Job ID
44493
Job Title
Senior MHPSS Officer
To work for
International Rescue Committee
Country
Syria
City
Edleb
Field of Work
Humanitarian/Disasters
Job Type
Full time
Military service
Not Specified
Minimum Education Level
Baccalaureate
Responsibilities
Job overview:
The mental health and psychosocial support senior officer will oversee the overall technical oversight of MHPSS services for the IRC's Whole of Syria MHPSS programs. The MHPSS Manager will provide technical support to IRC-supported MHPSS programs in Syria on clinical management of mental health conditions and coordinate the integration of MHPSS within health programs using the WHO/ UNHCR Mental Health Gap Action Program (mhGAP) training and guidelines. This position is key to ensuring quality MHPSS services are provided by the IRC and its partners in Northwest Syria and newly accessible areas.
Responsibilities:
Technical Program Management:
Provide strategic direction, leadership, and overall management to Mental Health and psychosocial programs in the Whole of Syria.
Build the capacity of the MHPSS team through providing context-specific training in line with WHO/UNHCR mhGAP intervention guidelines, and ongoing mentorship and supportive supervision.
In coordination and collaboration with the field staff, set up a system to monitor the day-to-day MHPSS activities implemented directly or through partners.
Review monthly mental health reports.
Set up a mechanism for capturing and sharing standard methodologies and lessons learned among MHPSS health teams.
Provide MHPSS technical support to mental health, community health teams, as well as IRC partner organizations.
Provide remote training, mentorship, and monitoring and evaluation assistance to psychologists providing psychological interventions, working inside the IRC-supported health facilities.
Coordinate with the mental health providers to ensure standardized data collection tools are used across mental health teams, with a special focus on tracking referrals and follow-up.
Collaborate with local partners to set up and coordinate community-based non-specialized MHPSS activities.
Develop standard operating procedures (SOPs) and protocols for mental health and psychosocial support providers for consistent use across IRC programs (supervision mechanisms, care pathways, etc.).
Develop and ensure integrated data collection tools are used across health teams, with a special focus on referrals and follow-up using the IASC MHPSS RG referral tool.
Works in collaboration with the Protection PSS Senior Officer to ensure regular and consistent referrals to the Health teams and clinical care of complex cases is provided.
General Project & Grant Management
Supervise MHPSS staff, follow up on care plans, case documents, and files.
Regular follow-up and visits to IRC partners who implement MHPSS activities in different locations in NWS.
Ensure the implementation of all Mental Health standard protocols and methodologies set by IRC.
Provide ongoing support and supervision to MHPSS staff to enhance practice and optimize outcomes for MHPSS beneficiaries accessing IRC services.
In coordination with the MHPSS specialist, review and develop the technical material, tools, guidelines, and documents required for the mental health activities, in order to develop appropriate support for patients
Provide regular on-the-job training, workshops, and learning sessions to the MHPSS staff in their work locations.
Lead regular case conferences with mental health staff and other service providers to discuss difficult MH cases
Share problematic situations and cases with the MHPSS specialist for help with decision-making and problem resolution.
Assist in the facilitation of needed hospitalization and/or other required urgent needs.
Promote self-care and staff-care practices and processes
Collaborate with the partnership team to support the growth of the partner strategy and transition of facilities.
Coordinate the collection and management of the Mh-GAP information management system.
Support response to the identified needs by providing training for specific psychosocial groups and individual-level interventions/ activities (adapted and appropriate to each one’s specific needs and capacities).
Assess partner’s learning using a series of mentorship tools, and support the GBV case managers to assess partner’s field-based teams
Support the timely information sharing regarding challenges and needs at the field level.
Proactively engage the Health and M&E Teams to ensure efficient workflow and coordination to provide high-quality care to patients.
Set up mechanisms that ensure efficient mental health information management, including information privacy and security, and retrieval.
Work with local partner organizations and IRC teams to conduct regular analysis of MHPSS data collected from field teams in order to note trends and inform the program accordingly, as well as share information via reports as needed.
Provide direct training, supportive supervision, and monitoring and evaluation assistance to the Mental Health Social Workers providing psychological interventions, working inside the IRC-supported health facilities.
Participate in proposals that include any MHPSS activities, provide technical support, and design the activities.
Coordinate timely information sharing between IRC teams and other implementing partners regarding challenges and needs at the field level.
Represent IRC in internal and external forums as needed, MHPSS sub-working technical group.
