Regional Technical Specialist (STR) Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (SMSPS) At Humanity & Inclusion

Context and challenges of the position:

Humanity & Inclusion | Handicap International (HI), a non-profit international solidarity organization, implements humanitarian and development actions aimed at improving access to essential services, strengthening community resilience and promoting inclusion. HI’s interventions revolve around several axes: physical and functional rehabilitation, mental health and psychosocial support, inclusive education, protection, food security and livelihoods, reduction of risks linked to explosive devices, conflict transformation as well as advocacy for the rights of people with disabilities. HI’s approach is based on community participation, the promotion of “do no harm” and the search for lasting impact in the service of human dignity.

For the past year, HI has initiated a process of regionalization and decentralization of its operational governance, aiming to bring decision-making closer to local realities. This development is accompanied by a reinforced pooling of resources, a harmonization of practices and an increased search for programmatic coherence within its various intervention frameworks. The teams from Benin, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Chad and Togo collaborate in a close and integrated manner within the SAO (Sahel West Africa) regional space.

In this context, HI SAO is recruiting a Regional Technical Specialist in Mental Health and Psychosocial Support to contribute to the implementation of the organization’s mandate and operational strategy.

Contract type: Fixed-term contract under local law

Duration of contract: 01 year

Desired start date: October 1st

Missions:

Under the supervision of the Technical Head of Program and in functional liaison with the global technical specialist MHPSS, the Regional Technical Specialist Mental Health Psychosocial Support plays a key role in the SAO region (Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Togo, Benin, Chad). He/She:

• Leverages technical expertise and interpersonal skills to define and implement HI’s strategic vision in SMSPS, drawing on global STRATECHs and within the relevant region
• Is responsible for the development of technical and partnership strategy, technical design and implementation of high quality projects and programs
• Provides technical support to projects and strengthens the capacities of technical and non-technical staff on topics related to SMSPS
• Contributes to the design and implementation of monitoring and evaluation systems to ensure project quality control and demonstrate program effects; disseminates lessons learned and concepts to teams and partners
• Supports advocacy and influence activities at regional and national levels, while developing strategic partnerships at different levels (sub-regional, national, local) in line with HI’s commitment to aid localization.
• Provides external representation on key technical issues
• Works closely with Regional Technical Specialists from other sectors, Senior Technical Officers (STOs), and Global Specialists from headquarters

Responsibility 1: Technical expertise

1.1 Leads the SMSPS strategy and contributes to regional and global strategic thinking

• Provides specific SMSPS technical input to the Regional Operational Strategy (StratOp) in line with the Global Technical Strategy (StraTech)
• Leads the development and monitoring of the regional SMSPS strategy and ensures its implementation in the different countries where it operates
• Contributes to synergies and promotes integrated programming approaches with other sectors, based on strategic and operational priorities and standard projects
• Supports HI’s technical assistance (TA) strategy to help development actors, as well as public and private service providers, become more expert

1.2 Provides technical support to projects in accordance with global SMSPS standards and technical frameworks

• Develops and contextualizes technical guidance and specific tools related to SMSPS (including contextual analysis, needs assessment, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, etc.)
• Provides technical advice and support to a portfolio of projects in development, emergency and protracted crisis contexts
• Supports programs in designing strategies aligned with a Nexus approach and is prepared for emergency responses
• Integrates and promotes transversal approaches to HI: the Disability-Gender-Age (DGA) marker, sensitivity to conflicts and the transversalization of protection in its interventions

1.3 Ensures control and monitoring of technical quality

• Carries out technical monitoring missions in the field to support teams and partners through training evaluations, internal audits, team coaching, etc.
• Applies and adapts quality control tools and frameworks (project reviews, checklists, dashboards) as defined by headquarters, alerts the THoP and reports any problems or needs for adaptation of the technical quality framework
• Provides technical support to country teams during key phases of the project cycle (design, implementation, evaluation)
• Recommends program adaptations in response to potential contextual changes (e.g., humanitarian crises)

Responsibility 2: Business development

2.1 Ensures strategic technical monitoring

• Monitors regional dynamics and multi-stakeholder initiatives to anticipate opportunities for collaboration and tracks trends in SMSPS in relation to national and regional contextual developments.
• Analyzes internal strengths and weaknesses taking into account the institutional ecosystem and ensures that proposals are consistent with strategic frameworks and donor requirements.
• Contributes to the strategic monitoring of relevant calls for proposals at the regional level

2.2 Develops strategic partnerships

• Identifies opportunities for partnerships and/or consortia with development and humanitarian actors, research institutes, multilateral organizations within the global framework.
• Helps teams develop strategic partnerships with local, national and international organizations based on technical needs and complementarities, as part of HI’s commitment to aid localization.

