Jesuit Refugee Service Mental Health and Psychosocial Coordinator Jobs in South Sudan

Jesuit Refugee Service Mental Health and Psychosocial Coordinator Jobs in South Sudan



Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) is an International Catholic organization, with a mission to accompany, serve and defend the rights of refugees and forcibly displaced people. JRS has a priority to work wherever the needs of displaced people are urgent and unattended by others and offers a human service to refugees and the communities through a wide range of rehabilitation and relief activities, many of which centred around formal and informal education needs.

JRS’ MHPSS Department offers a range of services to people who have been displaced in 4 refugee camps in Maban, the Upper Nile Region of South Sudan. JRS MHPSS services also reach the host community of the same location.

The JRS MHPSS intervention in Maban uses a multi-layered response with focus on provision of basic services, re-establishing community networks and support systems and providing focused non-specialized as well as specialized services for most vulnerable groups.

Services include home visits, groups, material support, individual counselling and psychotherapy, group therapy, family therapy, training in basic mental health and counselling, physiotherapy and occupational therapy, and distribution of mobility assistive devices.

JRS Psychosocial Response:

In response to the needs of the communities in Maban, JRS is implementing a diverse suite of psychosocial programs. Healthy relationships are the foundation of safe, thriving communities and strong families.

Bonds rooted in respect and understanding sustain peace at all levels of society and protect individuals from abuse, exploitation, and exclusion. JRS’ psychosocial activities aim to equip community members with tools to build and maintain such a foundation. Specifically, JRS’s work aims to strengthen the community’s capacity to:

  • Remain resilient in managing the daily hardships and challenges of life.

  • Resolve conflicts.

  • Manage adversity and promote healing of trauma in healthy ways.

  • Sustain supportive and empathetic relationships.

    Acknowledging the unique challenges faced by people with special needs, women, and children, JRS employs a holistic approach inviting families, caregivers, and community leaders to participate in its activities. These activities are framed by the global organization’s values of Accompany, Serve, and Advocate.

    Program activities include:

  • Support Groups.

  • Individual Counselling.

  • Referrals for Additional Services.

  • Day Care for Children with Disabilities.

  • Inclusive Education for Children with Disabilities.

  • Youth Sports & Recreation.

  • Training in Psychosocial Skills.

  • Physiotherapy.

    MHPSS Coordinator Role Includes

    The Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Coordinator oversees the MHPSS Department and is ultimately responsible for the successful implementation of all program activities within its purview.

    The successful candidate will have proven ability in leadership and management, experience in organizational and programmatic management, an ability to solve problems creatively with minimal resources, and technical expertise and recognized qualifications in MHPSS or related field.

    MHPSS Coordinator Responsibilities & Activities

    JRS Project Senior Management Team Leadership

  • Serving as a member of the JRS Maban Senior Management Team (SMT) and providing support to Project Director as necessary.

  • Contributing to personal and professional development opportunities for the entire JRS team
    Fostering the JRS ethos in all team members.

  • Ensuring JRS Policies, including Child Safeguarding, are upheld to
    the highest standard across the entire JRS community.

  • Representing JRS at Camp Coordination and other partners’ meetings.

  • Collaborate with Program Manager on strategic program development and vision.

    MHPSS Department Staff Supervision

  • Providing ongoing professional and technical support and supervision to 15-20 staff on the Psychosocial team and oversight of 50-60 community-based incentive workers in the field.

  • Facilitating capacity-building opportunities for JRS staff team in service of project. sustainability and building professional skills of South Sudanese.

    Project Management

  • Ensuring that budget and funded targets for PS department are achieved, and the work plan is successfully carried out in a timely manner.

  • Managing data collected by the team and using it to inform program decisions.

  • Serving as JRS focal point for all referrals to Psychosocial services and coordinating effectively with other humanitarian actors to deliver services to clients.

  • Completing accurate and timely reports for JRS and donors.

  • Monitoring budgets and resources allocated to the project.

  • Assuring high-quality service provision.

    Ideal Candidate Profile

    The ideal candidate will have:

  • A clear commitment to the mission and ethos of JRS and share its values of compassion, professionalism, and desire to be with those most in need.

  • Master’s degree in social work, counselling, psychology, human services, or a related field.

  • Minimum of 3 years’ professional experience in project management of a humanitarian services delivery project.

  • Working and updated knowledge of MHPSS best practices and techniques, including Psychological First Aid (PFA), Mental Health Global Action Programme (mhGAP), IASC Guidelines on MHPSS in Emergency Settings, Problem Management Plus (PM+), theories of community-based services.

  • Experience with service delivery to multicultural and diverse populations, particularly in international and emergency humanitarian settings.

  • Experience with data management and an ability to use data to inform program decisions.

  • Experience in program design, quality assurance, and monitoring/evaluation.

  • Demonstrated success supervising and leading teams.

  • Expertise in Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook)

  • Strong skills in thinking analytically and strategically.

  • Demonstrated ability to solve problems effectively and quickly with minimal resources available.

  • Previous International experience working in the related position is an added advance.

  • Demonstrated ability to work and live in a stressful environment with only basic amenities.

  • Commitment to working with marginalized and vulnerable communities.

  • Excellent skills in English (required), skills in oral Arabic desirable.

    How to Apply

    Interested candidates should submit the following documents to sds.recruit@jrs.net by June 28th, 2023. with the subject of the email as ‘MHPSS Coordinator – Maban’.

    An updated cover letter demonstrating the candidate’s suitability against the Ideal Candidate Profile outlined above.
    A current Curriculum Vitae with three Professional References.

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