Psychosocial Advisor - Middle East

Title: Psychosocial Advisor - Middle East

Tracking Code: 218588-927

Job Location: Amman, ‘Ammān (Al ‘A̅ şimah), Jordan

Position Type: Full-Time/Regular

Job Description

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:

The Psychosocial Advisor, under the supervision of a Program Advisor, will be responsible for designing the psychosocial intervention within an OFDA-funded assistance project. S/he will work on implementation strategy, designing and delivering trainings and workshops, providing technical oversight to the Psychosocial activities, and advising on related intervention programs development.

This position will include designing assessments and surveys, developing training curriculums, and delivering trainings for Mercy Corps staff, community representatives and project stakeholders. The successful candidate will be providing day-to-day technical support to the project PM and working closely with the Program Director, to extend support in programs design. The Advisor will have strong technical and communication skills, and will be able to mentor field teams. S/he will be an effective team player, able to work with diversified teams in a challenging environment. S/he will be representing the agency in Education working groups, as well as before donor and community stakeholders. Through innovation, program development and displaying expertise in emergency humanitarian programming, the Psychosocial Advisor will be an active contributor to the achievements of the agency goals.

PROGRAM/ DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:

The aim of the nine-month OFDA-funded Humanitarian Assistance project is to provide assistance to 20,000 households, principally through partnerships with local relief committees, and technical MC field teams. 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Vision and Strategy

• Assess needs, design interventions and build capacity of Mercy Corps staff, as well as community-based volunteers and other project stakeholders.
• Lead the Mercy Corps team in identifying additional opportunities for medium- and long-term programming.
• Participate in overall strategic planning; ensure linkages into overall programming.
• Assist with new proposal and concept paper development to expand programming efforts.

Program

• Work with OFDA the Program Manager and the field-based team to develop a detailed, achievable and realistic plan for implementing the psychosocial intervention. 
• Design and deliver workshops for youth, volunteers and caretakers.
• Design psychosocial activities curriculum and activities supporting materials.
• Provide oversight to establishment of child friendly spaces, if applicable.
• Provide technical support to the Psychosocial Officer and field teams, and advise on the innovative implementation methodologies that will contribute towards effectiveness of the intervention.
• Monitor field activities to ensure all are implemented according to the plans and implementation strategies.
• Present monitoring and evaluation data in a final project report.

Reporting, Monitoring and Evaluation:

• Work closely with M&E unit on establishing and maintaining effective activities reporting, monitoring and evaluation systems for both internal and external use in coordination with the program and M&E staff.

Security

• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
• Proactive ensure team members operate in secure in environment and aware of policies.

Representation:

• Maintain internal and external relationships to ensure program success including contacts with international and local NGOs working in the emergency sector, beneficiaries and the general public.
• Attend sector specific coordination meetings.

Organizational Learning: As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve - we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.

Accountability to Beneficiaries: Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: None

ACCOUNTABILITY:

REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: OFDA Program Manager

WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Field-based logistics and finance teams, HQ-based Program Operations, Finance, and TSU staff

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

• A Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology, psychology, and MS in Psychology, early childhood development, arts therapy, non formal education, communications or a related program preferred.
• At least 3 years (at least one in field setting) with social revitalization programming experience or other programs responsive to the specific needs of children.
• Working experience from conflict zones, with displaced and host communities, highly desirable.
• Experience supervising national staff, starting up programs and working in emergency and transitional programming.
• Fluency in English required; a high level of proficiency in Arabic preferable.
• Knowledge of humanitarian standards and codes, including SPHERE and IASC.
• Experience with materials development.

SUCCESS FACTORS:

The successful Advisor will combine exceptional technical skills and experience in maintaining donor and partner relationships.  S/he will have an outstanding ability to design and provide technical oversight of innovative programs within the current and future program structure of Mercy Corps in the area. S/he will also have proven experience with cross-cultural team and capacity building, individual staff development and strong mentoring skills.

S/he will have previous experience in implementing large scale emergency programs in insecure and conflict context. Prioritizing, problem solving, ability to seize opportunities, attention to detail and strategic vision are all essential. The most successful Mercy Corps staff members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and changing environments and make effective written and verbal communication a priority in all situations.

LIVING /ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

This unaccompanied position will be based in  the Middle East with frequent travel as needed.  This position will be required to reside in group housing in an austere environment; a successful candidate must be able to work in an environment with power, water, transportation and communication challenges. The team member must follow all security protocols at all times.

Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

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