MHPSS Capacity Building Officer

POSITION SUMMARY: 

HIAS Ukraine is seeking to recruit a Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Capacity-building Officer to support the implementation of MHPSS emergency response activities in Ukraine to improve the local capacity of partners and stakeholders to provide appropriate MHPSS care and access to strengthened protective environments for conflict-affected individuals and communities. The position holder will be the main focal point for capacity-building activities such as discussions with partners, scheduling capacity-building activities (training sessions, on-the-job mentoring, technical assistance and supervision) and support the MHPSS implementation of HIAS staff and local partners in Ukraine.   The position holder will also be expected to document daily service data, observations, and best practices of HIAS and implementing partners' emergency MHPSS response activities to reinforce existing community systems and MHPSS within a multi-sectoral response system MHPSS programming. The MHPSS Capacity-building Officer will report to the MHPSS Coordinator.    

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Primary Liaison Role: Serve as the main point of contact between HIAS and local partners in inter-agency, multi-sectoral technical working groups on matters related to MHPSS services, including GBV interventions integrated with MHPSS approaches.
• Community-Based Approaches: Ensure that community-based approaches are applied in MHPSS programming, positioning communities as key stakeholders in mental health and psychosocial support activities.
• Technical Support & Supervision: Provide ongoing technical support and MHPSS supervision to HIAS and partners' MHPSS staff, ensuring quality implementation of psychosocial interventions.
• Capacity Building: Provide capacity-building sessions on MHPSS guidelines and standards, protection principles, Do No Harm approaches, and Core Humanitarian Standards for HIAS staff, implementing partners, and key community members. This will include specific training on GBV protocols related to MHPSS as part of HIAS's integrated approach.
• Development & Review of Materials: Participate in the development of appropriate IASC materials to support MHPSS and GBV-related trainings and program implementation. Review existing IASC materials to ensure MHPSS and GBV considerations are fully integrated into health and protection response and prevention messaging.
• Coordination & Referral Pathways: Coordinate with partners and local organizations to enhance linkages for refugees, promote quality referral pathways, and strengthen MHPSS services. Ensure that MHPSS and GBV concerns are integrated into different sector responses.
• Monitoring & Reporting: Provide inputs for regular progress reports and perform other activities as required to ensure program quality and impact.
• Support for Local Organizations: Ensure timely coordination and support to local organizations for the integration of basic psychosocial support and the development of inter-sectoral referral pathways, including referrals for GBV survivors.
• Training & Mentoring: Facilitate trainings, mentoring, and supervision on MHPSS interventions such as psychoeducation, parenting skills for caregivers, community-based activities, and Self Help+ for HIAS staff and implementing partners. This includes GBV-sensitive MHPSS protocols.
• Culturally Sensitive MHPSS Support: Assist local partners in providing culturally sensitive MHPSS interventions to IDPs and vulnerable populations experiencing distress, including caregivers, the elderly, gender-based violence survivors, and other vulnerable groups. This support will be delivered through the HIAS training package, including Psychological First Aid (PFA), MHPSS Basic Principles, Working with Refugees and IDPs, GBV Protocols, Communication & Basic Helping Skills, and Self-Care. 

 QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS: 

• A degree in psychology, sociology, social work, anthropology, or a related subject ; 
• Minimum of 2 years working in MHPSS programming; preference for candidates who have previous experience with direct service provision to vulnerable IDPs, refugee and migrant populations in an emergency setting; 
• Demonstrated experience with operationalizing MHPSS Global standards and principles, including knowledge of IASC and other international humanitarian standards for MHPSS programming; 
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality and respect for clients; 
• Experience in capacity building, training and supervision, including facilitation of diversity and inclusion, community-based training, and awareness raising; 
• Experience in implementing HIAS evidence-based protocols in Ukraine (Psychological First Aid trainings, Self Help+, Parenting Skills Intervention) and HIAS interventions (psychoeducation, community-based activities, individual counselling);
• Excellent organizational and problem-solving skills required; 
• Responsible, Professional, and with Integrity;
• Ability to work with people from different cultural settings;  
• Ability to work effectively with teams; 
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills; 
• Experience working with vulnerable populations, especially refugees or asylum seekers; 
• Fluency in Ukrainian, preference to candidates with at least pre-intermediate level of English; 
• Knowledge of Computers; Ms-Office, Email, and the Internet. 

