Overview
The Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Specialist will lead the design and implementation of the mental health component of a programmer supporting Ukrainian law enforcement, focusing on MHPSS and trauma resilience.
Key Responsibilities
- Conduct a rapid assessment of mental health needs for selected Ukrainian law enforcement personnel.
- Develop and facilitate Training of Trainers (ToT) material.
- Produce a report based on in-person interviews.
- Lead the design and implementation of mental health and psychosocial support activities.
- Map baseline needs and ongoing initiatives and translate them into a training curriculum.
- Conduct desk review and structured interviews with MHPSS representatives and stakeholders.
- Assess MHPSS needs and discuss appropriate language and framing of MHPSS topics.
- Identify target audiences and stakeholders and tailor outreach strategies.
- Liaise with similar initiatives in Ukraine to ground the programme and support its sustainability.
- Produce a brief report detailing findings, observations, and recommendations.
- Contribute to the finalization of the scope of work for MHPSS.
- Coordinate with the UNOPS Mine Action Team to integrate MHPSS activities.
- Contribute to the design, develop, and facilitation of MHPSS-specific modules, including Training of Trainers (ToT), Team Leader Skills, Psychological Safety, and Safeguarding.
- Support the potential development of additional training for first responders/medics.
- Work closely with the UNOPS Mine Action Team’s Gender and Diversity Inclusion Specialist to ensure an intersectional approach.
- Provide MHPSS support to trainees, including group sessions or exercises and linking participants to existing services.
- Participate in knowledge-sharing initiatives, contributing insights and lessons learned.
Required Experience
- Relevant experience is work on the development of MHPSS training and capacity building programs for non-mental health professionals or related areas.
- At least 2 years experience facilitating and delivering MHPSS training to diverse audiences.
- At least 1 year experience conducting organizational assessments related to MHPSS, ideally within high-risk or security-sector environments.
- Desired: Experience working in multicultural environments or UN system organizations.
- Desired: Experience working with the police forces, military, veteran organizations, and/or with similar populations that work within high-stress and trauma environments.
- Strong coordination and program management skills.
- Ability to work within short timeframes and high-pressure environments.
- Strong advocate for MHPSS with teams that are not well sensitized to this topic.
Qualifications
Required Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in psychology, psychiatry, social work, or a closely related mental health or social sciences discipline or related fields with 7 years of relevant experience OR Master’s degree (or equivalent) in any of the above or related fields with 5 years of relevant experience is required.
