Background

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is a UN agency that works in about 170 countries and territories, helping eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities and exclusion, and build resilience. It thereby helps them sustain progress and achieve Sustainable Development Goals. In Ukraine, UNDP operates with three programme priorities: Democratic Governance and Inclusive Social Fabric, Inclusive and Sustainable Economic Recovery and Growth, and Sustainable Environment and Energy Transformation.

Since the start of the hostilities in 2014 and the full-scale invasion in 2022, UNDP in Ukraine has been present on the ground, through its hubs around the country, supporting regional and local authorities and civil society partners in their emergency response and crisis management efforts.

Lessons from the past years informed the development of UNDP’s Country Programme Document (2025-2029) and the scale-up of the Area-Based Recovery (ABR) Framework. The Framework’s programmatic pillars of Reconstruction, Returns, Resilience, and Reforms are focused on ensuring community recovery and creating conditions for the return to a development pathway in Ukraine.

The Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Analyst will support the design, implementation, coordination and monitoring of MHPSS initiatives under the Area-Based Recovery Framework, with a particular focus on strengthening community-based MHPSS systems and services.

The incumbent will promote UNDP's mandate as a gender-responsive organization with zero tolerance to discriminatory and abusive behaviour, including sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse.

Duties and Responsibilities

1)    Contribute to the design and implementation of MHPSS initiatives under the ABR Framework:
•    Contributing to the design, planning and implementation of MHPSS initiatives in line with UNDP programme priorities and relevant national and international MHPSS approaches and standards.
•    Providing technical inputs to the development of MHPSS strategies, concepts, project documents, Terms of Reference, grant initiatives, guidance materials and other relevant programme documents.
•    Contributing to the integration of MHPSS considerations into relevant ABR interventions, including community recovery, social services, healthcare, veteran reintegration and support to vulnerable population groups.

2)    Support implementation of community-based MHPSS system strengthening initiatives:
•    Providing technical support to projects implemented with partners aimed at assessing and strengthening MHPSS systems at community level.
•    Supporting the planning and implementation of community-level assessments, including mapping of MHPSS services and stakeholders, identification of needs, service gaps, barriers to access and opportunities for strengthening local MHPSS systems.
•    Providing technical and programmatic support to initiatives aimed at strengthening referral pathways, case management, multidisciplinary cooperation and intersectoral coordination at community level.
•    Facilitating engagement and coordination with local authorities, healthcare and social service providers, civil society organizations and other relevant stakeholders to support implementation of community-based MHPSS initiatives.
•    Supporting the development and implementation of practical recommendations and locally appropriate solutions aimed at improving accessibility, coordination, continuity and quality of MHPSS services.
•    Providing technical inputs to procurement processes related to the establishment or strengthening of MHPSS services and infrastructure, including preparation and review of technical specifications and requirements.

3)    Ensure coordination and implementation of MHPSS projects and activities:
•    Coordinating implementation of assigned MHPSS activities with implementing partners and other relevant stakeholders.
•    Monitoring implementation progress and following up with partners on agreed activities, deliverables, timelines and expected results.
•    Reviewing technical and programme deliverables submitted by implementing partners and providing inputs and recommendations, as appropriate.
•    Identifying implementation challenges and contributing to the development of practical solutions and adjustments in coordination with relevant programme colleagues and partners.
•    Participating in relevant MHPSS coordination mechanisms, as appropriate, and contributing to coordination, collaboration and information exchange with relevant partners and stakeholders.

4)    Contribute to monitoring, reporting, capacity development and knowledge management:
•    Monitoring and analysing results of MHPSS interventions and contributing to programme-level monitoring and reporting.
•    Collecting, analysing and systematizing information on implementation progress, results, challenges and lessons learned.
•    Contributing to the preparation of programme reports, analytical materials, presentations, briefs and other MHPSS-related documentation.
•    Supporting the design and implementation of capacity-development activities based on identified needs and gaps, including trainings, workshops, consultations, conferences and knowledge-sharing events.
•    Identifying and documenting lessons learned, good practices and approaches that may inform further development and replication of MHPSS interventions.
•    Contributing to knowledge sharing on MHPSS within the ABR portfolio and with relevant partners and stakeholders.

5)    Promote Gender Equality and a Safe, Inclusive Workplace
•    Demonstrate leadership and personal accountability in fostering an organizational culture of gender equality and zero tolerance for any form of sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment.
•    Respect and promote diversity and inclusion by ensuring all team members, partners, and vendors are treated equally and fairly, regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation, ethnicity, ability, or other identity markers.
•    Model respectful professional behavior by identifying and addressing sexism, gender discrimination, and other forms of bias in internal and external interactions.
•    Ensure all personnel and partners are informed of, and adhere to, corporate policies on sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse, and codes of conduct.
•    Support work-life balance and care responsibilities by recognizing the caregiving roles of both women and men, and encouraging the use of family-friendly policies, flexible work arrangements, and inclusive facilities.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangement

The MHPSS Analyst will work under the direct supervision of the Local Services Specialist, in close coordination with relevant ABR programme personnel, implementing partners and other stakeholders. The Head of the Area-Based Recovery provides the overall oversight.

Competencies

Core
Achieve Results:	LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
Think Innovatively:	LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements
Learn Continuously:	LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
Adapt with Agility:	LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible
Act with Determination:	LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
Engage and Partner:	LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
Enable Diversity and Inclusion:	LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Thematic Area	Name	Definition
Business Management	Project Management	Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.
Business Direction & Strategy	System Thinking	Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgment to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.
Business Direction & Strategy	Effective Decision Making	Take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one's authority, area of expertise and resources and take into consideration potential wider implications.
Business Direction & Strategy	Negotiation and Influence	Reach a common understanding/agreement, persuade others, resolve points of difference through a dialogue, negotiate mutually acceptable solutions and create ‘win-win’ situations.
Business Development	Knowledge Generation	Ability to research information and to turn it into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need. Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations, and to develop new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches. Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situations.
2030 Agenda: Peace	Conflict Prevention, Peacebuilding and Responsive Institutions	Community engagement for prevention, response, and social cohesion
2030 Agenda: Peace	Conflict Prevention, Peacebuilding and Responsive Institutions	Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Prevention and Peacebuilding

Required Skills and Experience

Min. Education requirements	Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Psychology, Mental Health, Public Health, Management, Social Sciences or other related fields is required; or A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s Degree) in the areas stated above, in combination with an additional 2 years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of a Master’s Degree.
Min. years of relevant Work experience	Applicants with Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field of study are not required to have professional work experience. Applicants with a Bachelor’s degree in the areas stated above are required to have a minimum of two (2) years of relevant professional experience at the national or international level in mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS), psychology, community-based programming, social services, or other related areas.
Desirable criteria	Experience in the development of MHPSS-related programme and technical documentation, including strategies, concepts, Terms of Reference, analytical materials, reports, guidance materials and/or technical specifications Experience in supporting community-based initiatives in the areas of mental health and psychosocial support Prior experience with a UN Agency or International Organization in the field of Mental Health Experience of cooperation with national and local authorities, communities, educational and healthcare institutions, civil society organizations, and other relevant stakeholders. Experience in organizing complex procurement processes of different modalities (RFQs, ITBs or RFPs). Experience in delivering trainings, workshops, seminars.
Required Language(s)	Fluency in English and Ukrainian is required.

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

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Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Analyst, NPSA-8, DS: Dnipro, Kharkiv, or Mykolaiv (1 position), National Position