Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Officer (2 Positions)

About the Organization

Development for Peace Organization (DPO) is an Ethiopian non-profit organization established in 2020 with a mission of striving to meet the humanitarian and developmental needs of societies regardless of race, color, religion or cultural background. We are legally registered to work in Ethiopia (Reg. 5164) as National NGO and as INGO in South Sudan (Reg. 4178), Somalia (Reg. NGOD/Moifar0422/022) and Kenya (OP.218/051/22-400/12732); it is also processing its registration in Yemen. We are currently seeking an experienced MHPSS Officer to join our mission-driven organization.

Job summary:

The Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Officer is responsible for planning, implementing, coordinating, and monitoring community- and facility-based mental health and psychosocial support services in refugee camps. The position aims to improve access to quality, integrated, and culturally appropriate MHPSS services for refugees and host communities, with particular attention to vulnerable groups including women, children, adolescents, older persons, persons with disabilities, and survivors of violence.

The MHPSS Officer will work closely with health facilities, community health workers, protection actors, and relevant government and humanitarian partners to strengthen mental health care, psychosocial well-being, and referral pathways in accordance with national guidelines, WHO’s Mental Health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP), and IASC MHPSS Guidelines.

 

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Plan, implement, and monitor integrated MHPSS services in line with project objectives, donor requirements, and WHO mhGAP guidelines.
• Provide technical support for the identification, assessment, management, and referral of individuals with mental health and psychosocial needs, ensuring adherence to national protocols and WHO standards.
• Deliver and strengthen community- and facility-based psychosocial interventions, including Psychological First Aid (PFA), Problem Management Plus (PM+), psychoeducation, and individual, family, and group support.
• Build the capacity of healthcare workers, community health workers, refugee volunteers, and peer supporters through training, mentoring, and supportive supervision.
• Promote community awareness, reduce stigma, and strengthen community-based psychosocial support and peer support networks.
• Coordinate MHPSS activities and referral pathways with health, protection, GBV, child protection, nutrition, education, and other humanitarian partners.
• Monitor program performance, maintain quality data, prepare technical and donor reports, and document lessons learned and best practices.
• Ensure the availability and proper management of psychotropic medicines and MHPSS supplies.
• Ensure all MHPSS activities comply with safeguarding, child protection, GBV, confidentiality, PSEA, and ethical standards, applying a survivor-centered and rights-based approach.
• Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.

 

Job Title: Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) officer

Duty Station: Gambella Region – (Jewi and Luakdong Refugee camps)

Required Number: 2

Salary: As per the organization scale

Reports To: Health and Nutrition Coordinator

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Psychiatry Nursing, Psychology, Clinical Psychology, or a related field.
• Master’s degree is an added advantage.

Experience

• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in Mental Health and Psychosocial Support.
• Experience working in humanitarian emergencies, refugee settings, or conflict-affected areas is highly desirable.
• Experience implementing community-based MHPSS programs.
• Experience delivering or supporting mhGAP implementation.