Mental Health and psycho-social Support Specialist
in MHPSS Technical Working Groups and Protection Clusters
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Role description
1. Job Purpose
The MHPSS Specialist provides strategic technical leadership, coordination, and quality assurance for the design and implementation of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) interventions within the emergency multi-sector project. The role is central to ensuring that MHPSS approaches are not implemented in isolation but are effectively mainstreamed and integrated across key sectors, including health, nutrition, protection, and community-based systems. By doing so, the position strengthens a holistic response that addresses both the psychological and social needs of crisis-affected populations.
The Specialist ensures that all MHPSS interventions are designed and delivered in accordance with internationally recognized standards, particularly the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) Guidelines on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings, as well as specific donor requirements and organizational policies. This includes providing technical guidance to sector teams, building staff and community capacity, and establishing systems for quality assurance, monitoring, and continuous learning to enhance program effectiveness.
A key aspect of the role is to operationalize a layered system of care, ensuring that MHPSS services are delivered through a continuum that ranges from community-based psychosocial support and prevention activities to more specialized mental health services at facility level. This includes strengthening community structures such as peer support groups, community volunteers, and local leaders, while also reinforcing service delivery points such as health facilities with appropriate referral pathways, case management systems, and trained personnel.
Aligned with the program’s integrated and resilience-focused approach, the MHPSS Specialist works to ensure that interventions not only respond to immediate psychological distress but also contribute to longer-term recovery, social cohesion, and resilience building. This is achieved through culturally appropriate, inclusive, and conflict-sensitive programming that prioritizes vulnerable groups, including women, children, persons with disabilities, and displaced populations.
Overall, the role plays a critical function in enhancing the well-being, dignity, and coping capacities of crisis-affected communities by ensuring that MHPSS services are accessible, coordinated, and effectively embedded within a comprehensive multi-sectoral response framework.
The MHPSS Specialist is responsible for the technical leadership, coordination, and quality assurance of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) interventions within the emergency multi-sector project. The role ensures that MHPSS services are integrated across health, nutrition, protection, and community systems and delivered in line with IASC guidelines and donor standards, contributing to improved well-being and resilience among crisis-affected populations.
2. Major Responsibilities
A. Technical Leadership and Program Design
Lead the design, adaptation, and implementation of MHPSS strategies and workplans.
Ensure alignment with IASC MHPSS guidelines, Sphere standards, and donor (USG/DoS/BHA) requirements.
Integrate MHPSS into health, nutrition, WASH, and protection interventions.
Provide technical oversight for Psychological First Aid (PFA), individual and group counseling, and community-based psychosocial support.
B. Project Implementation & Quality Assurance
Oversee implementation of MHPSS activities across all target woredas.
Ensure quality delivery of services including:
Psychological First Aid (PFA)
Basic psychosocial support
Structured group interventions (e.g., PM+, SH+)
Case management and referrals
Establish and maintain a functional referral pathway for specialized mental health services.
Conduct joint supportive supervision and field monitoring visits.
C. Capacity Building and Supervision
Train and mentor project staff, health workers, and community volunteers on MHPSS approaches.
Strengthen frontline workers’ capacity to deliver basic and focused psychosocial support within a stepped-care model.
Facilitate training on:
PFA
GBV-sensitive approaches
Child protection and safeguarding
Provide regular supervision and coaching to MHPSS staff.
D. Coordination and Partnerships
Represent the organization in MHPSS Technical Working Groups and Protection Clusters.
Coordinate with:
Health and WASH clusters
Government bureaus
UN agencies and NGOs
Support MHPSS service mapping (4Ws) and contribute to joint assessments.
E. monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting
Develop MHPSS indicators and integrate them into MEAL frameworks.
Ensure timely and accurate documentation of MHPSS activities.
Contribute to donor reports, sitreps, and learning documents.
Support baseline, midline, and endline assessments related to psychosocial well-being.
F. Safeguarding, Protection & Cross-Cutting Issues
Ensure all MHPSS interventions are confidential, survivor-centered, and culturally sensitive.
Integrate:
Gender equality
GBV risk mitigation
Inclusion of persons with disabilities
Promote accountability and feedback mechanisms at community level.
