Position: MHPSS & Child Protection Officer, IsraAID Jamaica Response

Contract duration: 1 month (with option to extend) 

SUMMARY 

Following the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa, on October 31st IsraAID  has deployed is deploying an emergency response team to Jamaica to support affected communities. The response is focusing on strengthening emotional wellbeing, protection, soft WASH and resilience among populations impacted by the hurricane, in close coordination with national authorities, UN agencies, and local partners. 

The MHPSS & Child Protection Officer/Coordinator will support the design, implementation, and monitoring of IsraAID’s MHPSS and Child Protection interventions in response to Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica. The position focuses on hands-on implementation and field coordination, as well as strengthening national and community capacity for psychosocial support and protection through training, service delivery, and the establishment of Safe Spaces across affected parishes. 

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

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 

1. Program Implementation and Management
   

• Lead the implementation of MHPSS and Child Protection activities across affected communities, ensuring quality, inclusivity, and accountability. 

• Support the establishment, operation, and supervision of Safe Spaces for children and vulnerable groups in affected communities 

• Conduct regular field visits to monitor activities, provide support to field teams, and ensure adherence to IsraAID’s technical and safeguarding standards. 

• Coordinate with shelter management, health, and education representatives to integrate psychosocial and protection components into existing community and institutional structures. 

• Develop and maintain referral pathways for individuals requiring specialized or long-term support. 

• Participate in rapid assessments and ongoing context analysis to adapt programming to evolving needs. 

• Ensure timely reporting, documentation of activities, and data collection for monitoring and evaluation purposes. 

• Support the development and use of logframes, work plans, and implementation timelines, ensuring alignment with donor and IsraAID requirements. 

1. Coordination and Representation
   

• Coordinate with relevant ministries, local authorities, and community stakeholders to ensure alignment and complementarity of activities. 

• Represent IsraAID in relevant working groups, technical meetings, and inter-agency coordination forums. 

• Maintain regular communication with partners to ensure information sharing and avoid duplication of efforts. 

• Support the identification and engagement of local partners and contribute to strengthening their operational and technical capacities. 

1. Capacity Building and Technical Support
   

• Design and deliver training sessions and workshops on MHPSS, Psychological First Aid (PFA), Child Protection, and staff wellbeing for local professionals and frontline responders. 

• Provide technical supervision and mentoring to local partners and field staff implementing psychosocial and protection activities. 

• Support the adaptation and contextualization of IsraAID’s MHPSS and Protection tools and materials to the Jamaican context. 

• Ensure continuous learning and improvement through the collection of lessons learned and best practices. 

ESSENTIAL SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND COMPETENCIES 

Required skills & experience: 

• BA 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 & deep introduction to the Caribbean islands – advantage 

• Knowledge and experience of emergency context, especially protection and logistics response in emergency settings 

• An excellent understanding of and practical experience with program design, program management cycle, M&E, and Ethics in Programming; 

• Substantial experience in the financial management of significant budgets 

• Demonstrated organizational skills; Able to consistently meet tight deadlines; 

• Significant experience with international coordination structures 

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.