humanitarian advocacy/messaging initiatives of UNICEF Child protection.
5. Required profile and experience
Education
Master’s Degree in Psychology
Professional experience
- At least five years of relevant professional work experience in MHPSS or Child Protection in the humanitarian field.
- Experience in working in emergency context with international CP standards.
- Strong training and capacity building skills, particularly using participatory techniques for training of project staff.
Professional requirements
- Willingness to frequently travel to the field and live, adapt and productively work in insecure, unstable and/or harsh environments
- Ability to work independently and being proactive
- Familiarity with the issues and culture in South Sudan considered an asset
- Excellent analytical and report writing skills
- Flexibility, adaptability and high work capacity to ensure activities and technical management/coordination support provided in a timely manner to achieve project results
- Strong orientation towards evidence-based programming, with skills in monitoring and evaluation and conducting assessments desirable
Languages Fully proficient in written and spoken English
Personal requirements
- Strong inter-personal skills to develop effective working relationships with donors, colleagues and other stakeholders
- Strong team spirit, comfortable in a multi-cultural environment
- Excellent analytical skills, observation and analysis capacity
- Ability to plan ahead and output oriented (pro-active)
- Able to ensure quick quality delivery in stressful environment (stress-resilient)
- Ability to adhere to deadlines and respect line management
- Practical and problem-solver
- Ability to deal with heavy work pressure
How to apply:
For further information and to apply, follow the links below:
https://intersos.knack.com/imp#intersosorg-vacancies/vacancy-details/5a17d41c7e3ac475a61f349f/
https://intersos.knack.com/imp#intersosorg-vacancies/vacancy-details/5a17db3f1e50566cb7c75304/
In case you encounter difficulties applying through INTERSOS' platform, you can also apply by sending your CV, motivation letter and 2 references via email to recruitment@intersos.org , with subject line: "**Psychosocial Support (PSS) Expert - South Sudan**".
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for the first interview.