CARE is a leading global humanitarian and development organization. In Pakistan, CARE started its operations in 2005 and since then has supported the Government of Pakistan’s efforts to reduce poverty and suffering of the people affected by disasters. CARE’s programs focus on helping Pakistan achieve its Sustainable Development Goals especially in the areas of Health, Education, Women’s Economic Empowerment and Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR). Since starting operations in Pakistan, CARE has responded with life-saving support to a series of large-scale disasters. Through emergency programs, CARE International in Pakistan (CIP) has provided relief, recovery and rehabilitation support to millions of Pakistanis affected by disastrous floods, earthquakes and displacement. CIP works through its local partners and a range of stakeholders for development, as well as emergency response related interventions, which makes collaboration a key component of its work, across the country. We are a nationally inclusive organization that strives to support the most vulnerable communities all over Pakistan, with particular attention to women and girls and youth.

Project Overview:

The goal of this anticipated three-year project is to improve the well-being of the most vulnerable community children - especially girls and those with disabilities - through the provision of inclusive, equitable and sustainable quality education in a safe and accessible learning environment.

The project will address core education improvements for vulnerable communities. It aligns with the National Education Policy recommendations for preparation of future emergencies, school safety, risk assessment, rehabilitation, and disaster management plans for continuation of education services. Furthermore, it is developed in alignment with the objectives of the provincial Education Sector Plans and School Safety Framework by strengthening capacities of teachers, children, and Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs) to mitigate risks in and around schools, and to build school and community level resilience to emergencies. The project will be implemented in 3 districts of KPK and 2 districts of Balochistan.

I. Job Summary:

Provide technical assistance to Education in Emergencies programming of CARE. The role will involve capacity building, introduction of new approaches for marginalized children, evidence generation, representation and coordination in multiple forums. The role will be reporting directly to the Senior Project Manager-EiE.

II. Job Responsibilities and Tasks;

60% of the time

• Ensure that MHPSS activities have sufficient resources and expertise at hand to build capacity, monitor, quality-assure, capture evidence and learning, and develop further in their ability to provide quality and needs-based MHPSS interventions.
• Be a focal point for CARE Pakistan for MHPSS related activities and represent CARE in relevant groups and fora, including relevant donor meetings as required.
• Supervise and support to the implementing partner and field staff in the project sites in the planning, implementation and monitoring of PSS activities that may include: recreational and psychosocial activities, individual support to vulnerable children, and trainings.
• Organize regular meetings with the MHPSS focal points in each intervention location, provide technical supervision to case workers, community mobilizers that provide 1-1 counselling to beneficiaries.
• Lead the continuous assessment of MHPSS needs of children, adolescents and ensure that these are appropriately reflected in program strategy and proposals.
• Support regular participatory activities with different groups of children, adolescents to identify issues affecting children in their communities, and assist the teams to develop appropriate responses;
• Identify training needs of the MHPSS teams and assist the development of training modules, MHPSS implementation tools and awareness raising activities for staff, volunteers, key community members and partners’ staff on various topics;
• Set-up of safe mechanisms for responding to the needs of vulnerable children at individual level;
• Invest in building positive relationships with the communities and raising awareness of MHPSS work;
• Work with cultural sensitivity and respect the dignity of refugees and members of the host communities at all times
• Coordinate the designing of children, adolescents and family assessments and psychometrics tools and supervise their administration.
• Support the implementation of the monthly action plan for the main PSS activities
• Technically supervise and support project’s partner field staff on providing basic psychosocial support for children through material review and approval, trainings, and on site observation and debriefing sessions.
• Ensure that the PSS activities in the project are implemented according to CARE and international standards.
• Assist CARE in developing and documenting a replicable psychosocial model
• Assist CARE in development and rolling out of MHPSS Monitoring &Evaluation tools,
• Coordinate with other specialists in the project
• Support to identify severe cases to be referred to psychological/psychiatric service providers
• Help in the capacity building of CARE and partner Staff across the humanitarian program.
• Perform other functions relative to Child Protection activities and initiatives that may be assigned by the direct supervisor.
• Ensure full compliance of Child Safeguarding Policy at field level and especially with CARE engaged personnel.

Representation & Advocacy & Organizational Learning

35% of the time

• Pro-actively identify advocacy opportunities, case studies and research opportunities which link with wider organizational strategic objectives, and turn these into action.
• Support on organizational level program policy, innovation, learning or representation initiatives in consultation with relevant internal stakeholders
• Develop strategic relationship with donor’s organizations and position CARE for multi-sector programming
• Work and technical lead in new project design and do technical writing of the new concept note and proposals
• Provide technical advice to other program staff on implementation strategy of MHPSS and proactively identify changes to MHPSS activities under the project if any to be approved by SPM

Any other task as assigned by the supervisor.

5% of the time

• Any other tasks or responsibilities based on organizational and programming need as assigned by Line Manager.
• Safety and Security is everyone’s responsibility within CI through full compliance and accountability (as per Principle of the CARE International Safety & Security Principles).

III. Problem Solving

Levels one and two of problem solving apply to the incumbent. The incumbent will be involved in daily routine activities, s/he also uses interpolative skills to pick and choose the right solution to address given problems.

IV. Qualifications (Know How)

a) Education/Training/Experience

• Advanced degree (MSC) in psychology, mental health or other relevant field
• Minimum 5 years of experience in MHPSS field
• Sound knowledge of protection in humanitarian aid context
• Proven capacity to supervise, and coach staff in MHPSS field
• experience of designing and managing major donor projects and understanding of donor compliance
• Experience of managing technical aspects of projects implemented by local partners
• Ability to analyze information, evaluate options, and think and plan strategically
• Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills including team leading and influencing.
• Experience in representing an organization in the coordination mechanism in emergency contexts.
• Experience in working with refugees and returnees
• Ability to write clear and well-argued project reports
• Experience of fund raising, proposal writing is highly desirable
• Excellent English writing and verbal communication skills
• Comfortable with high levels of ambiguity and able to take decisions independently in fluid context.
• Commitment to CARE values and Safeguarding.

b) Competencies:

Respect, accountability, building commitment, stress tolerance, collaboration, contributing to team success, customer focus and information monitoring.  

Team work – Able to work effectively with other people within a work group.

Writing – Able to communicate ideas and information in writing to ensure that information and messages are understood and have the desired impact.

V. Working Conditions and Level of Travel Required

The position is based in Islamabad with around 50% travel to field as per organizational and function requirement.

CARE International in Pakistan is an equal opportunity employer; only individuals who are shortlisted will be contacted for an interview. CARE has a zero-tolerance approach toward sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, and child abuse.

Note: Individuals can apply using Brightspyre or send their resumes directly to [email protected] clearly mentioning the position title in the subject line of the email, before the stated deadline. Please share your current as well as salary expectation along with the CV.