ROLE PURPOSE: 

The Child Protection and Mental Health and PsychoSocial Support Coordinator (CP & MHPSS Coordinator) is responsible for leading the implementation, coordination and monitoring of integrated CP and MHPSS programming in South Area Office (Mykolaiv and Kherson Oblasts). including both direct and partner-led interventions. Under the leadership and supervision of the Child Protection Programme Manager and with technical support from CP & MHPSS Technical Advisors, the Coordinator ensures high-quality, evidence-based and contextually relevant programming that supports the safety, mental well-being, and resilience of children, adolescents, and families.

The role encompasses planning, implementation, capacity building, monitoring, and reporting, with responsibilities for budget oversight and procurement. The Coordinator plays a key role in strengthening community-based child protection systems, promoting cross-sectoral integration, and ensuring alignment with global standards, including the IASC MHPSS Guidelines and CPMS. The post holder also supports the operationalization and use of PRIME (Save the Children’s Programme Reporting, Information, Management and Evidence system) for the components under their responsibility, contributing to accurate planning, tracking, and reporting.

From a technical perspective, the Coordinator is responsible for overseeing the implementation of key programmatic components and Save the Children’s Common Approaches, including Safe Families, structured MHPSS interventions (such as HEART, TeamUp and ISMF), and other group-based activities delivered in Child-Friendly Spaces, learning centres, or other community settings. These interventions aim to promote well-being, strengthen protective environments, and ensure children’s access to safe, inclusive, and supportive services.

The CP & MHPSS Coordinator works closely with internal teams (, Case Management, Gender, Alternative Care, Education, MEAL, and Operations) and external partners to ensure effective collaboration, technical quality, and operational efficiency. The role also involves advocacy and technical support for staff well-being. In the event of a major humanitarian emergency, the role holder will be expected to work outside the normal role profile and be able to vary working hours accordingly.

SCOPE OF ROLE: 

Reports to: Child Protection Programme Manager. Technical support is provided to the CP & MHPSS Coordinator position through multi-sectoral Technical Advisors, mainly CP & MHPSS Technical Advisors based in Kyiv. 

Staff directly reporting to this post:CP & MHPSS Officer

Role Dimensions:

Geographic coverage: South Area Office (Mykolaivska and Khersonska Oblasts) Operational scale (supervision of Partners on MHPSS and Safe Families, supervision of MHPSS Facilitators and CP & MHPSS Officer, more than awards management, coordinate with other sectors for integrated programming) Coordination roles: South Oblast MHPSS TWG (Odesa, Mykolaiv)

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY

. Programme Identification and Planning

Contribute to needs assessments: Conduct analysis of local context and lead general and specific needs assessments to identify needs, gaps, priorities informing the design of CP and MHPSS interventions Design CP & MHPSS interventions: Participate in the design and planning of CP and MHPSS activities, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and donor requirements. Support proposal development: Provide data and support Technical Advisors in developing proposals with CP and MHPSS components within the projects. Contribute to budget development for specific activities and work with partners on their budget Coordinate with other sectors: Collaborate with other sectors (, Education, FSL, Shelter/NFI, WASH) to ensure integrated and holistic programming. Develop and maintain work plans: Create detailed implementation, procurement, and work plans as needed with relevant supervisors.

