Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Consultant(s)

Job Announcement

For External Use

Location: Jordan, Liberia, and Dominican Republic

Group/Practice/Unit: Education

 Who We Are

IREX is a global development and education organization. We strive for a more just, prosperous, and inclusive world—where individuals reach their full potential, governments serve their people, and communities thrive. With a projected annual portfolio of more than $100 million and more than 600 staff worldwide, we work with partners in more than 100 countries in four areas essential to progress: cultivating leaders, empowering youth, strengthening institutions, and increasing access to quality education and information.

The Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Consultant will adapt and lead the implementation of the psychosocial support (PSS) framework, a framework that will shadow all program components and allow PSS support to all program components. This person(s) will be responsible for holistic integration of the Safeguarding Policy throughout the program and training all stakeholders on the policy. This person(s) will also actively engage parents and caregivers through a similar PSS framework. If necessary, this person(s) will work with the Inclusion Partner/Consultant to design a psychologically safe cohort for a particular demographic (see more information in the Inclusion Consultant Job Post). 

This person(s) will engage with the program throughout its entirety, which could be between one – two years in each country. We estimate that this person(s) will be needed at 70% level of effort (LOE) over the first six months and 50% LOE for the next six months, resulting in a total of 1,152 hours, or 144 days in the first year.

Therefore, IREX seeks local consultant(s) to execute a scope alongside local partners that includes, but is not limited to, the following:

Duties and Responsibilities

• Ensure holistic integration of the Safeguarding Policy throughout the program
• Train youth participants on the Safeguarding Policy and communication channels to report
• Adapt a global PSS Framework with group sessions that integrate with the program
• Offer one-on-one sessions, as needed, with SHE’s GREAT! participants
• Adapt the Caregiver Engagement Framework (including 7-10 Caregiver Coffee Clubs and an additional 3-4 workshops on STEM education, career planning, non-violent parenting, and understanding teenage psychology) and train caregivers on the Safeguarding Policy. This framework could include regional leads who work with schools and community centers in one part of the country. Conduct assessment and monitoring of participant progress, skill gain, behavior change.
• Host Caregiver Coffee Clubs and workshops
• Train local partner consortium (LPC) on MHPSS for youth
• Train community members on MHPSS for youth and the Safeguarding Policy at the first Sustained GESI Dialogue
• With IREX and the Inclusion partner, develop and conduct a School-Related Gender-Based Violence (SRGBV) Policy Development workshop. Conduct assessment and monitoring of participant progress, skill gain, behavior change.
• Provide technical support/guidance to teachers/schools as they develop SRGBV policies
• Collaborate with Inclusion Partner on potential design of psychologically safe cohort
• Contribute to quarterly meetings on risk assessment and mitigation
• Collaborate with other LPC members (inclusion lead, science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM) lead, lead partner, and Friends Advisory Committee) throughout the duration of the program
• Other duties, as assigned

Skills and Experience

• Expertise in mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) for youth 
• Experience with Do No (More) Harm (DNmH) and trauma-informed principles
• Experience with safeguarding/prevention of gender-based violence
• Experience in training on MHPSS topics 
• Experience in working with parents and caregivers 
• Experience in contributing to policies around the prevention of gender-based violence
• Minimum experience of three years working in MHPSS
• Preferred applicants will be licensed (or the country equivalent) to provide mental health services (i.e. counseling, social work, psychology, or similar field)

TO APPLY

Click on “Apply” above to submit your CV along with a cover letter that summarizes your experience and includes your daily rate requirements. 

This position is eligible for Remote work.  

IREX reserves the right to review and select candidates before or after this deadline at its sole discretion. Shortlisted candidates will be subject to a verbal interview. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.  

NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE

EOE – Equal Opportunity Employer

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/vets.