MHPSS North East Syria

About the Organization:

Médicos del Mundo Spain is an international humanitarian and development organization that works to guarantee the right to health for populations affected by conflict, disasters, exclusion, and inequality. MdM Spain implements emergency, recovery, and development interventions in multiple countries through integrated approaches combining health, mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS), protection, gender-based violence response, community health, and advocacy. MdM Spain promotes equitable, people-centered, and community-based health systems, with particular attention to vulnerable and underserved populations.

Mission

Since 2017, MdM Spain has been operating in Syria through integrated humanitarian health programming focused on improving access to essential health and mental health services for conflict-affected populations. The mission supports primary healthcare, MHPSS, protection mainstreaming, community-based approaches, and capacity strengthening of local actors and healthcare providers. MdM’s interventions in Syria emphasize integration of mental health into primary healthcare, strengthening community engagement mechanisms, and promoting sustainable and context-adapted approaches that respond to the evolving needs of affected communities and the health system. The mission works in coordination with health and MHPSS sector actors, local authorities, and community stakeholders to improve access, quality, and continuity of care.

About the Position

The MHPSS Coordinator is responsible for leading the design, technical oversight, implementation, monitoring, and strategic development of MdM’s MHPSS programming in Syria, in line with MdM quality standards, national priorities, and humanitarian principles. This also requires the development of technical procedures adapted to the context, dynamize and prepare capacity building activities and promote the sustainability of MHPSS interventions. In close collaboration with the Medical Coordinator and operational teams, the MHPSS Coordinator will ensure the integration of mental health and psychosocial support within primary health care and community-based health approaches. The position will play a key role in strengthening sustainable and context-adapted MHPSS models that are community-centered, resource-conscious, and aligned with the evolving health system and policy environment in Syria. The candidate will participate on behalf of MdM in MHPSS cluster meetings and other coordination or technical platforms if requested. The position will be based in Raqqa with frequent travel to MdM areas of operations as well as to base offices in Hassakeh and Ain-al-Arab/Kobane. The primary duty station of position may be relocated based on mission needs.

Emphasis will be placed on:

Ensure the humanitarian principles in place for all activities and actions, protection mainstreaming and focus in vulnerable population in MHPSS programming and integration of GBV. Review, contribute, and update MHPSS strategy considering the contextual realities and alignment with Ministry of Health’s objectives. Subsequently ensure its implementation with regular follow-up for further refinement. Review, contribute, and update the Community Engagement Strategy considering the contextual dynamics and sensitivities, focusing on community-based MHPSS approaches. Revitalization and/or strengthening of community structures and support groups. Develop and update local structures/services mapping. Integration of MHPSS into primary health care services. Capacity building of national actors and frontline workers as well internal MdM team. Coordination with Ministry of Health structures and technical working groups. Adaptation and recalibration of existing interventions to ensure operational feasibility and long-term sustainability. Development of technical material (SOP, adapt guidelines). Supporting the integration of protection mainstreaming as crosscutting approach.

Geographical scope of intervention

The MHPSS Coordinator will be based in Raqqa with regular visits to the operational sites. The person can be relocated within Syria as per mission needs.

Organization chart

The Mental Health referent at HQ is the technical supervisor of MHPSS Co. The MHPSS Coordinator will report to the Deputy Country Coordinator and will closely work with the Medical Coordinator. The person will provide technical supervision and support to MHPSS officers, community teams, and relevant health staff involved in integrated MHPSS activities. The size and composition of the team may evolve depending on operational priorities and funding.

Job Functions

Strategical support to the Program: The position is expected to support the progressive transition toward sustainable and locally anchored MHPSS models by identifying interventions that can realistically be maintained within existing community and health system capacities in Syria. Contribute actively to the design and implementation of MdM’s MHPSS strategy in Syria. Lead the development of context-adapted MHPSS approaches aligned with the evolving Syrian health and community context. Conduct strategic reviews of existing MHPSS interventions and recommend adjustments to improve: sustainability, operational efficiency, community ownership, scalability, and resource optimization. Support the transition from heavily resource-dependent interventions toward lighter and community-driven models where appropriate. Ensure alignment of MHPSS programming with national health priorities, WHO guidance, and relevant technical frameworks. Lead or support assessments, mapping exercises, and needs analyses related to MHPSS and community mental health. Identify opportunities for integration of MHPSS into primary healthcare and community health systems. Contribute to proposal development, donor engagement, and technical narrative writing. Develop partnerships and technical collaboration with national actors, community-based organizations, and relevant institutions.

