Director of Psychosocial Department

Saint Andrew’s Refugee Services, Cairo

Call for Applications: Director of Psychosocial Department

Founded in 1979, StARS is a refugee service provider in central Cairo that works to enhance the quality of life for refugees and vulnerable migrants through five broad program areas: education, psychosocial, legal, community outreach and unaccompanied youth and children support services. We provide high-quality services meeting the unaddressed needs of refugees, and we provide a safe and inclusive space for displaced people to come together as a community. We work for refugees, with refugees, to make rights recognition a reality.

StARS’ Mission: Driven by a commitment to solidarity and human dignity, StARS works both as displaced people and for displaced people to support the resilience and leadership of individuals and communities in their pursuit of an enhanced quality of life.

StARS’ Vision: StARS envisions a future where displaced people and the societies they join stand in solidarity, recognizing the strength and leadership of refugees. In this world, the displaced thrive with dignity, claiming their rights and enriching our shared human experience.

Standard of Professional Conduct: StARS and all its staff must adhere to the values and principles outlined in StARS’ Code of Conduct, Child Safeguarding Policy, and PSEAH policy.

Commitment to Gender, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion: StARS is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, respectful, and safe work environment where all persons are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. StARS expressly prohibits and will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or bullying in any work setting. We aim to increase the representation of women, people that are from country and communities we serve, and people who identify as races and ethnicities that are under-represented in global power structures.

We serve people from many places, including Eritrea, Ethiopia, Iraq, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.

To learn more please visit our website: www.stars-egypt.org or our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/standrewsrefugeeservices?fref=ts

Role

The Director of Psychosocial Department is responsible for the management of StARS’ Psychosocial Department programs and its staff in the provision of broad MHPSS services for refugee clients and staff. The Director of Psychosocial Department is responsible for all matters relating to program management, including development of projects, staffing, implementation of activities, monitoring and evaluation, and reporting. The Director of Psychosocial Department works alongside two Deputy Directors of Psychosocial Department and seven program coordinators to oversee the day-to-day running of StARS’ psychosocial services. The Director of Psychosocial Department leads a department of above 90 staff, mostly comprised of refugees.

The Director of Psychosocial Department is a central role in the Executive Leadership Team, working within the team of the Directors to oversee the effective management and the daily running of StARS and responsible for general support to its programs and staff.

For the first 6 - 12 months this role will be focused entirely on leading the Psychosocial Department. After 6 - 12 months, depending on performance, and in consultation with the postholder, a further process will

be held to integrate the postholder into the Executive Leadership Team.

Responsibilities

All duties are carried out in collaboration with StARS Directors, as part of the Executive Leadership Team of StARS. The Executive Leadership Team operates a model of peer supervision. An excellent collaborative working relationship with StARS directors are essential to the success of this role. The Director of Psychosocial Department performs a wide range of duties, including the following:

Programmatic and Technical

• To provide leadership to StARS' Psychosocial Department programs and staff.
• To maintain oversight and monitoring of activities across Psychosocial Department programs, in close coordination with the Deputy Directors of the Psychosocial Department and Program Coordinators.
• To ensure high quality psychosocial support and ensure a refugee rights-based approach is followed within StARS' Psychosocial Department services.
• To ensure that systems are in place for appropriate and fair response to clients.
• To ensure that comprehensive case management practices are in place within the relevant Psychosocial Department programs, including maintaining and updating electronic databases and records for each client.
• To ensure program monitoring and evaluation systems are in place and programming is reviewed based on results and emerging needs.
• To convene decision-making panels, and lead on decisions on the attribution of grants to assist clients with unmet medical needs, as well as those in need of emergency or ongoing cash assistance.
• To provide guidance to program staff on responding to emergency mental health and serious protection needs of clients, as well as recommendations for further action in response to cases and issues facing refugee communities.
• To ensure close coordination between the Psychosocial Department and Refugee Legal Aid Department, ensuring mental health and protection are adequately considered and addressed through collaborative psychosocial and legal programming.
• To ensure appropriate systems are in place for managing referrals from and to Refugee-Led Organizations for MHPSS and medical interventions, through close coordination with the Community Outreach Department.
• To maintain good working knowledge of the current political and social situations in the countries of origin of StARS’ clients and of the situation of refugee communities in Egypt.
• To maintain good working knowledge of relevant local and international guidelines, processes, and procedures.
• To develop program interventions and projects to meet developing needs among refugee communities in Egypt.
• To contribute towards the development of concept notes, full funding proposals and budgets for projects.
• To ensure accurate record keeping systems are in place for all Psychosocial Department Programs.

