The Ethiopian Red Cross Society (ERCS) was established in 1935 and is one of the oldest and largest humanitarian organizations in Ethiopia. ERCS provides services to communities affected by natural and manmade disasters through the provision of emergency responses, ambulance and first aid, family reunification, essential drugs, water and sanitation, and other humanitarian services. ERCS also runs disaster risk reduction programs with the aim of creating resilience households and communities. Currently the ERCS has a structure consisting of 12 Regional Offices, 34 Zonal Branches and 131 District/Woreda Branches, 599 Woreda Red Cross Committee and 5871 Kebele Red Cross committees.

ERCS also runs disaster risk reduction programs relating to food security, climate change adaptation, livelihood diversification, and institutional capacity building interventions, with the aim of creating resilience households and communities. ERCS works in partnership with the Ethiopian Government, International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC), International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), partnering National Societies, members, volunteers and the communities we serve.

Purpose

Ethiopia Red Cross Society implements an elaborate MHPSS intervention targeting migration returnees and internally displaced persons across Ethiopia. Key interventions include basic psychosocial support and Psychological First Aid to enhance community resilience and social inclusion.
AlPlSS activities are to be carried out through the established ERCS structures. MHPSS must be aligned with the strategy of the ERCS. All interventions will be implemented in accordance with the established framework of international standards for MHPSS.
The MHPSS coordinator will take the coordination lead on the implementation of the Psychosocial Support activities and contribute to the elaboration of the ERCS strategy on MHPSS. The MHPSS Coordinator will also assume a strategic role in ensuring relevant and quality interventions and providing a linkage between ERCS and partner Red Cross Societies.
The MHPSS coordinator is expected to take the leading role mainstreaming and/or integrating PSS into its core thematic areas; play expertise role in capacity building of ERCS staff and its Volunteers to have the necessary skills in specific areas such as basic psychosocial support, and Psychological First Aid (PFA), mental health, referrals and linkages that can enhance render evidence based, quality and timely services to the most vulnerable and contribute towards enhancing community resilience and social inclusion and maintaining a repository of MHPSS knowledge for continued future use by the national society.

Key responsibilities

Main tasks

• Capacity Building Provide training for staff and volunteers on topics related to PSS as relevant to their situation, sector and role such as on Protection, PFA, Child-Friendly Spaces, Psychosocial
• Awareness and house/ tent visits, Prevention of gender based violence, mental health; prepare training reports and advise on ways such trainings can be continuously Improved.
• Support the systemization of practices that ensure the care, protection and wellbeing of staff and volunteers. adapt, develop and disseminate context specific and tailored training material.
• Develop SOP’s, tools and guidelines for MHPSS on activities and spearhead their adaptation/implementation. Provide coaching and mentoring to staff and volunteers and conduct supervision missions in project sites and at HQ level; provide timely TA to the emergency response teams during emergency operations to deliver relevant, timely and Quality PSS.

Coordination

• Participate internal, cluster meetings on MHPSS, and strive to establish partnership, support efforts to ensure visibility of the ERCS MHPSS services across ERCS intervention sectors.
• Engage in advocacy tasks and promote the NS MHPSS services such as in campaigns, commemoration of international days, etc.
• Support for and provide TA on referral pathways and linkages for MHPSS services;
• Organize coordination meetings with ERCS’ PGI and CEA coordinator
• Closely work together with DRC and other movement and non¬ movement partners with regard to MHPSS.

Programme implementation, monitoring, evaluation and reporting

• Contribute to the assessments, development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of MHPSS activities in all ERCS structures and functions.
• Works in teams in the development and adaptation of monitoring and evaluation tools.
• Collate reports from HQ & the branches and provide consolidated quarterly and annual reports on MHPSS activities.
• Review technical reports from PSS Focal points to ensure quality and the use of RC vocabulary.
• Document the development and sharing of lessons learned, best practices and case studies.
• Ensure date related to MHPSS are duly completed and maintain the same as per the data protection guidelines with due care for privacy and confidentiality.

Awareness Raising

• Work closely with relevant departments and services to integrate/mainstream mental health and psychosocial support in core operations of the NS.
• Facilitate relevant awareness-raising sessions to enhance visibility of the NS MHPSS services including development of key messages, and advise mechanisms to mitigate vulnerability to mental health problems.
• Advocate for the inclusion of caring for staff and volunteers e.g. advise to establish mechanisms within the NS HR system and volunteer department tools.
• Ensure that staff and volunteers working in MHPSS are in comply with Code of Conduct, Child Protection, PSEA and anti-corruption policies of the movement.

Reporting to : – Emergency preparedness and Response Manager

Terms of employment:- Contract for one year

Job Requirements

Education : Background in Social/Behavioral and/or health Sciences with master’s degree in Psychology/Social Psychology, Social Work, Sociology, public health or related fields.

Experience and ‘knowledge

• At least 10 years’ of direct experience in a similar position in a humanitarian organization or NGO.
• Proven experience in strategic and organizational leadership with demonstrated skilIs in training facilitation, communication and advocacy works.
• Ability to develop, supervise/mentor and evaluate psychosocial and mental health programs and projects.
• Knowledge of project management cycle is an asset, and knowledgeable about RCRC operations but not mandatory.

Core Competencies

• Strong communication skills.
• Ability to discuss/negotiate with management, staff and volunteers.
• Sensitive to the feelings expressed and behaviors displayed by the beneficiaries. Understanding of their needs.
• Mature, flexible and able to work under pressure assuming a range of unanticipated assignments
• Ability to assume various roles and assignments as directed by the immediate supervisor within the scope of the ERCS mandate

Languages Requisite: Very good English language skills (mainly in speaking and writing).

Skills and Knowledge: Advanced skills in use of computer application (Microsoft word, excel, power point) including use of internet and email.