Participate in the regular MHPSS service mapping in coordination with the health cluster and MHPSS technical working group.
Support the timely information sharing regarding challenges and needs at the field level
In close collaboration with the Protection and Health Coordinators, identify, establish, and maintain strategic partnerships and coordination with other service providers related to MHPSS services to ensure sharing of learning.
Ensure that all necessary MHPSS beneficiary forms and files (intake forms, progress reports, individual assessments, etc.) are completed and properly stored as per IRC protocols.
Evaluate beneficiary satisfaction and quality of care provided.
Assess and evaluate the quality of all MHPSS activities and interventions taking place in the field.
Responsible for compiling reports on current activities to be submitted to the Grants team.
Assist in the analysis of data to detect potential risk factors influencing the mental health status of the surrounding population.
Staff Performance Management, Learning & Development
Hire, supervise, and build the capacity of team members in relevant technical and management competencies.
Develop and implement remote management capacity-building approaches to build the strengths of the teams in Syria.
Coach, train, supervise, and mentor direct-report staff, including communicating clear expectations, setting annual performance objectives, providing regular and timely positive and constructive performance feedback, and providing documented semi-annual performance reviews.
Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.
Approve and manage time, attendance and leave requests to ensure adequate departmental coverage; ensure monthly, accurate timesheet submission and carry out probationary reviews.
Hold high-quality meetings with each direct report on a regular and predictable basis, minimally on a monthly basis.
Provide a measurable development plan including on-the-job learning with the aim of strengthening technical capacity, exchanging knowledge within the team and providing guidance on career paths.
As required, identify staff performance issues and work with Human Resources to document and address these in accordance with the National Staff Employment Policies.
Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.
Promote and monitor staff care and well-being. Model healthy work-life balance practices. Support appropriate interventions in response to identified staff care needs of both national and international staff.
Look for opportunities to support staff in their career growth, where appropriate.
Adhere to and act in accordance with the IRC Global HR Policies and Procedures, and communicate through word and example a high standard of compliance with all applicable policies and regulations.
Conduct regular reflection or program review meetings with field-based staff to assess the level of achievement and draw on learning and data trends (including client feedback) to further inform program design and management decisions
The mental health and psychosocial support senior officer will oversee the overall technical oversight of MHPSS services for the IRC's Whole of Syria MHPSS programs. The MHPSS Manager will provide technical support to IRC-supported MHPSS programs in Syria on clinical management of mental health conditions and coordinate the integration of MHPSS within health programs using the WHO/ UNHCR Mental Health Gap Action Program (mhGAP) training and guidelines. This position is key to ensuring quality MHPSS services are provided by the IRC and its partners in Northwest Syria and newly accessible areas.
Responsibilities:
Technical Program Management:
Provide strategic direction, leadership, and overall management to Mental Health and psychosocial programs in the Whole of Syria.
Build the capacity of the MHPSS team through providing context-specific training in line with WHO/UNHCR mhGAP intervention guidelines, and ongoing mentorship and supportive supervision.
In coordination and collaboration with the field staff, set up a system to monitor the day-to-day MHPSS activities implemented directly or through partners.
Review monthly mental health reports.
Set up a mechanism for capturing and sharing standard methodologies and lessons learned among MHPSS health teams.
Provide MHPSS technical support to mental health, community health teams, as well as IRC partner organizations.
Provide remote training, mentorship, and monitoring and evaluation assistance to psychologists providing psychological interventions, working inside the IRC-supported health facilities.
Coordinate with the mental health providers to ensure standardized data collection tools are used across mental health teams, with a special focus on tracking referrals and follow-up.
Collaborate with local partners to set up and coordinate community-based non-specialized MHPSS activities.
Develop standard operating procedures (SOPs) and protocols for mental health and psychosocial support providers for consistent use across IRC programs (supervision mechanisms, care pathways, etc.).
Develop and ensure integrated data collection tools are used across health teams, with a special focus on referrals and follow-up using the IASC MHPSS RG referral tool.
Works in collaboration with the Protection PSS Senior Officer to ensure regular and consistent referrals to the Health teams and clinical care of complex cases is provided.
General Project & Grant Management
Supervise MHPSS staff, follow up on care plans, case documents, and files.
Regular follow-up and visits to IRC partners who implement MHPSS activities in different locations in NWS.
Ensure the implementation of all Mental Health standard protocols and methodologies set by IRC.
