Context:
Under the overall supervision of Head, Protection Division and direct supervision of the Head of
the Mental Health, Psychosocial Response and Intercultural Communication Unit (MHPSSIC),
and in coordination with the Head of the Humanitarian Response Division, the Senior Roving
MHPSS Officer will be responsible and accountable for developing, coordinating and
implementing IOM’s strategy, policy and programming in the field of Mental Health and
Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) in Humanitarian Emergencies.
Core Functions / Responsibilities:
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1. Policy and Strategy Formulation
Provide authoritative technical and programmatic MHPSS related advice and inputs for relevant
policies, strategies and programmatic frameworks in the Humanitarian Preparedness and
Response domain, including:
• Prepare timely position statements, presentations, strategic guidance, briefings and other
documents and advice for the Head of MHPSSIC Unit and the Head of HP Division;
• Ensure the inclusion and implementation of dedicated MHPSS chapters and components in
key strategies, policies and position papers;
• Monitor and assess relevant policy, strategy and programmatic developments in relation to
mental health, psychosocial response and intercultural communication needs in humanitarian
emergencies with particular regard to displaced and migrant populations and advise the Head of
MHPSSCI Unit accordingly;
• Establish, promote and strengthen communications and collaboration between Global
MHPSSCI, Humanitarian Response Division, Humanitarian Protection Unit, and Health in
Emergency Unit on MHPSS matters.
2. External Liaison and Resource Mobilization
Advocate for and influence key partners and decision-makers on issues related to mental health
and psychosocial wellbeing of displaced populations, crisis affected populations, and migrants in
humanitarian emergencies, including:
• Represent IOM at the Inter-Agency Standing Committee Reference Group on Mental Health
and Psychosocial Support; coordinate IOM co-chairs of field based Inter-Agency Standing
Committee Reference Group (IASC RG) on MHPSS, and co-chair or coordinate the co-chairing
of relevant global working groups;
• Develop the strategy for fund raising and resource mobilization for MHPSS programs and
program components in Humanitarian Emergencies;
• Establish strong liaison with the Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM) Cluster
for issues related to MHPSS.
3. Technical Supervision, Management and Representation
• Substantively contribute to the development and implementation of IOM’s global guidance
notes, indicators, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in relation to dedicated mental
health and psychosocial support and intercultural communication policies, programs, activities
and procedures in emergency preparedness and response;
• Supervise proposal development and the preparation of narrative and financial donor reports
submitted by missions, Regional Offices (ROs) and Global Emergency teams;
• Act as secondary reviewer or endorser for MHPSS dedicated programs and project
components under the Humanitarian Preparedness and response coding;
• Provide direct technical supervision to all Professional, National Officers, and General Service
MHPSS experts, project officers, program officers of humanitarian emergency programs;
• Develop and maintain, in collaboration with relevant organizational units, a sound MEAL
framework, assessing, monitoring, synthesizing, interpreting and evaluating relevant IOM
MHPSS in emergency data. This includes collaboration and coordination with Data Unit of the
Protection Division, the IQ team and the Strategic Results Framework (SRF) team;
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• Advocate for and promote the inclusion of MHPSS and migration in emergency related
subjects in relevant conferences, academic courses and interagency events, either directly or by
instructing other colleagues;
• Lead and/or participate in relevant thematic expert groups;
• Prepare technical and programmatic briefings, reports and presentations on various topics
related to mental health, psychosocial and intercultural communication needs of displaced and
crisis affected populations.
4. Capacity building
Build the capacity of the IOM emergency personnel, and implementing partner organizations’
personnel in the relevant fields, based on global tools, most notably the IOM Manual on
Community Based MHPSS in Emergency and Displacement, including:
• Develop and implement an MHPSS in emergency capacity building plan, based on a
capacity-needs assessment;
• Guide and advise on the inclusion of mental health and psychosocial components in IOM’s
trainings for Emergency Roster, Emergency Response, Emergency surge and Emergency
Response and Induction Training (ERIT);
• Guide and advise on the inclusion of mental health and psychosocial components in IOM’s
trainings for humanitarian emergency counterparts.
5. Direct Management and Managerial Support
• Be part of the IOM surge teams in emerging crises situations, strategizing, mobilizing
resources and initiating emergency MHPSS interventions; this function requires frequent and
unpredictable field mission travel for up to 70% of the incumbent’s working time;
• Supervise and provide managerial support to MHPSS managers and officers of Humanitarian
response programs;
• Monitor and evaluate managerial and financial aspects of the program, including reporting.
6. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.
Required Qualifications and Experience:
Education
• Master’s degree in Psychiatry, Psychology (General, Clinical, Counselling, Social or
Community), Social Work, Anthropology, Education, Social Animation from an accredited
academic institution with seven years of relevant professional experience; or,
• University degree in the above fields with nine years of relevant professional experience.
• For holders of non-clinical degrees, a suitable number of exams in clinical and counselling
psychology or related subjects is an advantage.
Experience
• Previous participation in IOM run academic courses on MHPSS and population mobility like
the Summer School in Psychosocial interventions in Migration, Emergency and Displacement is
a distinctive advantage;
• Relevant seven years (nine years for bachelor’s degree holders) of experience in providing
psychosocial support in emergency situations and to crises affected populations.
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• At least seven years (nine years for bachelor’s degree holders) of experience in the
development and management of MHPSS programs in the UN or IASC sector;
• Relevant experience in the Counter Trafficking, Unaccompanied Minors, and Demobilization
and Reparation sectors will be considered an asset; and,
• Proven academic teaching experience will be considered as an asset.
Skills
• Proven understanding of humanitarian diplomacy;
• In depth knowledge of the broad range of migration related subject areas dealt with by the
Organization;
• Sound judgment, ability to analyze information and make decisions rapidly to resolve
operational problems;
• Efficiency, flexibility, high level of professionalism and ability to adhere to strict deadlines;
• Strong leadership, management, and coordination ability;
• Sound communication and interpersonal skills; and,
• Ability to work effectively and harmoniously with colleagues from varied cultures and
backgrounds.
Languages
IOM’s official languages are English, French, and Spanish. All staff members are required to be
fluent in one of the three languages.
For this position, fluency in English is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of another
official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, and Spanish) is an advantage.
Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process,
which may include written and/or oral assessments.