Supervisory

• To provide leadership and support to staff across Psychosocial Department programs.
• To provide direct supervision for Deputy Directors of Psychosocial Department, Program Coordinators, and cross programmatic staff and ensure supervision structures are in place for all Psychosocial Department staff.
• To lead on ensuring MHPSS interventions are available and implemented for StARS staff.
• To ensure training and professional development is provided for Psychosocial Department staff, for other StARS departments, and for psychosocial staff in refugee-led organizations.
• To ensure that all members of the Psychosocial Department carry out tasks in accordance with StARS’ policies, procedures, and standards, in particular ethics, conduct, confidentiality, anti-discrimination, and the prevention of sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse.
• To administer and support disciplinary procedures as needed, staff leave reimbursements, and other personnel management aspects.
• To participate in peer supervision among the Executive Leadership Team, providing supervision for at least one StARS director (once onboarded onto the Executive Leadership Team), and receiving individual supervision from a StARS director.

Policy and Advocacy

• To represent StARS in interagency coordination mechanisms, and provide direction for Psychosocial Department management in their participation.
• To lead in coordination with UNHCR Egypt, with other UN agencies, INGOs, and local organizations, to facilitate individual case-based and systemic advocacy, and to enhance referral mechanisms.
• To advocate with interested parties regarding the situation of refugees in Egypt.
• To provide data and insights that inform StARS’ advocacy strategy.
• To monitor policies and external developments affecting refugees in Egypt, paying special attention to particularly vulnerable or marginalized groups.

Finance and Administration

• To monitor and maintain strong financial records as per StARS financial procedures, and ensure proper financial documentation of all activities.
• To develop and oversee project budgets, and to work with the Director of Finance Department in ensuring expenditure, allocation, and financial reporting is in line with project budgets.
• In cooperation with the Director of Finance Department and StARS Executive Leadership Team, develop and implement StARS’ annual financial plan, identifying funding gaps and developing strategies accordingly.
• To ensure systematic recording of program activities is in place in compliance with Monitoring and Evaluation mechanisms and reporting requirements.
• To coordinate with the Human Resources Unit, ensuring the recording of personnel information and documents.

Communication and Reporting

• To communicate regularly with the Executive Leadership Team, reporting on all major issues and developments in the field and within the Psychosocial Department.
• To provide periodic reports and information sessions to the Executive Leadership Team, Deputy
• Directors, and where necessary management staff on psychosocial and MHPSS developments in Egypt.
• To provide input on MHPSS matters, as well as Psychosocial Department activities to support StARS’ applications to funding grants and donor reports.
• To promote information-sharing within the Psychosocial Department and StARS on all issues affecting the populations served by StARS. Once onboarded onto the Executive Leadership Team, to fully participate with the Executive Leadership Team for the management of StARS, reporting on all identified issues and developing solutions to organizational needs.
• Other duties as assigned.

Executive Leadership Team

• To actively engage in periodic and ad hoc meetings with the Executive Leadership Team.
• To be an active member of the Executive Leadership Team and to provide all necessary support to other Program Directors and to StARS.
• To ensure engagement within the Executive Leadership Team and its members is done in an
• inclusive manner.
• To participate in assigned Executive Leadership Team Sub-Committees.
• To engage and foster positive relationships with StARS donors and partners as required.
• To actively participate in organizational decision-making through a collective and inclusive
• approach.
• To ensure that StARS strategic objectives are reflected across StARS services and operations.
• To contribute to the implementation of StARS policies, procedures, and strategic objectives.

Qualifications and characteristics of the ideal candidate:

Technical

• Excellent oral and written English. Fluency in Arabic is an advantage. Highly developed written and verbal communication skills.
• Background in social work, psychology, or other relevant field, through academic studies and / or extensive work experience.
• A minimum of three years’ experience in working with refugees in roles relevant to this position.
• Experience in case management and the provision of mental health, medical, or psychosocial services to refugees or marginalized and vulnerable populations.
• Experience in project management and leadership of a team, including in recruitment, training, supervision, Monitoring and Evaluation, financial management, and performance reporting.

