Senior Technical Officer (MHPSS)

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

Job Overview/Summary: Senior Technical Officer (MHPSS) is responsible for supporting the implementation of MHPSS activities and ensuring the quality of project interventions in line with IRC standards and project objectives. The position provides technical support to local partners, mobile health teams, and frontline workers through capacity strengthening, mentoring, and supportive supervision to improve the integration and delivery of MHPSS services. Senior Technical Officer also delivers MHPSS case management and referral services and works closely with local authorities, community leaders, partners, and other stakeholders to strengthen coordination and ensure access to quality MHPSS services. The position reports to Program Manager and is based in Southeast Region, with approximately 90% travel required to support project activities across Southeast region.

This position is only opened for Myanmar National candidates. 

Major Responsibilities: The position is primarily responsible for providing technical support and delivering MHPSS services in Southeast of Myanmar.

• Delivering of MHPSS case management activities
• Capacity Building and Technical Support
• Coordination with relevant stakeholders
• Monitoring, Evaluation, Technical, Accountability and Learning (METAL)
• Reporting.

Delivering of MHPSS case management activities

• Identify individuals requiring MHPSS support through initial screening, multisectoral needs assessments, and community awareness activities.
• Conduct basic mental health assessments, including Mental Status Examinations (MSE), to identify needs and develop appropriate MHPSS care plans.
• Deliver MHPSS interventions, including:
  • Mental health awareness and psychoeducation sessions.
  • Group-based psychosocial support activities.
  • Individual counselling and basic mental health care.
  • Evidence-based mental health and psychosocial interventions (e.g., mhGAP).
  • Community-based MHPSS activities integrated with primary health care and health promotion.
  • Appropriate referrals for people with severe mental health conditions, protection concerns, and GBV survivors through established referral pathways.
• Ensure MHPSS services are delivered in a safe, confidential, survivor-centered, gender, age, and culturally appropriate manner.
• Support the development and adaptation of MHPSS resources, including technical tools, IEC materials, manuals, and training handbooks for partners and communities.
• Facilitate community awareness and advocacy activities, such as World Mental Health Day, to reduce stigma and promote mental health and psychosocial well-being.
• Prepare monthly MHPSS work plans and support implementation according to project priorities.
• Coordinate with the Team Leader and other technical teams to strengthen the integration of MHPSS into primary health care services and across relevant sectors.

Capacity building and technical support

• Provide technical support on MHPSS to local implementing partners through (ToT), training sessions, supportive supervision and coaching.
• Build the basic MHPSS capacity of mobile health teams and frontline workers to support the integration of MHPSS into PHC, including the identification and referral of people with MHPSS needs.
• Strengthening the capacity of IRC and partner staff to deliver quality MHPSS services through.
• Regular coordination meetings with implementing partners.
• Structured training on Psychological First Aid (PFA), basic helping skills, and referral pathways.
• Community-based MHPSS approaches.
• Self-care and burnout prevention for frontline staff.
• Identify service delivery challenges and work collaboratively with partners to develop practical and context-appropriate solutions.

Coordination with relevant stakeholders

• Representing IRC in sub-national and national coordination forums as delegated such as MHPSS technical working group.
• Liaise with ethnic health organizations, camp management committee and humanitarian actors to strengthen coordinated MHPSS responses and referral pathways.
• Support cross-sector collaboration with Health, Protection, WPE, and Nutrition teams to promote MHPSS integration.

Monitoring, Evaluation, Technical, Accountability and Learning (METAL)

• Coordinate with MEAL team to support data entry, management, and analysis of monthly MHPSS activities and achievements using the standard IRC Humanitarian Health Response Database.
• Contribute to assessments, rapid needs analysis, and evaluations related to mental health and psychosocial well-being.
• Support the Team Leader and coordinate with the MEAL team to prepare timely monthly narrative and activity reports
• Contribute to technical learning and documentation of good practices under the guidance of the MHPSS Specialist and/or Project Manager.

Reporting

• Provide regular, timely, and quality monthly narrative reports to the Team Leader.
• Support the Project Manager and MHPSS Specialist in preparing donor reports, IRC Myanmar country program reports, and HQ reports as required.

 Other

• Coordinate with program support teams to ensure timely implementation of project activities.
• Work closely with relevant IRC departments, including Operations, Finance, and other program teams, to facilitate effective project implementation.
• Remain flexible and undertake other duties as required or assigned.

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to                      :   Program Manager

Position directly supervises        : Nil

Job Requirements:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in psychology, Social Work, Public Health, Mental Health or related field.
• Experience in clinical psychology is an asset.
• Master’s degree in a relevant field is an asset.

Work Experience:

• At least 2-3 years of experience in MHPSS programming in humanitarian or fragile settings.
• At least 1 year of clinical and/or community work experience in humanitarian context.
• Demonstrated technical knowledge of community-based MHPSS, and counselling skills.
• Experience providing capacity building and technical support to partners and frontline workers.
• Familiarity with mhGAP, IASC MHPSS Guidelines, and humanitarian coordination mechanisms.

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

• Adaptable, flexible and mature in judgment.
• Good assessment, analytical, planning and reporting skills.
• Ability and willingness to travel frequently and work extended hours in remote IDP camps and villages in Karenni (Kayah) State.
• Good practice on MS package.
• Works Collaboratively with others.
• Experience in participatory approach to working with community-based organizations.
• Networking capacities for building constructive relationships with different actors.
• Good interpersonal and cross-cultural skills

Language Skills:

• Good English skill is required.
• Knowledge of Myanmar or local languages are highly preferred.

Professional Standards: All International Rescue Committee workers must adhere to the core values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. Our Standards are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Safeguarding, Conflicts of Interest, Fiscal Integrity, and Reporting Wrongdoing and Protection from Retaliation. IRC is committed to take all necessary preventive measures and create an environment where people feel safe, and to take all necessary actions and corrective measures when harm occurs. IRC builds teams of professionals who promote critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity to deliver the best possible services to our clients.

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