MHPSS & PSN Coordinator at Prison Fellowship Rwanda (PFR)

Project: Legal aid, Community-Based Protection, MHPSS & PSN

Position: MHPSS & PSN Coordinator (1)

Duty Station: Head Office Kigali

Technical field: MHPSS & PSN

Report to: Humanitarian Sector Manager

Background.

Prison Fellowship Rwanda (PFR) is a non-profit organization working with the government of Rwanda and both local and international organizations to foster peacebuilding, unity, reconciliation, mental health and psychosocial support, access to justice, crime prevention, human rights promotion, and socio-economic empowerment of vulnerable people in Rwanda in the wake of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi and its aftermath.

Prison Fellowship Rwanda was founded on 01/07/1995, affiliated with Prison Fellowship International in 1997, and officially registered and recognized by Ministerial Order No. 037/17 of 23/10/2002 by the Ministry of Justice as a non-profit organization, with its registration published in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Rwanda in 2002.

PFR envisions a society where unity, peace and justice reign and has a mission to contribute to the social transformation of vulnerable communities through peacebuilding, livelihood, justice, psychosocial and spiritual resilience interventions.

Since 2020, Prison Fellowship Rwanda (PFR) in partnership with United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Ministry in Charge of Emergency Management (MINEMA) supports refugees and asylum seekers in Rwanda in the following sectors:

a) Community-Based Protection (CBP) services,

b) Legal Assistance and civil documentation

c) Mental Health and Psychosocial Support/ Community Based Sociotherapy

Starting from August 2024, with the support of UNHCR and MINEMA, Prison Fellowship Rwanda is expanding its Mental Health and Psychosocial support Services, plus protection and inclusion of Persons with Specific Needs in all refugee camps, Urban Settings and Emergency Transit Mechanism (ETM) Gashora.

With that regards, the organisation is hiring a qualified and experienced MHPSS and PSN project Coordinator, who will be ensuring that mental health and psychosocial services are effectively delivered to individuals in need and ensure that Community-based rehabilitation services (advocacy and technical support to persons with specific needs) are effectively delivered to individuals in need.

Key responsibilities of the MHPSS Coordinator:

ASSESSMENT AND DIGNOSIS

• Conduct assessments to identify the mental health and psychosocial needs of the refugee population.
• To address mental health needs of refugees through culturally sensitive and evidence-based approaches

Program Development and Implementation Responsibilities

• Ensuring that mental health and psychosocial services are effectively delivered to individuals in need.
• Develop, plan, and coordinate MHPSS programs and interventions tailored to the needs of refugees.
• Ensure that MHPSS activities are aligned with overall project objectives and comply with organizational and donor guidelines.
• Supervise and support a team of MHPSS officers, including psychologists, counselors, therapists and community facilitors.
• Advocate for the mental health and psychosocial needs of refugees at various levels, including within the community and with stakeholders.
• Under the supervision of the Humanitarian Sector Manager, prepare regular reports to be submitted to organizational leadership, and donors.
• Create detailed project plans, including objectives, timelines, and resource allocation for MHPSS activities.
• Oversee the delivery of MHPSS services, including individual and group counseling, community-based support, and psychoeducation.
• Design and implement campaigns to raise awareness about mental health issues and reduce stigma within the refugee community.
• Prepare and manage the project budget, ensuring efficient use of resources.
• Identify funding opportunities and prepare grant proposals to secure financial support for MHPSS activities
• Provide rapid psychological support and interventions during emergencies and crises.
• Focus on the needs of particularly vulnerable groups, such as unaccompanied minors, survivors of gender-based violence, and individuals with severe mental health conditions.
• Ensure all MHPSS activities adhere to ethical guidelines and principles, including confidentiality and informed consent.
• Integrate cultural, religious, and social norms into MHPSS interventions to ensure they are respectful and effective.
• Maintain clear and consistent communication with the project team, providing regular updates and feedback.

Administrative Responsibilities

• Collaborate with local authorities, NGOs, international organizations, and community leaders to ensure coordinated MHPSS responses.
• Represent the organization where requested in relevant events organized by UNHCR, MINEMA and other UNHCR partners.
• Maintain good collaboration with MINEMA, UNHCR and various operational partners
• Work with healthcare providers, social workers, protection officers, and other relevant stakeholders to provide integrated services.
• Maintain established referral pathways for specialized mental health services.
• Represent the MHPSS project in external meetings and forums, sharing insights and advocating for best practices in refugee mental health support.

Capacity Building responsibilities

• Provide training and supervision to MHPSS Officers and community workers to enhance their skills and knowledge;
• Develop and implement capacity-building initiatives for refugee communities to support peer-led mental health activities.

Monitoring and reporting responsibilities

• Develop and implement M&E frameworks to track the effectiveness and impact of MHPSS programs
• Collect and analyze data to inform program adjustments and improvements
• Prepare and submit regular reports on progress, challenges, and outcomes to Humanitarian Sector Manager.
• Contribute to project monitoring, specifically activity progress indicators and the expected outcomes.
• Contribute to project evaluations at the request of the Humanitarian Sector Manager, and ensure that project evaluation recommendations are followed.
• Identify, document and share the project achievements, success stories, testimonies and lessons learned from the project interventions
• Ensure proper utilization of the existing data collection and management tools
• Keep accurate and confidential records of all assessments, interventions, and outcomes.

Qualification and competences

• A master's degree in psychology, social work, public health, or other related field from a recognized University. Additional certifications or training in mental health, psychosocial support, trauma-informed care, or related areas are highly desirable.
• Minimum experience of at least 3-5 years of professional experience in MHPSS programming, preferably in humanitarian or refugee settings.
• Proven experience in project management, including planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of MHPSS projects.
• Understanding of the legal and social frameworks governing refugee protection and assistance.
• Strong knowledge of and experience with a range of MHPSS interventions, including individual and group counselling, community-based support, and capacity building.
• Ability to conduct mental health assessments and diagnose psychological conditions.
• Excellent skills in program planning, coordination, and implementation.
• Strong skills in monitoring and evaluating program outcomes and impact.
• Ability to engage effectively with various stakeholders, including local communities, government agencies, NGOs, and international organizations.
• Proven leadership and team management skills, with the ability to motivate and support a diverse team.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English; proficiency in relevant local languages is highly desirable.
• Strong commitment to ethical principles and confidentiality in mental health practice.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to make sound decisions in challenging situations.

HOW TO APPLY.

To apply for this position, please send your motivation letter, CV, Degree, ID/passport and other certificates, two recommendation letters from your previous employer plus a church recommendation to: recruitment@pfrwanda.org and mention the title of the position “MHPSS and PSN project Coordinator” in the subject line of the email.

The application should be addressed to the Executive Director of Prison Fellowship Rwanda and the document should be in one PDF format.

Apply before 20th August 2024 at 5:00pm. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. For more information about Prison Fellowship Rwanda, visit: www.pfrwanda.org 

“Prison Fellowship Rwanda has a zero tolerance to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse of beneficiaries. Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) is everyone’s responsibility”.