Save the Children International

Save the Children International is a leading global humanitarian organization that has been protecting children's rights worldwide for over 100 years. We operate in more than 100 countries, responding to emergencies, implementing innovative development programs, and advocating for children's rights on a global scale.

Our work in Ukraine began in 2014. Since then, we have significantly expanded our presence, providing support to children and families affected by war. Our key areas of focus include education, child protection, food security, social support, and advocacy to drive lasting change in children's lives.

ROLE PURPOSE:

The MHPSS Technical Advisor will provide technical leadership for high-quality, integrated MHPSS programming in Ukraine, aligned with global standards and evidence-based approaches. The role will support the strategic development, technical design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of MHPSS interventions across sectors, with a focus on improving outcomes for children in both emergency and development contexts.

The position will provide technical support, supervision, training, and coaching to staff and partners delivering MHPSS interventions through static Child-Friendly Spaces (CFS) and mobile approaches within Child Protection, Education, and other relevant sectors. It will also support the adaptation and contextualisation of evidence-based MHPSS tools and training packages in line with global and regional standards and the needs of each programme location.

Working under the technical guidance of the Global MHPSS Technical Advisor for MENAEE, the role will ensure interventions are evidence-based, contextually appropriate, and aligned with Save the Children’s priorities. The role will also contribute to advocacy, external representation, partnership development, and strengthening sustainable MHPSS systems and referral pathways in Ukraine.

In the event of a major humanitarian emergency, the role holder may be required to work outside the normal role profile and adjust working hours accordingly.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

Strategy and Leadership

• Provide overall strategic and technical steer to MHPSS programming in Ukraine, in line with CSP strategic priorities, humanitarian response priorities, and aligned with SC’s Global MHPSS Strategic Framework
• Lead on the development of a country-level MHPSS thematic steer, and/or on the identification of strategic priorities for MHPSS integration across sectors, informed by up-to-date appraisal of MHPSS assets and resources, needs and gaps in-country

Program Design and Technical Support

• Support programme development and lead on the identification and design of MHPSS initiatives or components across sectors and themes
• Support proposal development and donor reporting with technical inputs. Ensure that sufficient resources are earmarked to build capacity, monitor, quality-assure, capture evidence and learning, and strengthen quality and needs-based MHPSS programming.
• Contribute to ensuring the overall strategic coherence and contextual relevance of integrated MHPSS programming across projects and initiatives.
• Contribute to alignment with global standards (e.g., IASC Guidelines on MHPSS).
• Contribute to ensuing alignment with Save the Children's overall vision for MHPSS, strategic priorities and technical standards.
• Contribute to the coherence with national mental health strategies and priorities, including relevant Ukrainian frameworks such as the National Mental Health Action Plan and 25 Regional Action Plans (2024–2026), the Target Model of the MHPSS System of Ukraine, and the National Mental Health Concept Note (2017–2030).

Programme Quality and Technical Support

• Provide overall technical oversight of programme delivery; identify core strengths and areas for improvement, and build and implement relevant capacity support, training, coaching, mentoring and technical supervision plans across sectors.
• Lead on the development or contextualization of training modules, implementation tools and technical resources, informed by evidence and aligned with regional and global guidance
• Provide regular technical supervision, coaching, and mentoring to Coordinators, Officers, and partner staff delivering MHPSS interventions.
• Strengthen referral pathways between CP services and specialized mental health providers
• Support the adaptation and roll-out of evidence-based MHPSS training packages and tools, ensuring contextual relevance and fidelity to models.
• Strengthen technical supervision systems within SC’s and partners’ MHPSS operations
• Support in providing technical guidance and training to case management teams on incorporating psychosocial support into their work, as well as supporting the management of complex cases requiring specialized mental health services
• Support adaptation and implementation of remote MHPSS approaches where relevant

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning

• Collaborate with MEAL to ensure MHPSS indicators are tracked, analysed, and used for program improvement.
• Contribute to internal studies, learning agendas, and evidence generation on MHPSS outcomes and impact.
• Support documentation of lessons learned and good practices.

Coordination and Representation

• Represent Save the Children in national and regional MHPSS coordination platforms, technical working groups, and inter-agency forums.
• Foster collaboration with governmental and non-governmental actors, academic institutions, and service providers.
• Contribute to joint advocacy efforts and strategic partnerships.

Internal Collaboration

• Work closely with technical teams in Child Protection, Education, and other sectors to ensure integrated MHPSS programming.
• Provide technical guidance to field teams and contribute to cross-sectoral planning and quality assurance.
• Collaborate with PDQ, MEAL, Awards, and Operations teams to ensure strategic alignment and operational efficiency.

Additional job responsibilities

• Support emergency response activities as needed, including flexible working hours and rapid deployment.
• Participate in internal working groups and contribute to organizational initiatives related to safeguarding, gender, and innovation.

BEHAVIOURS (Values in Practice)

Accountability:

• Holds self accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Savethe Children values
• Holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities - giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit; providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved.

Ambition:

• Sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves and their team, takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages their team to do the same.
• Widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others
• Future orientated, thinks strategically and on a global scale.

Collaboration:

• Builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, Members and external partners and supporters.
• Values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength.
• Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to.

Creativity:

• Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions.
• willing to take disciplined risks.

Integrity:

• Honest, encourages openness and transparency; demonstrates highest levels of integrity.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

Education

• Advanced degree in Psychology, Clinical Social Work, Mental Health, or other relevant field.

Experience (Required) :

• Minimum 5 years of experience in MHPSS programming in humanitarian and non-humanitarian contexts.
• Strong understanding of, and experience with, child and adolescent mental health.
• Strong understanding of, experience with, integrating MHPSS across sectors.
• Experience in capacity building and technical support. Proven capacity to train, supervise, and coach staff in MHPSS technical skills and intervention delivery, based on evidence-based approaches and intervention packages- Expertise in MHPSS standards (e.g. IASC Guidelines on MHPSS, MSP, (Ensuring Quality in Psychological Support) EQUIP, etc.).
• Excellent communication and coordination skills.
• Ability to write clear and effective technical inputs and reports.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in Ukrainian.
• Advanced level of written and spoken English

Desirable:

• Knowledge of SCI MHPSS programs (e.g., Team Up, I Support My Friends “ISMF”, Youth Resilience Program “YRP”, Healing and Education through the ARTs “HEART”).
• Certification in Scalable Psychological Interventions (e.g. Group Problem Management Plus "Group PM+”, Early Adolescent Skills for Emotions “EASE”).