Co-Chair of the IASC MHPSS Reference Group in PS Technical Advisors

The IFRC Psychosocial Centre is looking for a new MHPSS in Emergencies Specialist to take over the role of Co-Chairing the IASC Reference Group on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings (IASC MHPSS RG) alongside the WHO. You will contribute to coordinating global MHPSS work in humanitarian contexts, interacting with multiple agencies at HQ, regional and country-level, in addition to liaising with other team members working on emergencies from the International Red Cross Red Crescent Movement.

The International Red Cross Red Crescent Movement is the world’s largest humanitarian network and we are looking for a Co-Chair of the IASC MHPSS Reference Group in PS Technical Advisors. As Co-Chair of the IASC MHPSS Reference Group at the IFRC Psychosocial Centre you will be responsible for the coordination and implementation of the IASC Reference Group on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support’s workplan.

Your main tasks include:

• Maintaining strong coordination between IASC MHPSS RG members, and facilitation of the IASC MHPSS RG workplan.
• Providing remote and in-country technical support on MHPSS emergency programmes and coordination to MHPSS working groups in humanitarian contexts.
• Providing technical support to the inter-agency MHPSS surge mechanism, and the experts deployed by it.
• Continuing humanitarian diplomacy efforts on different levels (donors, humanitarian system, in emergency-affected countries).
• Representing the IASC MHPSS RG in international fora (e.g., at the IASC Secretariat, Global Clusters, international meetings).
• Facilitation and coordination of the IASC MHPSS RG annual meeting and the MHPSS working group Co-Chairs face-face retreat.
• Conducting capacity building initiatives on the IASC MHPSS Guidelines and other related products (e.g., IASC MHPSS Coordinators Handbook, Minimum Service Package for MHPSS etc).
• Deploying at a short notice to humanitarian/ emergency contexts.
• Reporting to back donors and the IASC Secretariat.
• Technical supervision of the Communications and Coordination Officer for IASC MHPSS RG (position also hosted within the IFRC PS Centre).
• Staff can be asked to assist the Head of MHPSS Advisors Unit (Direct Line Manager) or fellow colleagues in other ad hoc tasks and projects.

As Co-Chair of the IASC MHPSS Reference Group you will become part of an international engaging andpassionate team of nine MHPSS Advisors at the PS Technical Advisors. The IFRC Reference Centre for Psychosocial Support (PS Centre) is an outsourced function of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies Secretariat. The PS Centre is hosted by Danish Red Cross in Copenhagen. The PS Centre assists National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies around the world with capacity building in mental health psychosocial support in areas which have been affected by armed conflict, natural disaster and other emergencies/ crises. The PS Centre does not work directly with the affected population but rather assists the 191 National Societies of the Red Cross Red Crescent network, the IFRC and the ICRC. The PS Centre aims to improve mental health and psychosocial well-being through operational assistance, capacity development of National Societies, competence development of staff and volunteers, knowledge generation and knowledge sharing, and communication and humanitarian diplomacy.

Humour, kindness, a multi-cultural work environment and collaboration are key in our everyday work, whilst we have our eyes on quality, deadlines and developmental potentials. We offer meaningful work at a purpose-driven workplace with truly engaged multi-cultural and international colleagues. We focus on professional challenges, well-being and a flexible organizing of your work life. All of us contribute to a positive and supportive work environment. As Co-Chair of the IASC MHPSS Reference Group you will refer to Head of MHPSS Technical Unit, Sarah Harrison.

We believe that you fit this position, if

• you have 7 years (or more) operational and programmatic experience in mental health and psychosocial support in emergency contexts,
• a Master’s degree (or PhD) in psychology, social work, global mental health or psychiatry,
• you have strong networking and coordination skills,
• you are confident in public speaking and humanitarian diplomacy,
• you are able to manage and navigate large and complex processes and partnerships,
• you have strong oral and written English language skills,
• you are confident in working in French or Spanish language,
• you can write clearly and for a variety of audiences – policy, management and technical,
• you can develop positive relationships and build trust,
• you are flexible,
• you posses good stress management skills,
• you are willing to travel to humanitarian contexts (and at short notice).

Knowledge/ previous experience with the International Red Cross Red Crescent Movement is preferred.