Emergency MHPSS Specialist - Palestine

Humanity & Inclusion is an independent and impartial aid organisation working in situations of poverty and exclusion, conflict and disaster. The organisation works alongside people with disabilities and vulnerable populations, taking action and bearing witness in order to respond to their essential needs, improve their living conditions and promote respect for their dignity and fundamental rights. 

Since its creation in 1982, HI has run development programmes in more than 60 countries and responded to numerous emergencies. Today, we have a budget of approximately 255 million euros, with 4794 employees worldwide. 

At Handicap International-Humanity & Inclusion, we truly believe in the importance of inclusion and diversity within our organisation. This is why we are engaged to a disability policy to encourage the inclusion and integration of people with disabilities. 

Please indicate if you require any special accommodation, even at the first interview. For more information about the organisation: www.hi.org 

Job Context

The Palestine mission is part of the Mashriq regional program, but currently sits under the Emergency Unit. Since October 7th, 2023 there has been a major humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, compounded by increased the violence in West Bank. HI has built upon previous programming to launch emergency MHPSS activities within rehabilitation services, implemented by a teams of Psychologists and Psychosocial Support Workers. In addition, HI launched recreational/PSS activities for children and youth in IDP shelters through trained community-based agents.

HI currently operates in the following sectors: physical rehabilitation, prosthetics and orthotics, humanitarian mine action, humanitarian logistics, education in emergencies, emergency preparedness, disability mainstreaming/inclusion in humanitarian action, and advocacy.

HI is preparing to deploy one MHPSS specialist in Palestine (if possible, by default Amman, Jordan) to recruit, train, and provide technical support the MHPSS team, both for MHPSS standalone activities and for quality oversight and integration of MHPSS in rehabilitation and education programs.

Emergency MHPSS needs in Palestine are extremely high. HI wishes to deploy one MHPSS specialist in Palestine to technically support the MHPSS team in West Bank and Gaza, and to support the recruitments and trainings of the MHPSS staff, and help in the creation and adaptation of technical tools, both for MHPSS standalone activities and for quality integration of MHPSS activities in rehabilitation and inclusive education in emergencies activities.

Attached to the Emergency Division and reporting to the Technical Head of Program the MHPSS Specialist will have 4 main responsabilities in direct interaction with internal actors (such as Area Manager, Project Managers, Technical officers, Officers, Regional Technical Unit, MEAL department, Deputy CM, Grants coordinator) and external actors (such as partners, local authorities, health structures, health NGOs).

Main Missions

Mission 1 - Expertise

• Contribute to the regional strategies in line with the global strategies
• Ensure technical support to projects in line with the global technical frameworks and standards in his/her
• sectorial scope
• Ensure technical learning from projects. Initiate and/or implement to projects’ technical learning within his/her sectorial scope
• Control & monitor the technical quality and the relevance of HI’s activities in the Programmes under his/her scope
• Ensure compliance of the technical proposition with nexus stakes
• Contribute to the development of research and innovation projects in the region when relevant, in his/her
• sectorial scope. Suggest and steer technical innovation projects. Propose (Identify) the priorities of Research and Studies and steer R&S
• Contribute to the Technical Divisions professional channel facilitation within the program

Mission 2 - Influence: Contribute to the local external prestige and influence of HI’s expertise in his sectorial scope

Mission 3 - Business development: Ensure the development of major opportunities or new projects in the region under his sectorial scope

Mission 4 - Emergency preparedness and response responsibilities: Contribute to the support or implementation of emergency preparedness actions of the programme(s) and, during an emergency, adapts his/her working modality to contribute to an effective HI humanitarian response.

Your profile

• Advanced university degree (Master's level or equivalent) in mental health clinical psychology from a recognized university or academic institute 
• Minimum 5 years of overall professional experience in the field of MHPSS including at least 2 years of experience in emergency responses in conflict-affected countries
• Experience in training in evidence-based therapeutic approaches for trauma, stress, and mental health issues in emergency contexts.
• Experience in conducting multi-sectorial assessments is required
• Excellent communication and writing capacities in English 
• Team management experience in a stressfull context

At HI, the conditions offered are up to your commitment and adapted to the context of your mission. https://hi.org/en/join-the-team 

• 6 months International contract starting end of April - begining of May
• Location: Due to access constraints this position will be initially based in Amman, Jordan, with travel to oPt.

• The international contract provides social cover adapted to your situation: 

• Unemployment insurance benefits for EU nationals 
• Pension scheme  
• Medical coverage with 50% of employee contribution
• Repatriation insurance paid by HI 
• Salary from 2757 € gross/month upon experience  

• Per diem: 665,25,46 € net/month for Jordan paid in the field - 756,27 euros net/month for Jerusalem and oPt
• Hardship Allowance: depending on the location (none for Jordan, 250 euros net/month in Jerusalem, 500 euros net/month in Ramallah)

• Paid leaves: 25 days per year;  

• R&R: Standard (1 day per month) 
• Unaccompanied position
• Housing: Collective taken in charge by HI; 

If you are resident in the country: local package.

Due to the urgency of this recruitment, we encourage interested candidates to submit their applications as soon as possible. We will be reviewing applications on an ongoing basis. 
We need you to support our field teams in deploying this massive emergency response. Your help can make a difference. Join us!