Danish Red Cross has been present in Syria since 2006 and our primary partnership is with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC). Syria has experienced over a decade of conflict, the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, and is currently facing an important economic crisis. The cumulative impact of which continues to erode the resilience of the population and plunges more people into extreme vulnerability. SARC bears a central role in supporting the most vulnerable people affected by conflict, across the frontlines and in hard-to-reach areas. Danish Red Cross is supporting SARC in becoming an effective and efficient organisation in the delivery of healthcare, psychosocial support, and relief services to the Syrian population and in becoming more generally a strong humanitarian actor in a post-war setting. DRC also maintains a programme supporting the Palestine Red Crescent Society branch in Syria (PRCS/S) which delivers services to the Palestinian Refugee population.

Purpose:
The MHPSS Specialist, in agreement and collaboration with the SARC CSP Unit, will provide technical support on SARC PSS/Protection programming supported by Movement partners (IFRC, ICRC and Partner National Societies) or external partners ensuring that SARC PSS/Protection responses are well coordinated and integrated within SARC.

Main tasks and responsibilities:

• Support and advise SARC programme teams implementing PSS/Protection activities.
• Ensure that Movement partners work according to the strategic and operational plans of the SARC CSP Unit.
• Ensure alignment with the International RCRC Movement MHPSS Policy, Resolution and Road Map.
• Work in accordance with DRCs internationally strategy, DRC health/MHPSS framework and relevant guidelines.
• Support development of SARC PSS/Protection M&E Framework.
• Support SARC on MHPSS Coordination amongst Movement partners and encourage alignment of PSS/Protection M&E approaches for PSS/protection amongst relevant Movement partners.
• Advocate for Movement partners to support the establishment of a SARC caring for staff and volunteers’ system.
• Jointly with SARC participate in relevant inter-agency coordination beyond the Movement and engage with national and international MHPSS stakeholders to facilitate coordination outside the RCRC Movement.
• In collaboration with SARC, develop/adapt tools and material to be used in the implementation of PSS/Protection activities, as required, and agreed with SARC.
• Assess jointly with SARC any training needs of SRCS staff and volunteers and based on these identified training needs, coordinate with SARC and support thematic and competencies trainings on MHPSS and provide post-training on-the-job support to SARC staff and volunteers, as per identified needs.
• Support overall DRC programme development and fundraising as a contribution to DRC wider response to the Syria Crisis

Experience and Qualifications

• Mental health and psychosocial professional (psychologist, psychiatrist, clinical social worker). Equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.
• 7+ years of relevant and progressive experience working in MHPSS/Protection related field, including minimum of 4 years of professional experience coordinating MHPSS//Protection projects in humanitarian settings.
• Demonstrable technical expertise in the assessment, design, and delivery of responses to MHPSS/Protection needs in humanitarian settings.
• Proven experience in coordination of MHPSS/Protection projects in humanitarian settings.
• Previous experience in working with external MHPSS/Protection partners.
• Proven experience in capacity development of external partners
• Fluency in written and spoken English language is mandatory
• Fluency in Arabic will be considered a strong asset
• Excellent diplomacy, communication, coordination, negotiation, networking and facilitation skills, and able to work collaboratively.
• Ability to work within a team structure or independently, flexible, and can cope with stressful workload.
• Personal Leadership and Effectiveness: Strategic and analytical thinking, process and result oriented.
• Understanding that process and ownership are key to achieving results in culturally and politically sensitive environments.
• Strong and empathetic personality, able to mentor and support teams in challenging contexts.
• A valid international driving license.

You will become part of the World’s largest humanitarian organization
The Red Cross Red Crescent Movement is the world’s largest humanitarian organization. We help people on both sides of a conflict and in the remotest corners of the world, regardless of their religion, race or political views. The Red Cross is always there. We save lives every day, and we equip people with the tools they need to get through crises and disasters. We are part of your local community no matter where you live. With your help, we can be wherever we are needed, always. We are passionate about what we do – and we are proud of our job!

International Department in the Danish Red Cross supports vulnerable people in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East, in close cooperation with Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in more than 30 countries, and have an annual turnover of more than 750 million Danish kroner annually. We work specifically on building preparedness and response capacity. DRC works both with long term activities and short-term response particular within health, disaster preparedness and response.

We offer a meaningful work at a purpose-driven workplace with truly engaged colleagues. We focus on professional challenges, well-being and a flexible organizing of your work life. All of us contribute to a great work environment and colleagueship.