This position is open on a rolling basis and will be filled upon the availability of a suitable candidate.

Job Profile: The organization is looking for MHPSS Officer to lead and support mental health and psychosocial support activities under the RISE project at Provincial level. This is a role that requires frequent travel to all target districts.

The main responsibility of the candidate will be to ensure that MHPSS services are delivered with high quality across all field sites. The individual will supervise field teams, provide technical guidance, build staff capacity, and ensure that all activities are properly documented and reported.

The person will need to be flexible, self-motivated, and comfortable working in different locations with diverse teams. The candidate will act as the main link between the field teams and the project management, helping to solve problems and improve program performance.

Key Responsibilities:

Program Implementation:

• Implement MHPSS activities in assigned project areas in accordance with approved work plans.
• Conduct psychosocial support sessions, group activities, and community-based interventions.
• Identify individuals and families requiring MHPSS support and ensure appropriate assistance.
• Support the establishment and functioning of safe and inclusive spaces for beneficiaries.
• Ensure integration of MHPSS activities with protection, education, health, and other program sectors.
• Provide Psychological First Aid basic counseling, and emotional support to beneficiaries through community outreach and helpline services.
• Supervise the MHPSS team in conducting psychosocial assessments, profiling, and identification of BNFs requiring specialized support.
• Facilitate individual and group sessions on stress management, coping mechanisms, and resilience building.
• Support and monitor community volunteers while delivering the psychosocial services.

Cases Referrals:

• Identify vulnerable individuals requiring specialized mental health or psychosocial services.
• Maintain and regularly update referral pathways and service mapping.
• Facilitate referrals to specialized health, protection, and social service providers.
• Follow up on referred cases to ensure beneficiaries receive required services.
• Maintain referral pathways and coordinate with health and mental health service providers.

Community Engagement and Awareness:

• Conduct awareness sessions on mental health, psychosocial well-being, stress management, positive coping mechanisms, and available services.
• Engage community leaders, teachers, caregivers, and volunteers to promote community-based psychosocial support.
• Support community outreach activities aimed at reducing stigma associated with mental health conditions.

Capacity Building:

• Mentor community volunteers, teachers, social workers, and frontline staff on basic psychosocial support and psychological first aid (PFA).
• Support the development and dissemination of MHPSS IEC materials and awareness tools.
• Contribute to strengthening the capacity of partner organizations and community structures.

Monitoring, Reporting, and Documentation:

• Prepare weekly, monthly, and quarterly reports on MHPSS activities after discussion with his team
• Track progress against project indicators and targets.
• Collect success stories, lessons learned, and case studies.
• Ensure confidentiality and secure management of sensitive information.

Coordination and Representation: 

• Coordinate with government departments, health facilities, schools, protection actors, and community stakeholders.
• Participate in relevant coordination meetings and working groups as assigned.

Safeguarding and Compliance:

• Adhere to safeguarding, child protection, PSEA, confidentiality, and data protection policies.
• Ensure all MHPSS activities are implemented in accordance with humanitarian principles and ethical standards.
• Immediately report any safeguarding concerns through established reporting mechanisms.

Behavior and Conduct:

• Will ensure the highest standards of behavior inside and outside of work promotes the values in RI’s code of conduct and safeguarding policies
• Will be a model for ethical conduct standards for other team members
• Will ensure own actions and the actions of the teams members they manage do not impact the safety of the RI team and the vulnerable communities we serve
• Will ensure external stakeholders are aware of RI conduct and reporting mechanisms
• Report any concerns

Person Specification: Skills, knowledge and expertise required for the role.

Essential Criteria:

• We are looking for someone who is experienced, confident, and ready to work in challenging field conditions. The ideal candidate should have:
• Education: Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology, Psychology, or a related field. Candidates with a Bachelor’s degree and strong relevant experience may also be considered.
• Experience: At least 3 to 6 years of work experience in mental health, psychosocial support, social work, Experience in humanitarian settings and refugee programming is highly preferred. Previous experience in a supervisory or senior role is essential.
• Certification in Psychological First Aid or other mental health-related diploma or training is a plus.
•  Fluency in English (both written and spoken), Pashto/local languages is required
• Proven ability to handle sensitive cases related to protection and safeguarding with full confidentiality.

We are an equal opportunity employer.