Provide ongoing support and supervision to MHPSS staff to enhance practice and optimize outcomes for MHPSS beneficiaries accessing IRC services.
In coordination with the MHPSS specialist, review and develop the technical material, tools, guidelines, and documents required for the mental health activities, in order to develop appropriate support for patients
Provide regular on-the-job training, workshops, and learning sessions to the MHPSS staff in their work locations.
Lead regular case conferences with mental health staff and other service providers to discuss difficult MH cases
Share problematic situations and cases with the MHPSS specialist for help with decision-making and problem resolution.
Assist in the facilitation of needed hospitalization and/or other required urgent needs.
Promote self-care and staff-care practices and processes
Collaborate with the partnership team to support the growth of the partner strategy and transition of facilities.
Coordinate the collection and management of the Mh-GAP information management system.
Support response to the identified needs by providing training for specific psychosocial groups and individual-level interventions/ activities (adapted and appropriate to each one’s specific needs and capacities).
Assess partner’s learning using a series of mentorship tools, and support the GBV case managers to assess partner’s field-based teams
Support the timely information sharing regarding challenges and needs at the field level.
Proactively engage the Health and M&E Teams to ensure efficient workflow and coordination to provide high-quality care to patients.
Set up mechanisms that ensure efficient mental health information management, including information privacy and security, and retrieval.
Work with local partner organizations and IRC teams to conduct regular analysis of MHPSS data collected from field teams in order to note trends and inform the program accordingly, as well as share information via reports as needed.
Provide direct training, supportive supervision, and monitoring and evaluation assistance to the Mental Health Social Workers providing psychological interventions, working inside the IRC-supported health facilities.
Participate in proposals that include any MHPSS activities, provide technical support, and design the activities.
Coordinate timely information sharing between IRC teams and other implementing partners regarding challenges and needs at the field level.
Represent IRC in internal and external forums as needed, MHPSS sub-working technical group.
Participate in the regular MHPSS service mapping in coordination with the health cluster and MHPSS technical working group.
Support the timely information sharing regarding challenges and needs at the field level
In close collaboration with the Protection and Health Coordinators, identify, establish, and maintain strategic partnerships and coordination with other service providers related to MHPSS services to ensure sharing of learning.
Ensure that all necessary MHPSS beneficiary forms and files (intake forms, progress reports, individual assessments, etc.) are completed and properly stored as per IRC protocols.
Evaluate beneficiary satisfaction and quality of care provided.
Assess and evaluate the quality of all MHPSS activities and interventions taking place in the field.
Responsible for compiling reports on current activities to be submitted to the Grants team.
Assist in the analysis of data to detect potential risk factors influencing the mental health status of the surrounding population.
Staff Performance Management, Learning & Development
Hire, supervise, and build the capacity of team members in relevant technical and management competencies.
Develop and implement remote management capacity-building approaches to build the strengths of the teams in Syria.
Coach, train, supervise, and mentor direct-report staff, including communicating clear expectations, setting annual performance objectives, providing regular and timely positive and constructive performance feedback, and providing documented semi-annual performance reviews.
Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.
Approve and manage time, attendance and leave requests to ensure adequate departmental coverage; ensure monthly, accurate timesheet submission and carry out probationary reviews.
Hold high-quality meetings with each direct report on a regular and predictable basis, minimally on a monthly basis.
Provide a measurable development plan including on-the-job learning with the aim of strengthening technical capacity, exchanging knowledge within the team and providing guidance on career paths.
As required, identify staff performance issues and work with Human Resources to document and address these in accordance with the National Staff Employment Policies.
Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.
Promote and monitor staff care and well-being. Model healthy work-life balance practices. Support appropriate interventions in response to identified staff care needs of both national and international staff.
Look for opportunities to support staff in their career growth, where appropriate.
Adhere to and act in accordance with the IRC Global HR Policies and Procedures, and communicate through word and example a high standard of compliance with all applicable policies and regulations.
Conduct regular reflection or program review meetings with field-based staff to assess the level of achievement and draw on learning and data trends (including client feedback) to further inform program design and management decisions
Qualifications
Education:
University Degree in Psychology or counselling with psychotherapy, clinical, and or any other academic qualification alongside counselling psychology work experience.
Work Experience:
4 years of relevant work experience in psychosocial support/psychology, in clinical and/or direct practice settings.
2 years experience in team management.
Knowledgeable in and has used the IASC MHPSS guidelines and standard methodologies as part of their previous work experience.
