Psychosocial Support Manager

Psychosocial Support Manager

Freetown, Sierra Leone

Contribute to the mitigation of the emotional and psychological trauma experienced by community members affected by the Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone. Provide hands on training and oversight to a team of national staff dedicated to the Psychosocial Support (PSS) of Ebola survivors, families of those who died from Ebola in the Kuntorloh ETC, and other targeted groups affected directly by the Ebola outbreak. Provide capacity building to the psychosocial team as well as health workers in targeted health facilities. Oversee in close collaboration with the field Health Advisor on all psychosocial related monitoring, data analysis and progress reporting. Support assessment, design and implementation of potential future social and behaviour mobilisation activities in new project areas as requested.

Project Overview

To reduce morbidity and mortality caused by the Ebola outbreak for vulnerable populations in Sierra Leone. Medair supports Lifeline Nehemiah (social mobilisation and psychosocial support) in providing NFIs, top up food rations, health promotion and daily symptom tracking to quarantined homes.  As part of the transition to recovery, Medair will be supporting improved access to primary health care services in 7 health facilities including support for WASH and community mobilization and behaviour change. Psychosocial Support (PSS) is also a significant component of this project following the trauma experienced during the Ebola outbreak.

Workplace         

Freetown, Sierra Leone

Starting Date

October 2015

Initial Contract Details

Full time, until the end of March 2016, longer based on funding

Key Activity Areas

Technical Psychosocial Management

• Responsible for the implementation, management, supervision and support of the assigned psychosocial project(s) in line with the activity plan and time frame of the relevant project proposal(s) and any applicable national and international guidelines and standards.
• Coordinate with NGOs and other entities (WHO, UN, IFRC) delivering psychosocial support as well as setting up bilateral meetings as needed to avoid duplication of services.
• Coordinate with Medair management team to integrate psychosocial aspects into both health and wash activities at the facility and community level.
• Review the current data collection and documentation systems in light of monitoring and evaluation best practices and ensure that regular monitoring and evaluation assessments are conducted both against project objectives and quality measurement indicators, with reports being made to the field Health Advisor. Work towards streamlining paper processes to more time efficient systems for real-time data collection and mapping, and coordinate with other national and international actors with similar activities.

Staff Management

• Support management of the psychosocial team supervisors and staff including providing input on recruitment, day-to-day management, development and training, appraisals, and any observed irregularities, etc.
• Ensure the psychosocial team supervisors and staff receive relevant and appropriate supervision, coaching, mentoring and training in order to develop their personal and professional skills, knowledge and understanding. This may be through on-the-job training and taught sessions.

Financial Management

• Work with the Health Advisor and Project Support Manager/Finance Manager to plan, construct and manage psychosocial aspects of budgets for the assigned psychosocial project(s).

Communication and Coordination

• Develop and maintain appropriate, regular, transparent and supportive communication structures with the psychosocial team, Medair in-country and HQ health advisors and other relevant stakeholders (e.g. beneficiaries, community leaders, local and national government officials, UN agencies and other NGOs).

Logistics

• Manage the correct and timely ordering (within budgetary constraints) of all necessary psychosocial supplies and equipment for the assigned activities, ensuring minimum stocks are maintained and items are stored and distributed correctly. 

Qualifications

• Counselling, social work, public health, social sciences (such as medical anthropology) or education degree

Languages

• Strong working knowledge of English (spoken and written)

Experience / Competencies

• Minimum 1 year experience in training and capacity building of local staff and doing implementing PSS in a developing country
• Working knowledge of Psychosocial evidenced based methodologies
• Technical PSS and management skills within a humanitarian setting desirable
• Able to develop and maintain effective relationships with colleagues, beneficiaries, other agencies and local authorities
• Experience of living and working in a multi-cultural team desirable
• Team-player with good inter-personal skills
• Capacity to work under pressure and manage personal stress levels

Medair Standard Working Requirements for the Field

• Experienced professionals in a relevant field; Overseas intercultural experience
• Committed Christians; commitment to the Medair values
• Strong working knowledge of English, spoken and written
• Working knowledge of French, spoken and written, for French-speaking field programmes
• Single or married (with no children under 18). If married, your spouse must also apply.
• Successful completion of Medair Relief & Recovery Orientation Course (ROC)
• Reflect the vision and values of Medair with team members, local staff, beneficiaries, external contacts
• Able to live and work in a multicultural team under difficult conditions
• Strong character traits, including emotional stability, adaptability, ability to handle stress, cultural and gender sensitivity, honesty, and physically fit

Benefits

• A salary based upon the grade of the position and the experience of the position-holder
• Comprehensive briefing at our Swiss headquarters, as well as an in-country briefing
• Security training for those going to particularly insecure environments
• Accommodation, food, and transportation in-country
• Return flights to and from the country programme (one return flight for every year of service)
• Rest and recuperation (R&R) leave (including travel, accommodation, and food allowance)
• Annual leave; Death and disability allowance
• Contribution matching programme for retirement savings (for experienced relief workers)
• Additional contract benefit allowance for those who commit to longer contracts
• Comprehensive medical and emergency rescue insurance, with up to 60 days post- assignment coverage, including debriefing

Working Conditions  

• This is a field-based position and working and living conditions may be very different to that previously experienced.

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