Salary: 297,500 IQD/month

Description:

Project Summary: Mercy Hands is implementing a project, in coordination with Mercy Corps, to promote peaceful coexistence and wellbeing for returnees and host communities in conflict-affected communities in Ninewa through psychosocial resilience, social cohesion, and livelihood restoration. The project’s first pillar is based on the principle that the safety and wellbeing of returnees and host communities’ youth and adolescents in Ninewa is crucial to mitigate protection risks and avoid negative of is coping behaviors. The second pillar of the project is that once youth have positive coping skills, they are able to participate to the civic life and promote social cohesion. The project’s third pillar is linked to the first pillar. The coping skills obtained through the psychosocial support activities will also allow returnees and host communities youth to absorb new skills for starting livelihood activities. Therefore, the project will focus on connecting older youth to increased livelihood opportunities. All those activities will be delivered in AYFSs (Adolescents and Youth Friendly Spaces).

Position Summary: The Volunteer PSS/Support Coaches will work closely and under supervision from Program staff and close monitoring by PSS and protection program assistants to implement the program activities of the TAGHIR Program and support day-to-day tasks in the AYFS. He/she will mainly facilitate activities and deliver trainings in protection, PSS and social cohesion, directed towards children, adolescents, youth and parents/care givers inside the safe spaces and outside of them when conducting campaigns and events. In addition, the Volunteer PSS/Program Coaches will support the AYFS Coordinator and other project staff with other tasks as needed. Relevant training for him/her will be provided before the start of the activities.

Responsibilities:

Project management

• With support from the Project Manager and according to the workplan, the PSS/Support Coach will ensure the implementation of the project activities in the AYFS center.
• Work closely with the Psychologist to identify protection/GBV cases.
• Facilitate trainings in protection, PSS, and social cohesion.
• Lead the facilitation of the PSS activities (structured and non-structured) for children, adolescents, and youth.
• Provide support in awareness raising through preparing and participating in behavioral change communications, events, and campaigns.
• Provide support in the outreach activities as needed.
• Support the AYFS Center through filling in for other colleagues working in Center if needed.
• Participate in weekly / monthly reporting and planning meetings to ensure adherence to standards of care, quality of PSS provision and reporting requirements are followed.
• Support the implementation of monitoring and evaluation tools and report on problems in the implementation of the program.

Coordination

• Work alongside the Psychologist to promote the value of MHPSS services with the local authorities and other partners.
• Support the organization of community-based activities that promote shared resilience, self-help and peer support, including capacity building workshops and support groups.
• Encourage referral pathways and support at the community level for common mental health issues by working with teachers, religious leaders and traditional healers, and by facilitating regular coordination/case discussion meetings with these stakeholders and their corresponding health facilities.

Other

• Collaborate with the team to ensure that very vulnerable individuals are referred to the PSS team for the provision of PSS.
• Provide continuous feedback to the Project Manager on any challenges in the work implementation to be addressed directly with corrective steps/measures if needed.
• Ensure compliance with MH policies and protocols of confidentiality, respect and safety.

Qualifications & Preferred Skills:

• Bachelor degree or diploma in Social/ Education Studies, psychology, sociology, social work, mental health or related field.
• At least 3 years of prior professional experience in facilitating either in educational spaces or other relevant jobs.
• Child Protection/GBV and Social Cohesion trainings facilitation experience a distinct advantage.
• Experience in community related jobs where he/she had interactions with different community categories.
• Languages:
• Sinjar: Fluency in Kurmanji required, working knowledge of Arabic and English an advantage
• Ability to work independently in a rapidly changing professional environment with a view towards establishing administrative procedures and protocol that will ensure optimal functioning of the Operation.
• Good interpersonal, organizational, and time management skills essential.
• Ability to maintain the highest degree of discretion essential.

• Proven word processing and report writing skills preferred
• Ability to work in stressful work environments essential.
• Previous experience in database management preferred.
• Previous experience in monitoring and drafting reports preferred.
• Excellent communication skills.

REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: PSS and Protection Program staff.

WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: PSS and Protection team members.

Please submit your CV & cover letter to jobs.north@mercyhands.org with “Volunteer PSS/Support Coach” in the subject line.

Mercy Hands is an equal opportunity employer and recognizes the value of diversity in the workplace. We make no employment or volunteering decisions based on gender, race, age, disability, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, or any other protected class. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

All employees are expected to comply and provide signature to state commitment to our Child Safeguarding Policy and Code of Conduct regardless of employment agreement or rank. These documents will be included as part of the employment contract.

The role holder will have direct responsibility and supervision of staff working with intensive contact with children and/or young people.

Successful candidates must undertake a formal criminal record check, or where this is not possible, complete a self-declaration on any criminal convictions.

We expect employees to avoid any personal, financial or other interests that might hinder their capability or willingness to perform their job duties. Successful candidates are expected to sign Mercy Hands Conflict of Interest Policy.