Strong experience in clinical supervision, training, and/or coaching others. Experience in assessment, program design, evaluation, and technical training and supervision using WHO’s Mental Health Gap Action Program (MH-GAP).
Experience in working with partners to implement programs.
Solid understanding of case management and survivor-centered care in humanitarian settings and familiarity with both NWS and Turkey contexts.
Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:
A commitment to IRC’s mission, vision, values, and IRC Way – Professional Code of Conduct.
Strong understanding of humanitarian principles and standards.
Strong interpersonal skills demonstrate the ability to collaborate closely with partner organizations, strong written and oral communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with different types of people, including representation and liaison with external parties.
The ability to work under pressure with competing priorities and deadlines.
Full professional competency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
Credible written, presentation, and verbal communication skills; ability to convey information effectively and solid experience providing training and staff development.
Validated a sense of professional discretion, integrity, and ability to handle complex situations diplomatically and to achieve effective resolution.
Excellent management and interpersonal skills and a solid ability to promote harmonious/cohesive teamwork, in a cross-cultural context.
Validated ability to plan long-term, organize priorities, and work under administrative and programmatic pressures with detail orientation and professional patience.
Highly collaborative and resourceful; ability to establish positive working relationships with senior-level management and all other partners to maximize cooperation and productivity.
Curiosity, a desire to continually learn and develop, and a sense of humor are a must.
Analytical ability in creating effective solutions to complex matters while adhering to labor laws and internal policies.
Language/Travel:
Travel: 60% to field sites in NWS and newly accessible areas, as well as attending national, regional, and global workshops and meetings.
Proficiency in the English language is essential; and knowledge of Arabic is highly required.
Key Working Relationships:
Position Reports to: Health Manager, Idlib.
Position directly supervises: MHPSS officers, assistants, and Counselors.
Key Internal Contacts: Technical MHPSS advisor, Health Coordinator, Community Health Officer, Senior Health Officer, IM officer, Pharma Specialist, Field Management, and Humanitarian Access and Security Manager in Syria.
Key External Contacts: IRC’s partner organizations, health clinics, and coordination mechanisms entities.
University Degree in Psychology or counselling with psychotherapy, clinical, and or any other academic qualification alongside counselling psychology work experience.
Work Experience:
4 years of relevant work experience in psychosocial support/psychology, in clinical and/or direct practice settings.
2 years experience in team management.
Knowledgeable in and has used the IASC MHPSS guidelines and standard methodologies as part of their previous work experience.
Strong experience in clinical supervision, training, and/or coaching others. Experience in assessment, program design, evaluation, and technical training and supervision using WHO’s Mental Health Gap Action Program (MH-GAP).
Experience in working with partners to implement programs.
Solid understanding of case management and survivor-centered care in humanitarian settings and familiarity with both NWS and Turkey contexts.
Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:
A commitment to IRC’s mission, vision, values, and IRC Way – Professional Code of Conduct.
Strong understanding of humanitarian principles and standards.
Strong interpersonal skills demonstrate the ability to collaborate closely with partner organizations, strong written and oral communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with different types of people, including representation and liaison with external parties.
The ability to work under pressure with competing priorities and deadlines.
Full professional competency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
Credible written, presentation, and verbal communication skills; ability to convey information effectively and solid experience providing training and staff development.
Validated a sense of professional discretion, integrity, and ability to handle complex situations diplomatically and to achieve effective resolution.
Excellent management and interpersonal skills and a solid ability to promote harmonious/cohesive teamwork, in a cross-cultural context.
Validated ability to plan long-term, organize priorities, and work under administrative and programmatic pressures with detail orientation and professional patience.
Highly collaborative and resourceful; ability to establish positive working relationships with senior-level management and all other partners to maximize cooperation and productivity.
Curiosity, a desire to continually learn and develop, and a sense of humor are a must.
Analytical ability in creating effective solutions to complex matters while adhering to labor laws and internal policies.
Language/Travel:
Travel: 60% to field sites in NWS and newly accessible areas, as well as attending national, regional, and global workshops and meetings.
Proficiency in the English language is essential; and knowledge of Arabic is highly required.
Key Working Relationships:
Position Reports to: Health Manager, Idlib.
Position directly supervises: MHPSS officers, assistants, and Counselors.
Key Internal Contacts: Technical MHPSS advisor, Health Coordinator, Community Health Officer, Senior Health Officer, IM officer, Pharma Specialist, Field Management, and Humanitarian Access and Security Manager in Syria.