. Award Implementation and Management

Support award kick-off processes: Assist the PM and Awards team in planning and sharing the CP and MHPSS components of the implementation. Develop and maintain detailed implementation, procurement, and work plans for their specific project components, including joint planning with other Coordinators. Select, engage, motivate, coordinate, train, and supervise SCI MHPSS for direct activities, with technical support from the MHPSS TA Identify appropriate locations for the implementation of group-based activities (, Child-Friendly Spaces, Community Resilience Centres, learning facilities), ensuring they meet safety, accessibility, and inclusivity standards in line with global minimum standards. Ensure that each implementation site has a clear exit or handover strategy in place to promote sustainability and community ownership at the end of the project cycle. Day-to-day delivery of activities: Manage the implementation of CP and MHPSS activities, including group activities for children and caregivers, structured MHPSS activities, family outreach, and community awareness programmes.  Collaborate with the Education team to support in projects where MHPSS is mainstreamed into education through structured activities such as heart, Team Up and ISMF, organised in learning facilities Ensure use and follow-up of PRIME for CP and MHPSS activities under their responsibility. Budget oversight: Play as budget holder for CP and MHPSS activities of the awards, ensuring effective financial oversight, forecasting, and compliance with donor and SCI policies Work closely with the CP & MHPSS Programme Manager and other Coordinators to ensure effective coordination and delivery of CP response interventions. Community outreach: Lead community and local authority outreach work to prevent family separation and promote child protection.  Support the CM Coordinator in conducting/updating the service mappings with focus on MHPSS services, contributing to the quality vetting of potential referral options, and supporting the establishment/maintenance of referral pathways and mechanisms Compliance with standards: Ensure staff adhere to CP Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Guidelines, CPMS, and CVA for CP Guidance., and compliance with donor and SCI policies.

. Award Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning

Ensure programme quality: Conduct regular quality checks using approved Quality Benchmarks and ensure all documents, tools, and methodologies are accessible and in use.  Regularly monitor adherence to SC quality benchmarks, CPMS, IASC MHPSS guidelines, and Core Humanitarian Standards. Data collection and management: Collaborate with MEAL teams to oversee the accurate use of Commcare by staff and partners, sharing analysis with the Programme Manager and Technical Advisors.  Monitoring outputs/outcomes: Collaborate with MEAL teams to ensure accurate and timely documentation of programme activities and routine monitoring. Reporting and learning: Contribute to preparing regular reports for donors, partners, and internal stakeholders, and document finding and lessons learned Promote child participation: Implement child participation and feedback mechanisms throughout the project cycle.  Quality assurance: Collaborate with MEAL staff to set up effective and child-friendly feedback and accountability mechanisms.

. Award Closure and Learning

Support award close-out processes: Assist in documenting lessons learned and best practices. Final reporting: Support the development of timely, high-quality, data-driven, and evidence-based final reporting, coordinating inputs from across the CP team and partners.  Facilitate after-action reviews: Contribute to internal learning processes to inform future programming

. Team Management and/or Supervision: 

Staff management: Line manage and provide support and orientation for CP and MHPSS Officers. Staff supervision: Supervise facilitators for MHPSS and Safe Families Common Approach (SFCA).  Coaching and mentoring: Provide coaching and mentoring to staff and partners working on CP and MHPSS activities Capacity building: Provide training and ongoing supervision to staff and partners on the Safe Families Common Approach and structured MHPSS interventions (, HEART, TeamUp, YRP ISMF), ensuring quality and fidelity to the models. Performance management: Ensure staff under their line management have clear performance objectives and receive regular feedback. 

. Partnership Management

Capacity building and coordination: Coordinate with implementing partners and provide capacity building to ensure effective programme operations.  Oversight of partners: Liaise with partners for reporting purposes and ensure alignment with programme goals.  Review partner reports: Support adaptive planning to meet project goals. Develop relationships: Assist the PM in building partnerships with local NGOs, CSOs, and other actors to enhance programme quality. 

. External Representation and Engagement

Participation in clusters and working groups: Represent the organisation at relevant inter-agency working groups and task forces, such as regional CPAoRs, MHPSS WG, EORE WG. Support advocacy efforts: Collaborate with Advocacy, Campaigns, Communications, and Media teams.  Strengthen coordination: Participate in internal and external CP & MHPSS coordination platforms.