2.3 Supports the development and writing of new project proposals.

• Provides technical support to national teams in the drafting of concept notes and proposals, guaranteeing the technical quality of intervention logics, results frameworks and budgets.
• Leads or contributes to the writing of concept notes and proposals.
• Supports and/or develops technical assistance (TA) offers in order to support and strengthen the capacities of partners and development actors.

2.4 Represents HI in external coordination and advocacy spaces

• Actively participates in relevant regional SMSPS groups (clusters, alliances, inter-agency groups)
• In collaboration with the Institutional Finance Division (DFI), identifies potential donors (private and institutional), networks, partners, NGOs and advocacy groups aligned with HI’s technical and strategic vision, and ensures development of technical and strategic links.

2.5 Contributes to technical visibility and external communication

• Supports the technical visibility of the organization through presentations, publications and participation in regional and national events or workshops, with the aim of strengthening the recognition and credibility of HI in SMSPS.
• Produces content (capacity declarations, project sheets, thematic sheets) in order to promote HI’s approaches and positioning in SMSPS to an external audience.

Responsibility 3: Knowledge management /lessons learned

3.1 Coordinates a knowledge management system and promotes research and innovation initiatives

· Designs participatory tools and processes to document field experiences (case studies, lessons learned, innovations); identifies lessons learned through recommendations from evaluations

· Leads transnational learning workshops and actively participates in global communities of practice (CoPs)

· Contributes to the drafting of analytical reports, technical notes and capitalization documents, and ensures their dissemination both internally and externally

· Facilitates reflection and the development of innovative thematic outcomes, ensuring that issues related to gender, disability, adaptation to climate change and digital transformation are meaningfully integrated into programming

3.2 Supports and ensures capacity building of technical and non-technical staff (executives, technical managers, etc.) in accordance with the globally defined framework

· Participates in recruitment (“R” for technical tests and technical interviews) and validation of technical positions within projects

· Provides training for new employees so that they become familiar with SMSPS priorities and objectives

· Carries out training needs assessments in collaboration with teams in the field.

• Contributes to staff capacity development through the implementation and monitoring of a capacity building plan, including training and support mechanisms, to promote lifelong learning in accordance with HI’s professional skills frameworks

Candidate profile

• Master’s degree in psychology (clinical, intercultural social), or other university degree in Humanities with significant experience in the field of mental health and psychosocial support in humanitarian, development or emergency contexts
• Minimum 7 years of professional experience and relevant practice in the field of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in a technical position within an NGO.
• Proven experience developing SMSPS strategies in complex environments.
• At least 3 years of experience in sub-Saharan African countries, particularly in the Sahel and West Africa, with a good knowledge of regional dynamics.
• Work experience related to disability, marginalized groups, or contexts of violence/conflict is strongly desired.

Skills required

• Excellent command of concepts, international standards and good practices in mental health and psychosocial support, including in emergency, post-crisis and development contexts.
• Expertise in designing and piloting community-based SMSPS interventions, including through integrated approaches with other sectors (protection, education, health, livelihoods, risk reduction, etc.).
• Good knowledge of approaches focused on rights, inclusion, resilience, conflict sensitivity and consideration of gender, age and disability.
• Mastery of contextual analysis techniques, SMSPS needs assessment and specific monitoring and evaluation tools.
• Proven experience in developing training modules, educational materials, technical tools, and in leading capacity building workshops with teams and partners.
• Ability to support aid localization processes, including strengthening local partners.
• Strong technical writing skills (reports, concept notes, capitalization documents, etc.).
• Strong understanding of the principles of Inclusive Humanitarian Action (AHI) and standards of humanitarian protection, particularly in contexts of crisis, displacement and increased vulnerability.
• Ability to integrate disability, gender, age (HGA) dimensions into projects, regional strategies and technical tools.
• Experience in implementing advocacy and awareness-raising actions for the inclusion and protection of the most marginalized groups.
• Skills in intersectoral technical coordination, linked to the protection and principles of “Do No Harm”.
• Desired experience in developing technical partnerships with networks, donors, research institutes or sectoral platforms.
• Experience in quality monitoring and evaluation or contribution to research/innovations is an asset.

Salary conditions

Depending on HI’s salary scale in the country of the person selected.