Key External Contacts: IRC’s partner organizations, health clinics, and coordination mechanisms entities.
Salary and Benefits
As per the IRC Salary Scale
About us
The IRC has operated in Syria since 2012, providing protection, health, economic recovery, and early childhood development programs in Idleb, Aleppo, Ar-Raqqa, Hassakeh, and Deir ez-Zor, with new programs expanding into Hama, rural Damascus, and Homs. With a team of over 700 members, the IRC has established trust and strong community relationships, ensuring access and effective service delivery. It plays a significant role in Syria’s NGO, donor, and coordination forums, holding key positions and adapting to the evolving context.
With the new realities under the new government, as of December 2024, the IRC has deployed a team to Damascus to set up operations and engage in coordination structures for newly accessible areas across Syria—including parts of NES, NWS, and other previously unreachable locations in South and Central Syria, adjusting operations to maximize coverage and efficiency.
Healthcare
Since 2012, the IRC has provided comprehensive primary and secondary healthcare through hospitals, clinics, and mobile medical units (MMUs). Ensuring access to vital services like sexual and reproductive health, clinical psychosocial support, and other specialized care. Working alongside our partners, we’ve helped secure a steady supply of medicines and medical equipment into the country, trained healthcare providers, and deployed health personnel to maintain services in even the most challenging conditions.
Protection
The IRC has been delivering protection programs in the northwest since 2013 and in the northeast of Syria since 2014, focusing on Protection/Rule of Law (PRoL), Women’s Protection and Empowerment (WPE), and Child Protection (CP). These efforts include specialized case management, PSS, protection monitoring, service mapping, and advocacy. Collaborating with partners, IRC improves access to protection services, raises community awareness, and strengthens referral pathways. Protection capacity building, community outreach, and rapid response through mobile protection teams have also been provided since 2017.
Economic Recovery and Development (ERD)
IRC has over 10 years of experience in Syria implementing cash, agriculture, and livelihoods programming, and was one of the first organizations to use cash transfers, supporting vulnerable communities with MPCT since 2014 in the northwest, and 2015 in the northeast.
Early Childhood Development (ECD)
The IRC, in partnership with Sesame Workshop, is implementing the 'Ahlan Simsim' program to provide early learning and nurturing care to children and caregivers affected by conflict and displacement across the Middle East. Our goal is to create inclusive environments where all children, regardless of their background, can reach their full potential, especially in communities that have experienced the brunt of the conflict.
With the new realities under the new government, as of December 2024, the IRC has deployed a team to Damascus to set up operations and engage in coordination structures for newly accessible areas across Syria—including parts of NES, NWS, and other previously unreachable locations in South and Central Syria, adjusting operations to maximize coverage and efficiency.
Healthcare
Since 2012, the IRC has provided comprehensive primary and secondary healthcare through hospitals, clinics, and mobile medical units (MMUs). Ensuring access to vital services like sexual and reproductive health, clinical psychosocial support, and other specialized care. Working alongside our partners, we’ve helped secure a steady supply of medicines and medical equipment into the country, trained healthcare providers, and deployed health personnel to maintain services in even the most challenging conditions.
Protection
The IRC has been delivering protection programs in the northwest since 2013 and in the northeast of Syria since 2014, focusing on Protection/Rule of Law (PRoL), Women’s Protection and Empowerment (WPE), and Child Protection (CP). These efforts include specialized case management, PSS, protection monitoring, service mapping, and advocacy. Collaborating with partners, IRC improves access to protection services, raises community awareness, and strengthens referral pathways. Protection capacity building, community outreach, and rapid response through mobile protection teams have also been provided since 2017.
Economic Recovery and Development (ERD)
IRC has over 10 years of experience in Syria implementing cash, agriculture, and livelihoods programming, and was one of the first organizations to use cash transfers, supporting vulnerable communities with MPCT since 2014 in the northwest, and 2015 in the northeast.
Early Childhood Development (ECD)
The IRC, in partnership with Sesame Workshop, is implementing the 'Ahlan Simsim' program to provide early learning and nurturing care to children and caregivers affected by conflict and displacement across the Middle East. Our goal is to create inclusive environments where all children, regardless of their background, can reach their full potential, especially in communities that have experienced the brunt of the conflict.
Required employees number
1
Posted On
Sep 17, 2025
Expiry Date
Oct 03, 2025
CV Language
English