Deadline for applications submission: September 27  (23:59).

HIRING PROCESS: 

We are committed to a fair and respectful hiring process, and we do our absolute best to respond to every applicant. We prioritize communication and transparency with all candidates, even those who are not moving forward. Here’s a snapshot of our hiring process:  

Step 1: Submit your application! 

Step 2: Phone screen with a HIAS recruiter. 

Step 3: Video interview with the hiring manager. 

Step 4: Video interview with a panel of HIAS employees. 

Step 5: Online reference check with SkillSurvey. 

Step 6: Offer and background check with Shield Screening. 

Step 7: Start your professional journey with HIAS!  

Note: Some of our hiring processes may vary, and not all candidates will advance to each step.  

ABOUT US: 

Over one hundred years ago, the Jewish community founded HIAS (originally the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society) in New York City, the immigrant gateway to America. Supporting Jews fleeing persecution and poverty in Eastern Europe, our founders were guided by the traditions, texts and history of the Jewish people—a history of oppression, displacement and diaspora. HIAS has since helped generations of Jews facing violence because of who they were, and HIAS remains committed to helping Jewish refugees anywhere in the world. Today, our clients at HIAS come from diverse faiths, ethnicities and backgrounds, as do our staff. We bring our experience, history and values to our work across five continents, ensuring that refugees today receive the vital services and opportunities they need to thrive.  

HIAS is a learning community, committed to diversity and inclusion. We do our work with integrity, accountability, transparency and a commitment to the highest ethical standards. We seek employees from diverse backgrounds and life experiences to join our teams located in the United States and across the globe. People who identify as BIPOC, people with disabilities, people from the LGBTQ+ community and people with lived experiences of forced displacement or immigration are all encouraged to apply. We are committed to building a diverse workforce that reflects our vision, mission and values. 

VISION: 

HIAS stands for a world in which refugees find welcome, safety and opportunity. 

MISSION: 

Drawing on our Jewish values and history, HIAS provides vital services to refugees and asylum seekers around the world and advocates for their fundamental rights so they can rebuild their lives.   

VALUES:  

Welcome • Acogimiento • Hospitalite • 

? 


 (Hachnasat Orchim) 

We Welcome the Stranger  

Justice • Justicia • Justice • 
? (Tzedek) 

We Pursue Justice  

Empathy • Empatia • Empathie • 
? (Chesed) 

We Approach our Clients with Empathy  

Partnership • Companerismo • Cooperation • 


 (Chevruta) 

We Believe in Changing the World through Partnership 

Courage • Coraje • Courage • 

 (Ometz) 

We Act with Courage to Build a Better World  

Resilience • Resiliencia • Resilience • 
? (Ruach) 

We Adapt and Thrive, Continuously Demonstrating our Resilience  

DIVERSITY: 

HIAS is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. As an equal opportunity employer, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, ethnic background, ancestry, citizenship status, religious creed, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, registered domestic partner or civil union status, familial status, pregnancy, childbirth, military status, protected veteran status, political orientation or other legally protected status.   

SAFEGUARDING: 

HIAS is committed to the protection of children, vulnerable adults and any other person from any harm caused directly or indirectly due to their coming into contact with HIAS. We will not tolerate sexual exploitation, abuse or any form of child abuse or neglect by our staff or associated personnel. Any candidate offered a job with HIAS will be expected to sign and adhere to HIAS’ Code of Conduct and Safeguarding policies. All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records. HIAS also participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. Likewise, HIAS will share this information when other organizations inquire about current and former HIAS staff as part of their recruitment process. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.