Health Officer/Psychosocial Support (PSS) Officer (3 Positions)

Positive Action for Development (PAD) is one of the most vibrant, rapidly expanding, and results-driven civil society organizations in Ethiopia. PAD is currently scaling up its interventions across the humanitarian, NEXUS, and development spectrum—expanding operations throughout the country, including in Addis Ababa, Amhara, Oromia, Harari, Afar, Somali, Tigray, Benishangul-Gumuz, and Ethiopia’s southern regional states. As PAD broadens its reach, it remains firmly committed to inclusive, equitable, and conflict-sensitive programming—respecting the diverse realities of communities while fostering peaceful coexistence and sustainable development.

Vision: PAD strives to see a community of hope, humanity, and social justice.

Mission: PAD brings people together to work in partnerships; promotes hope, humanity, and social justice for every human life in all its fullness; and improves the livelihoods of disadvantaged groups for social and inclusive economic growth by actively engaging in positive actions, promoting responsive care and support, and addressing the root causes of poverty in Ethiopia.

General Overview:

This document outlines the standard roles and responsibilities associated with this position. The descriptions of the post cannot be exhaustive, and the post holder may be required to undertake additional duties that align with the key responsibilities described herein. The roles and responsibilities are also subject to change.

Job Summary

The PSS Officer is responsible for the overall planning, implementation, and monitoring of integrated health, Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS), and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) activities in the project’s target areas. The role will ensure the provision of safe, confidential, and survivor-centered psychosocial support services, including individual and group counseling, Psychological First Aid (PFA), and appropriate referrals for both GBV survivors and individuals experiencing distress due to conflict and displacement. This position requires a strong commitment to humanitarian principles, including confidentiality, ‘Do No Harm,’ and Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA).

Key Duties and Responsibilities

1. Program Implementation and Service Delivery

• Direct PSS Services: Provide structured, culturally appropriate individual and group Psychosocial Support (PSS) sessions and Psychological First Aid (PFA) to conflict-affected individuals, including GBV survivors, women, girls, and others experiencing distress.
• Case Management: Oversee and/or directly conduct basic GBV and MHPSS case management, ensuring adherence to the case management principles (safety, confidentiality, non-discrimination, and survivor-centered approach).
• Referral Pathways: Conduct and regularly update the mapping of available health, protection, legal, and other essential services. Maintain and strengthen a functional, confidential, and safe GBV/MHPSS referral pathway.
• Integration: Work closely with the Mobile Health Team (if applicable) or local health facility staff to ensure the integration of basic PSS/MHPSS into primary healthcare services, and to facilitate the referral of clinical mental health cases.
• Safe Spaces: Support the establishment, management, and monitoring of Women and Girls Safe Spaces (WGSS) or other community-based safe spaces to ensure they provide a supportive environment for psychosocial activities.

2. Capacity Building and Technical Support

• Training: Conduct training and mentorship for community volunteers, community health workers, and partner staff on basic MHPSS concepts, PFA, basic PSS skills, and GBV guiding principles.
• Community Mobilization: Lead community dialogues, awareness campaigns, and psycho-education sessions on the psychological impacts of conflict, stress management, positive coping mechanisms, GBV prevention, and available services.
• Technical Guidance: Ensure that all community-level activities integrate protection and GBV mainstreaming principles (e.g., safety audits, ‘Do No Harm’ principles, PSEA).

3. Monitoring, Reporting, and Coordination

• Data Management: Maintain accurate, confidential, and up-to-date records of all GBV/PSS cases and activities, ensuring strict data protection protocols.
• Reporting: Prepare and submit timely and quality weekly, monthly, and quarterly reports, highlighting key achievements, challenges, and lessons learned, contributing to donor reports as required.
• Coordination: Represent the organization in relevant coordination forums at the local level (e.g., MHPSS Working Group, GBV Sub-Cluster, Health Cluster) and coordinate closely with local government counterparts and other humanitarian actors.
• Assessment: Participate in and contribute to protection and MHPSS needs assessments, safety audits, and service mapping exercises.

Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Psychology, Counseling/Clinical Psychology, Psychiatry nursing, Social works, or a closely related field from a recognized university.

Experience: Minimum of 2-3 years of progressive experience in MHPSS, PSS, or GBV programming, preferably in a humanitarian, conflict-affected, or emergency setting.

Core Competencies

• Commitment to Humanitarian Principles: Deep understanding of and commitment to the ‘Do No Harm’ principle, PSEA, and ethical practice, especially concerning GBV and MHPSS.
• Survivor-Centered Approach: Demonstrated ability to provide support with empathy, respect, and non-judgment, prioritizing the survivor’s safety and choices.
• Confidentiality and Integrity: Upholds the highest standards of confidentiality in all interactions and data management.
• Teamwork and Collaboration: Ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team (health, protection, MHPSS) and with diverse stakeholders.
• Cultural Sensitivity: Demonstrates strong awareness of the local cultural, social, and religious context, adapting interventions accordingly.

Technical Competencies

• Psychosocial Support Skills: Proven skills in providing Psychological First Aid (PFA) and structured, non-specialized Psychosocial Support (PSS).
• GBV Response Knowledge: Strong understanding of the GBV Guiding Principles and the GBV case management process.
• Training and Facilitation: Excellent facilitation, training, and presentation skills for diverse community and professional audiences.
• Reporting and Documentation: Proficiency in data collection, management, and professional narrative report writing.
• Technical Knowledge: Proven experience in:
  • Implementing community-based MHPSS/PSS interventions.
  • GBV case management or referral systems.
  • Training and mentoring of community structures or volunteers.

Language: Fluency in written and spoken English is mandatory, and fluency in the relevant local language(s) of the project area is mandatory/highly required. Computer Skills: Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Desirable Attributes

• Experience working in a mobile or outreach setting, or with Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
• Knowledge of the IASC Guidelines on MHPSS in Emergency Settings.
• Prior NGO experience.
• Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced, sometimes insecure environment and to manage a demanding workload.

Number required: 3(Three)

Duty Station: 3 for each woreda in Aba’ala, Wasama, and Erebti (as assigned by the organization)

Female applicants are highly encouraged to apply

Equal Employment Opportunity

• Positive Action for Development (PAD) promotes fairness, equity, and diversity in the workplace. We welcome applications from qualified individuals of all backgrounds, regardless of gender, age, disability, ethnicity, religion, or other personal status. Hiring decisions are made based on skills, experience, and suitability for the role.
• We are committed to creating a respectful and inclusive environment where all staff can thrive, contribute meaningfully, and grow professionally.

Zero Tolerance for Misconduct

• PAD has zero tolerance for any form of abuse, harassment, exploitation, or misuse of power. We take safeguarding seriously and expect all staff, volunteers, and partners to follow our policies and uphold our values at all times. All successful candidates will go through background checks and be required to follow PAD’s code of conduct and safeguarding principles.

Recruitment Flexibility

• PAD reserves the right to recruit more than one candidate from this announcement or keep qualified applicants in our database for future similar roles.

Important Notice on Recruitment Fraud

• PAD does not request any payment at any stage of the recruitment process. If you receive any suspicious messages claiming to be from PAD, please report them to our office through official contact channels. www.padethiopia.