Personal

• A demonstrated ability to lead, motivate, supervise, guide, and support team members as well as cooperate with peers.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, with an ability to develop and maintain nuanced relationships according to interests, requirements, and need.
• Belief in and commitment to non-discrimination on the basis of gender, race, disability, religious belief, gender identity, and sexual orientation.
• Diplomacy and assertiveness; the ability to confront and discuss sensitive issues with respect and care.
• Skilled in obtaining information necessary to accomplish duties.
• Ability to prioritize work, multi-task, and meet deadlines.
• Problem analysis and problem resolution at both a strategic and functional level.
• Ability to express technical ideas and concerns in a non-technical environment.
• Ability to develop effective systems considering organizational effectiveness and impact on people.
• Strong organization and planning skills, detail-oriented.
• Ability to handle conflicting priorities in a fast-paced environment while working with limited resources.
• A positive attitude and collaborative approach to dealing with clients, volunteers, and staff.
• Commitment to StARS’ Vision and Mission.
• Lived experience of forced displacement is a distinct advantage.

Working Hours: The Director of Psychosocial Department is expected to be at work for 40 hours per week, between the hours of 9am and 5pm, from Sunday to Thursday. Longer hours, evening and weekend work are sometimes necessary. Work will be conducted both in StARS premises and also in refugee communities and centers.

Reporting to: The Director of Psychosocial Department will undergo a six to 12 months’ probation period during which they will be supervised by two members of the Executive Leadership Team. During the probation period, the Director is not a member of the Executive Leadership Team. Upon successful completion of probation, the Director will be a member of the Executive Leadership Team and will be supervised by the StARS Advisory Board.

StARS salaries are standardized per position according to a pay scale and are not negotiable based on the individual experiences and qualifications of the candidate. StARS salaries are competitive with the local market. Position salary will be discussed at the shortlisting and interview stage.

This position is subject to a three-month probationary period, at which time the employee’s performance will be reviewed and probation may be extended.

Closing date for applications: 30 September 2025

(Suitable applicants will be interviewed on a rolling basis. In order to be considered, please apply as soon as possible.)

Anticipated Starting date: As soon as possible

To apply: Please send your Cover Letter and CV to applications@stars-egypt.org using the subject line “Director of Psychosocial Department”. All applications should provide contact information for two professional/academic reference (referees will only be contacted after interviews).

Note: Only short-listed applicants will be contacted for an interview.

Qualifications and characteristics of the ideal candidate:

Technical

• Excellent oral and written English. Fluency in Arabic is an advantage. Highly developed written and verbal communication skills.
• Background in social work, psychology, or other relevant field, through academic studies and / or extensive work experience.
• A minimum of three years’ experience in working with refugees in roles relevant to this position.
• Experience in case management and the provision of mental health, medical, or psychosocial services to refugees or marginalized and vulnerable populations.
• Experience in project management and leadership of a team, including in recruitment, training, supervision, Monitoring and Evaluation, financial management, and performance reporting.

Personal

• A demonstrated ability to lead, motivate, supervise, guide, and support team members as well as cooperate with peers.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, with an ability to develop and maintain nuanced relationships according to interests, requirements, and need.
• Belief in and commitment to non-discrimination on the basis of gender, race, disability, religious belief, gender identity, and sexual orientation.
• Diplomacy and assertiveness; the ability to confront and discuss sensitive issues with respect and care.
• Skilled in obtaining information necessary to accomplish duties.
• Ability to prioritize work, multi-task, and meet deadlines.
• Problem analysis and problem resolution at both a strategic and functional level.
• Ability to express technical ideas and concerns in a non-technical environment.
• Ability to develop effective systems considering organizational effectiveness and impact on people.
• Strong organization and planning skills, detail-oriented.
• Ability to handle conflicting priorities in a fast-paced environment while working with limited resources.
• A positive attitude and collaborative approach to dealing with clients, volunteers, and staff.
• Commitment to StARS’ Vision and Mission.
• Lived experience of forced displacement is a distinct advantage.