Technical support to MHPSS Program: Ensure technical quality and coherence of MdM’s MHPSS interventions across all areas of implementation. Provide technical supervision and mentoring to MHPSS and health teams. Support development and implementation of: referral pathways, case management systems, community outreach mechanisms, and integrated care models. Ensure MHPSS activities are integrated with health, protection, and community-based programming. Strengthen community participation and community ownership within MHPSS interventions. Support the revitalization or establishment of community groups, peer-support initiatives, and community focal point systems. Promote approaches that reinforce social cohesion, resilience, inclusion, and local coping capacities. Ensure appropriate integration of protection mainstreaming, including gender-sensitive and inclusive approaches. Support development and adaptation of IEC and awareness materials appropriate to the Syrian context.

Community Mental Health and Systems Strengthening: Support development of community-based mental health approaches linked to primary healthcare structures. Promote practical and scalable integration of mental health into PHC services in line with WHO mhGAP, other WHO MHPSS methodologies and national directions where feasible. Support capacity strengthening of healthcare providers, community workers, and local partners on integrated MHPSS approaches. Contribute technically to discussions related to community health systems and mental health system strengthening. Identify realistic operational models that can progressively be absorbed or supported by local systems over time. Support advocacy and technical dialogue on sustainable and community-oriented MHPSS approaches.

Coordination, Representation, and Advocacy: Represent MdM in relevant MHPSS, health, protection, and technical coordination forums. Maintain close coordination with: Ministry of Health actors, health and MHPSS working groups, local authorities, UN agencies, and implementing partners. Contribute to technical advocacy initiatives related to: community mental health, integration of MHPSS into PHC, and sustainable service delivery models. Develop technical briefs, lessons learned, and operational recommendations.

Training and Capacity Building: Develop and support implementation of training plans for MHPSS and health staff. Support capacity building on: community-based MHPSS, WHO MHPSS interventions (mhGAP, PM+, among others), psychological first aid, basic psychosocial support, referral systems, and integrated service delivery. Promote coaching, supportive supervision, and on-the-job learning approaches. Strengthen technical competencies of national staff and local partners.

Contribute to strengthen Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning for MHPSS: Support development and monitoring of MHPSS indicators and quality standards. Monitor implementation quality and provide recommendations for programme improvement. Ensure lessons learned and field realities are integrated into programme adaptation. Contribute to donor reporting and technical documentation. Promote learning and knowledge sharing across teams and partners.

Human Resources: Participate in recruitment, onboarding, mentoring, and performance management of MHPSS staff. Support development of competency frameworks and technical growth plans. Contribute to staff wellbeing and support initiatives. This list of functions is not exhaustive and may change depending on the situation.

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Academic background: Degree in Psychology, Psychiatry, Clinical Psychology, Social Work, Public Mental Health, or related field. Master’s degree in public health, Mental Health, Humanitarian Action, Community Health, or related field is an asset. Training in community-based mental health, WHO MHPSS methodologies (mhGAP and others), psychosocial or humanitarian programming is highly desirable.

Requirements: Language: Fluent English (written and spoken), Arabic, and/or Kurdish. Computer requirements: Good command of Microsoft Office applications.

Expérience: Knowledge and experience of project cycle management (assessment, design, monitoring, evaluation, learning, etc.) Understanding of the regional/Syrian context and community dynamics is a strong asset. Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in MHPSS programming in humanitarian or fragile settings. Strong experience in community-based MHPSS approaches. Demonstrated experience in developing or revitalizing community groups and community support structures. Experience integrating MHPSS into primary healthcare programmes. Experience working with health systems, local authorities, and/or Ministries of Health. Experience in coordination forums and technical working groups. Experience adapting programmes in resource-constrained environments. Experience in capacity building and mentoring of national teams. Knowledge of WHO mhGAP and integrated MHPSS models is highly desirable.

Competence profile: Strong strategic and analytical thinking. Ability to work independently and proactively.

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** Strong facilitation and coordination skills. Ability to balance technical quality with operational realities and resource limitations. Strong communication and interpersonal skills. Capacity to work in complex and evolving environments. Strong organizational and prioritization skills. Commitment to humanitarian principles and MdM values.

Availability: Immediately

Salary: According to salary chart of staff for MdM-Spain.

Please note: Médicos del Mundo promotes equal opportunities for all people. We establish positive action measures for those who, due to functional diversity or social and / or cultural exclusion, belong to under-represented groups in the positions offered. As a result, no candidate with a valid profile will be rejected because of a functional diversity or for being culturally or socially excluded for reasons of birth, ethnicity, race, sex, gender or any other personal, social or cultural condition.

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