Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Officer (10 Positions)

Position: – Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Officer

Reports to: Roving Mobile Health Team Leader

Category: Health and Nutrition

Work Location: North Wollo and North Shewa Zones of  Amhara Region, Central and North Western Zones of Tigray Region, West Wollega Zone of  Oromia Region, and Contested Areas 1 and 2

Career Level: Mid-Level (2+ – 5 years’ experience)

Project Duration: 9 months

Employment Type: Contract

Salary: As per the organization salary scale

Required Number: 10

About ASDEPO:

Action for Social Development and Environmental Protection Organization (ASDEPO) is an Ethiopian indigenous, “Civil Society Organization” established in 2014. ASDEPO is mandated to operate in all regional states of the country and is engaged indifferent thematic program areas of intervention namely: Humanitarian Response, Education, Health/HIV and AIDS/RH, Women and Youth Economic Empowerment, Gender Based Violence and Child Protection, Migration/Human Trafficking, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (Wash), NTD’s Climate Change, Agriculture, Environmental Protection and Training in Gambella, Oromiya, Amhara, Benishangul Gumuz, Afar, SNNPR and Somali Region.

Job Purpose

MHPSS Officer is responsible for planning, implementation, technical quality, monitoring, and reporting of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) interventions in accordance with ASDEPO policies, project requirements, relevant national standards, and international humanitarian principles.

The position will support individuals, families, and communities affected by conflict, displacement, disasters, and other humanitarian crises to strengthen their psychosocial well-being, coping mechanisms, resilience, and access to appropriate mental health and protection services.

Key Responsibilities

• Facilitate and Implement awareness-raising sessions at centres and community levels, particularly on child development, mothering practices, mother and child interactions and breastfeeding practices
• Participate in elaborating key messages and adapting them according to the context and the target population
  Be able to describe MHPSS project and objectives in a clear, understandable and culturally adapted manner
• Supervise daily the proper transmission of project information and key messages by beneficiaries to the community, by supporting them on awareness raising methods, sense of responsibility and motivation
• Promote the full range of care practices including aspects of hygiene practice and infant & young child feeding practices (IYCF)
• Conduct group discussions and support groups with the beneficiaries on mental health, care practices and psychosocial issues, by using recommended guidelines and tools
• Conduct stimulation activities (therapeutic play sessions and others) for mothers and children according to beneficiaries needs
• Stimulate group dynamic by favouring exchanges and participation among beneficiaries in group sessions on a particular theme
• Evaluate the beneficiaries’ knowledge and skills before and after the group sessions
• Conduct individual support and counselling activities for the beneficiaries, according to an adapted action plan, and based on MHCP psychosocial approach of care practices
• Ensure the follow-up and support of beneficiaries at household level, involving when necessary, the family members
• Be able to assess individual MHPSS skills and practices of the beneficiaries, by using recommended tools, scales and questionnaires
• Be able to adequately refer beneficiaries to existing available resources in case of need
• Contribute actively to MHPSS group supervision and case management sessions, by helping to identify beneficiaries’ difficulties and action plan for the follow-up.

Safeguarding and Accountability

The post holder is expected to uphold ASDEPO’s safeguarding and protection standards, including child safeguarding, prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse, non-discrimination, confidentiality, accountability to affected populations and the principle of do no harm. The Officer must immediately report suspected or observed safeguarding or serious protection concerns through ASDEPO’s established reporting mechanisms.

Qualification:

• Bachelor’s degree in psychiatry and related.

Experience:

• Minimum two years’ experience.
• Previous experience in the NGO sector is advantageous.

Desirable

• Proficiency in spoken and written English and Local language