Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Coordinator

SOS MEDITERRANEE is a civil European rescue association founded in 2015 to face the humanitarian tragedy and the lack of adequate state rescue capacity in the Mediterranean on the deadliest maritime migratory route in the world since 2014. Created by a group of European citizens, our maritime and humanitarian organisation has three missions:

1. To rescue people in distress at sea.

2. To protect and assist survivors on board our ship.

3. To bear witness and raise awareness about the tragedy unfolding in the central Mediterranean.

Today, SOS MEDITERRANEE is a network composed of four European entities (Germany, France, Italy, Switzerland) sharing the objective to support our rescue operations at sea. Search and Rescue (SAR) operations have been carried out since February 2016 in the Central Mediterranean off the Libyan coasts with the chartered ships Aquarius and Ocean Viking. To date, over 40.000 people have been rescued by SOS MEDITERRANEE.

SOS MEDITERRANEE is currently looking for a Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Coordinator.

Under the management of the HR&Finance Manager, the MHPSS coordinator defines and implement policies related to staff care management and psychosocial support for both onshore and onboard teams (approx. 70%). Under the management of the Head of Post Rescue, the MHPSS Coordinator develops and follows MHPSS interventions for survivors (approx. 30%).

Mission 1: To define and disseminate SOS MEDITERRANEE MHPSS policy 

• Perform an in-depth internal assessment, mapping the existing systems for staff support, guidance, and initiatives within SOS, focusing on onboard and onshore teams 

• Evaluate the effectiveness of these systems, addressing challenges encountered at various stages such as preparedness, during and post rotation support 

• Undertake comprehensive research to identify and assess external, evidence-based best practices in support systems for staff care during emergencies. This research will cover the four crucial phases: preparedness, prevention, intervention, and maintenance

• Capitalize on the existing support mechanisms in place  

• Elaborate SOS MED policy related to MHPSS management  

• Disseminate the SOS MED MHPSS approach internally and externally (workshop, conference, networking etc.)  

• Sensitize the managers on the importance of staff care management and stress prevention 

• Monitor what is done in other organizations related to staff care management   

• Ensure a mapping of the actors/service providers in staff care management 

• Participate in any working group related to psychosocial risk and contribute to the elaboration of their action plan 
  
  

 Mission 2: To supervise and coordinate the PSS pool and PSS partners    

• Organize regular meetings with the psychologist support pool  

• Activate the psychologists pool in case of critical incident  

• Contract new pool members when needed  

• Capitalize on the psychologists’ pool experience 

• Ensure the respect of confidentiality within the pool 

Mission 3: To ensure well-being check-ins and psychosocial follow-up of employees (ship/shore)  

• Ensure the new hires (ship) receive a well-being check-in prior to their rotation 

• Ensure the new hires (ship/shore) are briefed on the existing support mechanisms within SOS MEDITERRANEE  

• Communicate the contact of each new employee with the psychologist support pool 

• Coordinate critical incident stress management response following particularly difficult missions (in coordination with support pool) and follow up

• Monitor crew well-being and maintain regular check ins/ communication with team leads, flagging any concerns around mental health or burnout 

• Identify possible referral pathways/ build network of contact list of other services in case long term needs arise  

Mission 4: To support the post-rescue team with MHPSS activities for survivors 

• Advise and follow up on MHPSS activities for survivors onboard 

• Conduct training to the post rescue team on MHPSS interventions for survivors (including PFA) 

• Create culturally appropriate mental health resources for survivors 

Qualification and experience:

• Master’s degree in psychology, counselling or mental health related field 

• Certification in Psychological First Aid (PFA)

• At least 2 years in MHPSS and previous experience in NGOs. 

• A past experience in critical incident stress management (CISM) or equivalent high-stress support framework 

• A previous experience in framing a MHPSS policy for an organization 

Skills:

• Training and facilitation 

• Mental health assessment & screening (briefing/debriefing) 

• Critical incident management/ trauma informed care 

• MHPSS implementation/ program monitoring 

• Understanding of SAR medical needs and appropriate medical response desired

• Excellent communication skills 

• Adaptability and ability to cope with frequent changes and stress 

• Sense of confidentiality and respect of professional secrecy  

• Good listening skills and problem-solving skills 

• Proficient with Ms Office, including teams

Language:

• Fluent in English (C1 spoken and written) and fluent in French, Italian, Spanish or Arabic would be a plus