MHPSS Delegate - Syria

Title: MHPSS Delegate
Place of assignment: Damascus, Syria, with regular travels in-country
Type of posting: International Delegate, unaccompanied
Desired starting date: February 1, 2025
Contract period: 12 months, with the possibility of extension

Background 

The Swedish Red Cross (SRC) has a close cooperation with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) and has been present with staff in Syria since 2019, with the aim of supporting the National Society’s efforts to respond to the humanitarian needs and to build resilience of vulnerable communities in the country. SRC supports SARC’s health programming with primary health care clinics, emergency health, and mental health and psychosocial support services (MHPSS), as well as contributing to relief operations. SRC supports Palestinian Red Crescent Society Syrian branch (PRCS-S) in community services and PSS. SRC works in collaboration with the various Red Cross and Red Crescent movement partners present in Syria.

Your role in the organization

The Regional Unit for Middle East, North Africa, Americas and Asia Pacific (MENA AP) is part of the SRC International Department and managed by the Head of Unit. The MHPSS Delegate position is based in Damascus, Syria, and reports to the Country Representative who is responsible for SRC’s program activities in the country. The MHPSS Delegate works closely with SARC, and in coordination with ICRC, IFRC and other partner national societies supporting SARC’s health programming.

Through regular follow up, monitoring, assessments and technical input, the MHPSS Delegate contributes to and supports SARC in effective and qualitative project implementation, with special attention to mainstreaming of protection, gender, and inclusion. The Delegate also ensures proper evaluation and reporting. 

Key duties and responsibilities  

• Provide expert technical assistance in designing and implementing MHPSS interventions that align with global standards, while offering tailored guidance for responding to emergencies such as natural disasters and conflict-related crises and supporting SARC in adapting these services to ensure they remain relevant and responsive to the evolving needs of the country
• Work closely with the SRC Domestic Health and Care Department to ensure the continuity of capacity-building initiatives and knowledge-sharing
• Cooperate with ICRC on the Partnership Agreement for the technical support in capacity- building of Mental Health Services in the national society
• Assist the national societies in integrating MHPSS services into primary healthcare (PHC) settings and other health facilities, ensuring the development and sustainability of these services 
• Ensure the cross-cutting themes (protection, gender and inclusion, community engagement and accountability) are mainstreamed in project implementation and considered in monitoring, reporting and learning of MHPSS activities 
• Ensure systematic data collection, monitoring, evaluation processes and reporting for MHPSS programs to ensure the quality, continuity, and sustainability of care.
• Coordinate with Movement Partners and other international actors to ensure coordinated MHPSS interventions in Syria
• Represent the SRC in national and regional MHPSS coordination meetings and working groups

Your profile

You excel in teamwork and have the ability to communicate effectively. As a person you are compassionate, resilient, and pragmatic. You are good at planning and organizing your work. You are a champion of accountability, respecting everyone you meet, inspiring trust and dependability in your actions and decisions.

This role demands that you are confident in working independently. You have strong technical knowledge of MHPSS interventions, including trauma-informed care, CBT, and community-based psychosocial support and clinical supervision experience. You also understand well that SRC is not directly implementing programs, but supporting the national societies in delivering health programming in Syria.  

As an SRC employee, you share the Red Cross Red Crescent humanitarian values including diversity and actively work against all forms of discrimination. You understand, respect, and comply with the SRC Code of Conduct and security rules and regulations.

Required qualifications:

• Minimum five years’ experience in mental health programming/management with at least 2 years of experience with a humanitarian organization/RCRC National Society in a humanitarian setting
• Documented experience of working in contexts with high security risks (conflicts and/or complex emergencies)
• Master’s degree in psychology or psychiatry, and a valid license to practice
• Demonstrated experience providing technical advice, strategic planning, and conducting evaluations
• Excellent command of English, spoken and written

 Desired qualifications:

• Experience in and knowledge of the Middle East and North Africa
• Previous RCRC Movement experience
• Expertise in protection, gender, inclusion, and community engagement and accountability
• Hostile Environment Awareness Training (HEAT) or equivalent 
• Good command of Arabic is a strong asset

Other requirements:

• In line with the principle of neutrality, SRC does not assign personnel to a country of which they are nationals
• Candidates must be in good health and are required to pass a medical check-up prior to departure in the field
• Candidates must hold a manual driving license and have experience in driving manual transmission vehicles

The recruitment process

The application deadline is November 27^th 2024. Our recruitment process includes cognitive and administrative tests, interviews, background checks and references. Candidates who are selected for roles with the Swedish Red Cross undergo a background check before an offer of employment is given. As the Swedish Red Cross is part of the Inter-Agency Scheme for the Disclosure of Safeguarding-related Misconduct, one of the three references given must be from the candidate`s current or most recent employer. Final candidates will also be screened against EU and UN sanction lists. Please note that the recruitment process will only commence once the deadline for application has passed.

For more information about the position, please contact: Henna Korte, Country Representative Syria, Swedish Red Cross, at   [email protected]

Please let us know if you require any specific accommodation in the recruitment process to ensure an inclusive and fair experience. You can do this by reaching out to Melissa Mann, HR Partner, Swedish Red Cross, at [email protected]

Only applications made through our website will be considered. We kindly decline any offer of services from recruitment agencies or consultants.