. Internal Coordination and Collaboration

Intra and cross-departmental work: Collaborate with various teams within the organization to gain technical support for quality assurance.  Foster collaboration: Ensure alignment with area-based approaches and strongly collaborate with Programme Development & Quality, MEAL, Awards, Finance, Safety and Security, and Operations teams across sectors. Communicate programme learning: Share programme learning internally and externally to provide guidance and technical input on strategic directions and programme design. Work closely with the Safety and Security Advisor to adapt programming to the evolving security context.

. General

Emergency response: Flexibility to work outside normal hours during emergencies.  Procurement planning and distribution: Responsible for procurement planning and distribution.  Adherence to policies: Ensure adherence to Save the Children’s Child Safeguarding Policy and other relevant policies and standards.  Promote team culture: Foster a positive, inclusive, and accountable team culture aligned with Save the Children’s values.  Continuous learning: Stay informed of sector trends and innovations, and promote continuous learning and capacity building for staff and partners.  Safety and security: Adhere to and promote Safety, Security & Risk Policies, standards, plans, and procedures. 

Additional job responsibilities

Act as Officer-in-Charge or step into the responsibilities of the Programme Manager when delegated or in their absence, ensuring continuity of leadership and decision-making. Foster a collaborative and cohesive team environment, ensuring that Child Protection and MHPSS components are implemented in synergy rather than in silos, reflecting the interdependent nature of child protection work. Delegate tasks effectively within the managed team, balancing workloads and supporting staff development through clear guidance, coaching, and follow-up. Contribute to cross-learning and integration across thematic areas and between field and technical teams, contributing to a unified and strategic programme approach.

QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

ESSENTIAL

Working Experience: 

Minimum of years of experience in the mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) field in a humanitarian context. - years of progressively advanced management experience in child protection and/or MHPSS or other relevant sectors. At least year of experience in emergency settings. + years of work experience in project coordination/management. Substantial experience in all aspects of project management within the NGO development sector, including working in partnership with local NGOs.

Academic: 

A post-graduate university degree ( or equivalent) in psychology, social sciences, mental health or other 

Job related knowledge: 

Sound knowledge of, and experience in applying, established inter-agency standards and guidelines in child protection and MHPSS, such as the IASC Guidelines on MHPSS, the Minimum Standards for Child Protection in Humanitarian Settings Demonstrable knowledge and understanding of Ukrainian context, especially related to children and youth, gender, family and appropriate approaches that can enhance engagement and attitude/behaviour change.  Experience working with children and adolescents, knowledge on child development and child and adolescent mental health Ability to maintain focus on long-term objectives and deliverables while addressing day-to-day programme/administrative issues.

Skills: 

Proven ability to work in culturally diverse and challenging environments, including emergency response. Excellent interpersonal, communication, and team management skills, including team leading and influencing. Proficient in MS Excel, MS Word, and Outlook. Creative problem-solving and analytical skills with the ability to work effectively in resource-constrained environments and with minimal supervision. Excellent presentation skills. Fluency in written and spoken Ukrainian and English

DESIRABLE

Attitude: 

To work in team Strong self-starter who takes initiative and proactively identify challenges and solutions Commitment to protecting vulnerable and at-risk children  To be non-discriminatory, inclusive and gender sensitive Commitment to Child Protection and humanitarian principles Patient, adaptable, able to improvise, and communicate clearly and effectively under pressure

Safeguarding

We need to keep children and communities safe so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children, adults in the communities and staff from abuse, exploitation, neglect and harm arising from our activities. The role holder shall perform their duties in line with the SCI SAFEGUARDING POLICY, hours a day, days a week, in both private and professional life.

Equal Opportunities

The role holder needs to perform the duties in accordance with SCI's equality, timeliness and diversity policies and procedures.

Health and safety

The role holder shall perform the necessary duties in accordance with the SCI health and safety policies and procedures.

Preventing Fraud, Bribery and Corruption

The role holder shall perform the necessary duties in according with COUNTER-FRAUD, BRIBERY & CORRUPTION POLICY and keep any activity during performance of duties free from any instances of fraud, bribery, theft and corruption.