Overview
The Mental Health and Psychosocial Support National Specialist will contribute to MHPSS programming under Child Protection, strengthening the capacity of UNICEF partners to promote the mental health and wellbeing of children, adolescents, and caregivers impacted by armed conflict.
Key Responsibilities
- Contribute to the design and refinement of MHPSS program interventions for UNICEF partners based on impact assessment findings, ensuring contextual appropriateness and alignment with UNICEF and IASC MHPSS guidelines.
- Establish and support the implementation of clear quality standards and minimum service requirements for MHPSS programming, conducting regular monitoring and oversight.
- Provide technical inputs to the development of age and audience-appropriate MHPSS key messages.
- Support the finalization of a parenting manual and develop practical coping strategies and tools for parents and caregivers.
- Design and facilitate self-care and wellbeing sessions for UNICEF colleagues and partners.
- Develop practical monitoring tools and checklists to monitor performance with an emphasis on service quality.
- Develop, maintain, and regularly update MHPSS service mapping to strengthen referrals and effective use of existing services.
- Work closely with the Child Protection team and engage with other program sectors and UN agencies to ensure MHPSS services are well-coordinated and complementary.
- Support in organizing regular UNICEF MHPSS focal point meetings and promote knowledge sharing.
Required Experience
- A minimum of 3 years of relevant and proven experiences in MHPSS programming and leading child protection programs in a development/humanitarian context.
- Experience in child-focused and community-based MHPSS using the IASC MHPSS guidelines and relevant IASC endorsed and promoted tools.
- Experience in delivering capacity building trainings, coaching, and self-care, strengthening various duty bearers’ understanding and implementation of MHPSS.
- Culturally sensitive and able to adapt to difficult contexts.
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in social work, psychology or a related field is required; preferably supported by diploma or certificate in mental health, child protection, or a related discipline.