4. Expected Key Outputs (End Results)
Functional and integrated MHPSS services across all intervention sites
Improved access to psychosocial support for conflict-affected populations
Strengthened community resilience and coping mechanisms
Trained and capable frontline workforce delivering MHPSS services
Effective referral systems linking community and specialized services
5. Qualifications and Experience
Education
Master’s or bachelor’s degree in:
Psychology
Psychiatry
Social Work
Public Health
Counseling or related field
Experience
Minimum 5+ years of experience in MHPSS programming in humanitarian settings
Proven experience in emergency response and multi-sector integration
Experience with USG/BHA/DoS funded projects is highly desirable
6. Required Skills and Competencies
Strong knowledge of IASC MHPSS guidelines and humanitarian standards
Demonstrated experience in:
Psychosocial programming and case management
Training and capacity building
Coordination and stakeholder engagement
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
Ability to work in high-stress, insecure, and remote environments
7. Working Environment
Field-based position with frequent travel to remote and conflict-affected areas
Requires flexibility, resilience, and ability to work under pressure
8. Core Values
Commitment to humanitarian principles
Respect for dignity and diversity
Accountability and integrity
Strong alignment with organizational mission and values
How To Apply
Interested Applicants should use the following Link to apply:
https://worldvision.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/WorldVisionInternational/job/Afar-Ethiopia/MHPSS-Specialist_JR50784
World Vision is a child-focused organization that is committed to safeguarding all children as well as adult beneficiaries and has zero tolerance for incidents of violence or abuse against children or adults, including sexual exploitation or abuse, committed either by employees or others affiliated with our work. Therefore, World Vision does not hire staff whose background is not suitable for working with children or vulnerable adults, even if their role does not interact directly with them.
Disclaimer
: World Vision Ethiopia is a reputable organization that values transparency and fairness in its recruitment process and does not solicit any money for any job application. We encourage all job seekers to be cautious of any job ads that require payment or personal information upfront. If you have any questions or concerns about our job ads or recruitment process, please do not hesitate to contact us directly.
Skills (mandatory):
Clinical Nursing, Public Health, Psychology
Apply Now!
The MHPSS Specialist provides strategic technical leadership, coordination, and quality assurance for the design and implementation of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) interventions within the emergency multi-sector project. The role is central to ensuring that MHPSS approaches are not implemented in isolation but are effectively mainstreamed and integrated across key sectors, including health, nutrition, protection, and community-based systems. By doing so, the position strengthens a holistic response that addresses both the psychological and social needs of crisis-affected populations.
The Specialist ensures that all MHPSS interventions are designed and delivered in accordance with internationally recognized standards, particularly the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) Guidelines on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings, as well as specific donor requirements and organizational policies. This includes providing technical guidance to sector teams, building staff and community capacity, and establishing systems for quality assurance, monitoring, and continuous learning to enhance program effectiveness.
A key aspect of the role is to operationalize a layered system of care, ensuring that MHPSS services are delivered through a continuum that ranges from community-based psychosocial support and prevention activities to more specialized mental health services at facility level. This includes strengthening community structures such as peer support groups, community volunteers, and local leaders, while also reinforcing service delivery points such as health facilities with appropriate referral pathways, case management systems, and trained personnel.
Aligned with the program’s integrated and resilience-focused approach, the MHPSS Specialist works to ensure that interventions not only respond to immediate psychological distress but also contribute to longer-term recovery, social cohesion, and resilience building. This is achieved through culturally appropriate, inclusive, and conflict-sensitive programming that prioritizes vulnerable groups, including women, children, persons with disabilities, and displaced populations.
Overall, the role plays a critical function in enhancing the well-being, dignity, and coping capacities of crisis-affected communities by ensuring that MHPSS services are accessible, coordinated, and effectively embedded within a comprehensive multi-sectoral response framework.
The MHPSS Specialist is responsible for the technical leadership, coordination, and quality assurance of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) interventions within the emergency multi-sector project. The role ensures that MHPSS services are integrated across health, nutrition, protection, and community systems and delivered in line with IASC guidelines and donor standards, contributing to improved well-being and resilience among crisis-affected populations.
