Mental Health and Psychological Support (MHPSS) Worker / Officer

SOS Sahel Ethiopia jointly with Society for Education, Environment Development (SEED) obtained financial support from UN OCHA to implement a project entitled “Rebuilding Lives: Integrated Humanitarian Support for Returning IDPs in Horo Guduru Wollega zone, Abe Dongoro District”. The project objective is to strengthen the livelihoods, food security, and protection of returning internally displaced populations in Abe Dongoro district by delivering integrated, time-bound support—including agricultural inputs, animal health services, cash assistance, emergency shelter repair, GBV response, Mobile Health and Nutrition Team (MHNT), and WASH. The project will be in implementation from 01, December 2025 to 17, August 2026.”

SOS Sahel Ethiopia, as part of its program implementation is seeking to employ interested, qualified, & experienced individual for the job positions mentioned hereunder:

Mental Health and Psychological Support (MHPSS) Worker / Officer

Job Purpose:

Under the supervision of the Health Officer and as part of the MHNT the MHPSS Officer will be responsible for leading the implementation and monitoring of the project MHPSS activities. The MHPSS Officer will identify and address gaps in MHPSS programming, provide training and technical assistance, and support health facilities in implementing MHPSS programming.

Major responsibilities:

• Oversee the implementation of overall mental health and psychosocial activities.
• Develop quality mental health and psychosocial support interventions in public health facilities through a mobile health and nutrition approach as part of the team
• Provide psychosocial support for affected people (mental Health education, Screening, Counseling, diagnosis, & refer)
• Provide emergency psychosocial therapy to cases at the working sites
• Provide onsite psychosocial training for health workers and community volunteers
• Conduct psychological assessments, manage casework, and make referrals as necessary.
• Record and document relevant activities (e.g., case notes/files).
• Work with the MHNT team members to deliver the service and contribute to good team spirit.
• Network, liaise, and communicate with assigned Health Facilities Health workers.
• Advocate for legal and medical, and other referral support services for beneficiaries.
• Respect the confidentiality regarding the content of the interview during assessments.
• Producing timely progress reports, including both quantitative and qualitative information, on MHPSS activities.
• Identify and build links with other partners, ensuring that issues for mental health and psycho-social support are raised and addressed.
• Provide psycho-social support for GBV survivors and victims.
• Provide or link with psychiatric treatment for GBV victims contextually.
• Perform any other task assigned by supervisor.

Safeguarding and Associated Policies and Procedures

Adherence to SOS Sahel Ethiopia and universally accepted core principles of Safeguarding, Code of Ethics and Conduct, Child Protection, PSEAH, and other relevant national and international policies and guidelines.

Remuneration: As per the organization salary scale and benefit packages.

Duty Base: Abe Dongor District of Horo Guduru Wollega Zone in Oromia Region

NB*: Knowledge of local languages – Afaan Oromo is required.

Required Qualification and Skills:

• BSc in Psychology or Psychiatry with minimum of 2 years relevant experience in MHPSS programming or clinical mental health services.
• Prior experience working in humanitarian or emergency settings, especially with MHNTs, is an asset.
• Strong knowledge of IASC MHPSS guidelines, community-based mental health care, and case management.
• Ability to provide psychological first aid (PFA), structured psychosocial support, and basic mental health counseling.
• Experience in working with vulnerable populations, including children, women, and people with trauma.
• Familiarity with referral systems and integration of MHPSS into primary health care.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.