Mental Health & Psychosocial Support Associate

Position Summary: 

Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Associate will work closely under the technical supervision of the MHPSS Coordinator to support the planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of mental health and psychosocial support programs within the organization. The role involves assisting in the delivery of MHPSS services to individuals and communities affected by crises, conflicts, or challenging circumstances. The MHPSS Associate will collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to promote mental well-being and resilience. The position is supervisory to lead the MHPSS field team and is responsible for counseling, psychosocial support education, and awareness and building capacity of the project staff. He/she will ensure standards are being adhered to in the quality of services and care provided through RI-supported channels and mechanisms.

Key Responsibilities:

1.        Planning and Implementation of MHPSS Activities

• Ensure beneficiary identification, and provide leadership and oversight of mental health and psycho-social services in the community.
• Be the focal point for designing and disseminating appropriate MHPSS awareness-raising and educational materials.

2.        Technical Support and Capacity Building

• Make a weekly and monthly plan for sessions in the community.
• Develop and maintain close relationships with partners responsible for MHPSS in the designated areas.
• Capacity building of MHPSS staff and Community Health Care Volunteers (CHCVs)
• Provide support for MHPSS-related workshops, seminars and meetings at different levels.
• Linkages development with health institutions for referral of identified cases

3.        Monitoring and Supervision

• Maintain up-to-date data related to MHPSS activities.
• Facilitates and encourages regular review meetings and review schedules.
• Prepare a monthly program and program support plan that helps to visit field activities and provide formal and informal feedback to the program staff in terms of recommendations for improved performance.
• Conducts regular mentoring to community health workers and develops their groups.

4.        Reporting And Ensuring Data Quality

• Verify data quality and ensure consistency of information by community health workers and report against their plan, variables in data collection tool and report.
•  Ensure improved data collection and reporting systems during supportive supervision or monitoring field visits to targeted areas.
• Establishes and maintains documentation system for all MHPSS activities including minutes of technical meetings.
• Prepare quarterly, high-quality progress reports from community health workers draft narrative reports, and share them with the MHPSS team leader.
• Assist in Identifying program gaps, areas of growth, and strategies and share these findings with line manager

5.        Learning and Documentation

• Work with the team lead, MEAL officers, and other staff of the project to document project learning, success stories, case studies, and learning briefs.

Qualifications & Requirements:

This position demands a dynamic individual with good communication, interpersonal and analytical skills to achieve results in demanding and often difficult environments.

•  A qualified professional or Minimum Bachelor's degree in Clinical Psychology/Psychology and experience in a field related to humanitarian assistance, emergency response, and development especially with refugee programming.
• Minimum of 3-4 years related working experience in psychology, social work, community mobilization, and mental health with proven track records. Desirable if certified in Psychosocial First Aid or another mental health certification
• Proven experience responding to and managing sensitive psycho-social/protection / safeguarding matters in a confidential manner
• Experience in providing training sessions to beneficiaries on psycho-social issues.
• Good oral and written English, Urdu, and Pashto communication skills
• Can maintain strict confidentiality.
• Willingness and ability to travel
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Empathy and the ability to establish rapport with clients and communities.
• Knowledge of mental health and psychosocial support principles and best practices.
• Cultural sensitivity and awareness.
• Good organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team and adapt to changing circumstances.
• Understanding of confidentiality and ethical principles in MHPSS

Safeguarding:

• Uphold and promote RI’s commitment to ensuring the safeguarding and safety of the vulnerable communities we serve.
• Consistent with RI’s safeguarding and protection policies, ensure your job-related activity and practice is compliant with safeguarding standards.

RI Values:

We uphold the Humanitarian Principles: humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and operational independence.  We affirmatively engage the most vulnerable communities. We value:

• Inclusiveness
• Transparency and Accountability
• Agility and Innovation
• Collaboration
• Sustainability

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

We are an equal-opportunity employer