2. Major Responsibilities
A. Technical Leadership and Program Design
Lead the design, adaptation, and implementation of MHPSS strategies and workplans.
Ensure alignment with IASC MHPSS guidelines, Sphere standards, and donor (USG/DoS/BHA) requirements.
Integrate MHPSS into health, nutrition, WASH, and protection interventions.
Provide technical oversight for Psychological First Aid (PFA), individual and group counseling, and community-based psychosocial support.
B. Project Implementation & Quality Assurance
Oversee implementation of MHPSS activities across all target woredas.
Ensure quality delivery of services including:
Psychological First Aid (PFA)
Basic psychosocial support
Structured group interventions (e.g., PM+, SH+)
Case management and referrals
Establish and maintain a functional referral pathway for specialized mental health services.
Conduct joint supportive supervision and field monitoring visits.
C. Capacity Building and Supervision
Train and mentor project staff, health workers, and community volunteers on MHPSS approaches.
Strengthen frontline workers’ capacity to deliver basic and focused psychosocial support within a stepped-care model.
Facilitate training on:
PFA
GBV-sensitive approaches
Child protection and safeguarding
Provide regular supervision and coaching to MHPSS staff.
D. Coordination and Partnerships
Represent the organization in MHPSS Technical Working Groups and Protection Clusters.
Coordinate with:
Health and WASH clusters
Government bureaus
UN agencies and NGOs
Support MHPSS service mapping (4Ws) and contribute to joint assessments.
E. monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting
Develop MHPSS indicators and integrate them into MEAL frameworks.
Ensure timely and accurate documentation of MHPSS activities.
Contribute to donor reports, sitreps, and learning documents.
Support baseline, midline, and endline assessments related to psychosocial well-being.
F. Safeguarding, Protection & Cross-Cutting Issues
Ensure all MHPSS interventions are confidential, survivor-centered, and culturally sensitive.
Integrate:
Gender equality
GBV risk mitigation
Inclusion of persons with disabilities
Promote accountability and feedback mechanisms at community level.
4. Expected Key Outputs (End Results)
Functional and integrated MHPSS services across all intervention sites
Improved access to psychosocial support for conflict-affected populations
Strengthened community resilience and coping mechanisms
Trained and capable frontline workforce delivering MHPSS services
Effective referral systems linking community and specialized services
5. Qualifications and Experience
Education
Master’s or bachelor’s degree in:
Psychology
Psychiatry
Social Work
Public Health
Counseling or related field
Experience
Minimum 5+ years of experience in MHPSS programming in humanitarian settings
Proven experience in emergency response and multi-sector integration
Experience with USG/BHA/DoS funded projects is highly desirable
6. Required Skills and Competencies
Strong knowledge of IASC MHPSS guidelines and humanitarian standards
Demonstrated experience in:
Psychosocial programming and case management
Training and capacity building
Coordination and stakeholder engagement
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
Ability to work in high-stress, insecure, and remote environments
7. Working Environment
Field-based position with frequent travel to remote and conflict-affected areas
Requires flexibility, resilience, and ability to work under pressure
8. Core Values
Commitment to humanitarian principles
Respect for dignity and diversity
Accountability and integrity
Strong alignment with organizational mission and values
How To Apply
Interested Applicants should use the following Link to apply:
https://worldvision.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/WorldVisionInternational/job/Afar-Ethiopia/MHPSS-Specialist_JR50784
World Vision is a child-focused organization that is committed to safeguarding all children as well as adult beneficiaries and has zero tolerance for incidents of violence or abuse against children or adults, including sexual exploitation or abuse, committed either by employees or others affiliated with our work. Therefore, World Vision does not hire staff whose background is not suitable for working with children or vulnerable adults, even if their role does not interact directly with them.
Disclaimer
: World Vision Ethiopia is a reputable organization that values transparency and fairness in its recruitment process and does not solicit any money for any job application. We encourage all job seekers to be cautious of any job ads that require payment or personal information upfront. If you have any questions or concerns about our job ads or recruitment process, please do not hesitate to contact us directly.
Skills (mandatory):
Clinical Nursing, Public Health, Psychology
Apply Now!