Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Officer

Positive Action for Development (PAD) is an indigenous, non-governmental, non-profit, secular, and legally registered Ethiopian Civil Society Organization (Registration No. 2330). PAD is committed to promoting a just, compassionate, and inclusive society where all people can thrive. Guided by optimism, integrity, kindness, excellence, and impactful action, PAD provides effective humanitarian and development support to communities in need.

Job Summary:

The MHPSS Officer will lead the implementation and monitoring of the EHF-funded project as part of the mobile health and nutrition team. The MHPSS Officer will continue to identify and address gaps in MHPSS.  Provide training and technical assistance, and support health facilities in implementing MHPSS programming.

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee the implementation of overall mental health and psychosocial activities.
• Develop quality mental health and psychosocial support interventions in public health facilities through 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 for 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.
• Develop response strategies and action plans based on the MHPSS situation in target areas, and implement strategies to improve capacity of Mental health staff at the zonal/woreda level.
• Supervise and support community health workers in providing psychosocial support and PFA
• Map referral services and pathways and develop templates and procedures for follow-up and of referrals.
• Provide psycho-social support for GBV survivors and victims.
• Provide or link with psychiatric treatment for GBV victims contextually.
• Developing a system for the identification of mental health disabilities among children.
• Developing a screening tool for community case detection in collaboration with health facilities
• Planning and implementation of mental health early recovery after the disaster/displacement
• Any other task assigned by his/her supervisor.

Qualifications & Requirements:

Education:

• BA or master’s degree in Psychiatry nursing, mental health, or other related fields with coursework in mental health and psychosocial programming in humanitarian or hard-to-reach areas

Experience:

• Minimum 3 years of relevant experience in MHPSS programming or clinical mental health services.
• Prior experience working in humanitarian or emergency settings, especially with MHNTs, is an asset.

Number required: 1

Duty Station: Position 1 requires one person for Raya Kobo, Amhara Regional State, with frequent travel to IDP sites.

Language: Proficiency in English and the local language(s) of the region is required.

Employment Type: Contractual, project-based position subject to project funding and duration

Female applicants are highly encouraged to apply.

Skills and Competencies:

• 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.
• Working knowledge of English is preferred.
• Basic computer skills (report writing, Excel, etc.).

Other Considerations:

• Willingness to travel frequently to field locations, including remote areas.
• Commitment to upholding humanitarian values and the organization’s mission.
• Ability to work effectively in a mobile team setting with flexibility and cultural sensitivity.

Competencies

• Action facilitations
• Communications
• Ethics & Values
• Teamwork
• Behavioral Flexibility
• Client Orientation
• Initiative
• Interpersonal Relations
• Reasonable Judgment

Equal Employment Opportunity

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 solely based on skills, experience, and suitability for the role.
PAD is committed to creating a respectful and inclusive environment where all staff can thrive, contribute meaningfully, and grow professionally.

Zero Tolerance for Misconduct

PAD maintains zero tolerance for abuse, harassment, exploitation, or misuse of power. All staff, volunteers, and partners are expected to follow PAD’s policies and uphold our values at all times.
All successful candidates will undergo background checks and must adhere to PAD’s code of conduct and safeguarding principles.

Recruitment Flexibility

PAD reserves the right to:

• Recruit more than the required candidates from this announcement.
• Keep qualified applicants in our database for future similar roles.

Important Notice on Recruitment Fraud

If you encounter any misconduct, fraud, or corruption related to PAD’s recruitment process or operations, please report immediately via:

• Email: safeguarding@padethiopia.org
• Link: https://one-pad.org/guest_new/public_add_issue
• Toll-free Hotline: 9135

PAD treats all reports confidentially and takes them seriously, ensuring appropriate action is taken.