Emergency MHPSS Specialist

POSITION SUMMARY:

HIAS seeks an Emergency Mental Health & Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Specialist to lead emergency initiatives globally, working closely with the MHPSS and Emergency teams. The Emergency MHPSS Specialist will be responsible for implementing and managing the technical components of an MHPSS response in emergency settings.

The Emergency MHPSS Specialist will report to the Director, Resilience Programs, and will coordinate closely with the Emergency team. During deployment, this role will report directly to the Emergency Team Lead on the ground, or, in situations in which there is no Emergency Team Lead but there is an existing HIAS country office, the Emergency MHPSS Specialist will report into the HIAS Country Director (or their designated manager). The Emergency MHPSS Specialist will also work closely with relevant Technical Directors, the Strategy & Measurement department, the Global Public Affairs division and/or other HIAS departments or divisions relevant to their area of expertise.

Note, this position is based at our headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland or our office in New York, New York, and we will consider a remote option for applicants who live outside of commuting distance to either of our offices and are based in other states in which we are registered (Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin). This position can also be based in the LAC or Africa & Eurasia regions in countries where HIAS has existing operations. (Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Mexico, Venezuela, Guyana, Aruba, Costa Rica, Panama, Israel, Belgium, Poland, Romania, Moldova, Ukraine, Austria, Spain, Greece, Chad or Kenya)

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Deploys and actively leads the delivery of emergency MHPSS services (where necessary) and provides technical support in the delivery of emergency MHPSS services, including guidance on planning, implementation, monitoring & evaluation and reporting of MHPSS activities; ensures response activities are consistent with HIAS’ strategies and internationally accepted standards of practice (e.g. IASC Guidelines, Minimum Standards, HIAS MHPSS strategy, etc.).
• Provides technical oversight to develop and operationalize emergency components of HIAS’ MHPSS strategy, including mainstreaming and standalone MHPSS emergency response activities.
• Contextualizes MHPSS emergency response activities (based on technical expertise and observations on the ground) to ensure delivery of quality and appropriate interventions.
• Develops MHPSS emergency response strategy in close coordination with HIAS’ MHPSS colleagues and the Emergency Department.
• Provides technical guidance for a MHPSS rapid needs assessment/situational analysis among the affected population(s) in coordination with HIAS’ MHPSS colleagues, the Emergency Department, the Strategy & Measurement teams and other relevant colleagues at the country office level; where possible, develops an integrated rapid needs assessment with other technical colleagues (Gender & GBV, Economic Inclusion, Legal Rights).
• Produces and shares summary of findings from rapid needs assessment to guide MHPSS programmatic response and implementation.
• Provides technical assistance in developing a coherent emergency response plan on MHPSS, and contributes to integrating this plan into the overall approach for all sectors; develops an emergency plan of action with budget and recommendations to support programming (in close coordination with the Emergency team and other colleagues on the ground).
• Ensures that HIAS’ actions are part of a coordinated response with partner agencies and CBOs; works to improve interagency coordination, sharing of information and promotion of MHPSS guidelines and best practices.
• Advocates for the importance of integrating MHPSS and global protection minimum standards in multisectoral settings.
• Where MHPSS response implementation will be conducted through partners, supports the Team Lead and/or existing HIAS country office to assess, identify and select implementing partners with demonstrated technical capacity to deliver quality emergency programming.
• Liaises and collaborates with existing formal and informal community leaders and service providers, government structures, local authorities and CBOs/NGOs in organizing joint MHPSS work.
• Ensures implementation in accordance with IASC and Sphere standards and in close coordination with HIAS’ Technical Directors and the Emergency Department; contributes to monitoring and reporting of emergency activities.
• Represents HIAS in relevant coordination groups and clusters as requested, and coordinates closely with implementing partners, other international NGO’s, UN agencies, host government, bilateral and multilateral donors, and other principle stakeholders.
• Where appropriate, provides timely and accurate information to the Global Public Affairs team in support of communications, media and advocacy efforts around the humanitarian emergency; this will include ensuring that all information, publicity and fundraising material recognizes and respects the dignity of those affected by disasters or emergencies.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS:

• Graduate degree in psychology, social work or related field preferred.
• 3-5 years of experience in emergency/humanitarian MHPSS work, of which at least 2 years must be in the field in complex, challenging and/or insecure environments.
• English fluency required; Spanish fluency preferred.
• Dynamic individual with a proven ability to achieve results in a demanding, fast-paced and often insecure environment.
• Demonstrated experience in a technical and/or management-level role in field-level emergency programming.
• Demonstrated experience in implementation of multi-sectoral response to MHPSS, including (but not limited to) GBV, child protection, legal response and economic inclusion.
• Knowledge/experience of mental health considerations and best practices related to the treatment for individuals impacted by displacement, conflict, torture, gender-based violence and other human rights violations.
• In depth understanding and practical experience with IASC MHPSS guidelines, in addition to other MHPSS global guidelines and best practices.
• Clear career trajectory reflecting a deep level of emergency technical expertise within their specific specialty area, including knowledge and understanding of the latest standards and best practices among international humanitarian and emergency actors.
• Demonstrated ability to train staff and implementing partners on MHPSS, including excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated capacity and experience in conducting field-level assessments and developing assessment tools, e.g. questionnaires, focus group discussions, etc.
• Excellent interpersonal, written and oral communication skills, including the ability to regularly communicate with, motivate and support field-based staff, as well as effectively communicate key program achievements and operational challenges.
• Willingness to travel on short notice (1-2 weeks) to complex operating environments with limited services and possibly relocate for up to three months.
• Ability to work well with others and rapidly adapt to new countries/contexts.
• Flexibility to work in challenging environments and with high workloads, potentially with limited mobility.
• Excellent organizational and problem-solving skills required.

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 HIAS recruiter.

Step 3: Video interview with the hiring manager.

Step 4: Video interview with a panel of HIAS employees.

Step 5: Online reference check with SkillSurvey.

Step 6: Offer and background check with Shield Screening.

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 • Hachnasat Orchim

We Welcome the Stranger

Justice • Justicia • Justice • Tzedek

We Pursue Justice

Empathy • Empatía • Empathie • Chesed

We Approach our Clients with Empathy

Partnership • Compañerismo • Coopération • Chevruta

We Believe in Changing the World through Partnership

Courage • Coraje • Courage • Ometz

We Act with Courage to Build a Better World

Resilience • Resiliencia • Résilience • Ruach

We Adapt and Thrive, Continuously Demonstrating our Resilience

DIVERSITY:

HIAS is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. As an equal opportunity employer, 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.

How to apply

https://hias.hrmdirect.com/employment/job-opening.php?req=2267112&&cust_sort1=-1/&&nohd#job