Programme Coordinator - MHPSS & Child Protection, Jamaica

Position: MHPSS & Child Protection Coordinator, IsraAID Jamaica Response

Location: Montego Bay, Jamaica (mobilizing through affected parishes)

Contract type: Full time, in person

Start Date: Immediate

Contract duration: 2 months (extendable, subject to funding)

Reports to: Head of Mission

SUMMARY

Following the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa, on October 31st, IsraAID has deployed an emergency response team to Jamaica to support affected communities. The response focuses on strengthening the resilience of affected communities through MHPSS and CP programs and in close collaboration with national authorities, UN agencies, and local partners.

The MHPSS & Child Protection Coordinator will lead the strategic direction, design, implementation, and monitoring of IsraAID’s MHPSS and Child Protection programs in the Recovery phase post Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica. The position focuses on programmatic coordination and hands-on implementation, as well as strengthening national and communities’ capacity for psychosocial support and protection through training, service delivery, and the establishment of Safe Spaces across affected parishes.

The role combines program management and direct program implementation with capacity-building and collaboration with local professionals, community structures, and partner agencies.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Program Management and Implementation

· Provide overall strategic leadership for MHPSS and Child Protection programming, ensuring alignment with IsraAID’s global frameworks, humanitarian standards, and the evolving context in Jamaica.

· Lead the design, planning, and oversight of MHPSS and CP interventions, translating needs assessments and contextual analysis into coherent, high-quality programs.

· Ensure programs are rights-based, survivor-centered, culturally appropriate, and responsive to the needs of children, caregivers, and vulnerable populations.

· Oversee work plans, implementation strategies, and timelines, ensuring effective use of resources and timely delivery of activities.

· Contribute to proposal development, budgets, and donor reporting related to MHPSS and Child Protection programming.

· Ensure donor compliance, risk management, and financial accountability within the scope of MHPSS and CP activities.

2. Team Management and Technical Guidance

· Line-manage the MHPSS and CP Officer(s), community mobilisers and other relevant programmatic staff, providing regular supervision, performance management, and professional development support.

· Ensure clear roles, responsibilities, and communication within the MHPSS and CP team.

· Promote staff care, wellbeing, and ethical practice, particularly in high-stress humanitarian settings.

· Foster a supportive, inclusive, and learning-oriented team culture.

· Provide senior technical guidance on MHPSS and Child Protection, including Psychological First Aid, community-based psychosocial support, and child safeguarding.

· Ensure the consistent application of technical standards, safeguarding policies, and ethical principles across all activities in coordination with the Global Protection Technical Advisor.

· Oversee the development, adaptation, and use of MHPSS and CP tools, guidelines, and training materials suited to the Jamaican context.

· Monitor program quality through regular reviews, supervision visits, and feedback mechanisms, ensuring continuous improvement.

· Ensure safe and effective referral pathways are established and functioning for specialized mental health and child protection services.

3. Coordination, Representation, and Partnerships

· Represent IsraAID in relevant national and sub-national coordination forums, technical working groups, and inter-agency meetings related to MHPSS and Child Protection.

· Lead engagement with government counterparts, UN agencies, NGOs, and community-based organizations to ensure alignment, complementarity, and adherence to national systems.

· Strengthen partnerships with local actors, supporting capacity strengthening and sustainable approaches to MHPSS and CP service delivery.

4. Monitoring and Evaluation

· Oversee monitoring and evaluation frameworks for MHPSS and CP programs, ensuring data collection, analysis, and use for decision-making.

· Ensure timely, accurate, and high-quality narrative and quantitative reporting for internal and external stakeholders.

· Promote accountability to affected populations through feedback and complaint mechanisms.

· Lead documentation of lessons learned, best practices, and program outcomes to inform adaptation and future programming in emergencies.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND COMPETENCIES

Required skills & experience:

· BA or higher in Social Work, Psychology, or other relevant fields.

· Minimum of 5 years' experience working in humanitarian or development settings

· Fluent English - A MUST

· Working experience & knowledge about Caribbean islands – an advantage

· Knowledge and experience of the emergency context, especially Child Protection and MHPSS in emergency settings.

· Demonstrated organizational skills; able to consistently meet tight deadlines

· Experience in team management

ETHICAL STANDARDS

IsraAID has a zero-tolerance policy towards any acts of misconduct and Sexual Exploitation and Abuse. The recruitment process will include all candidates’ declaration and reference checks focused on misconduct and SEA.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

IsraAID is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or disability status.