Mental Health Psychosocial Support Services (MHPSS) Officer

Location: Waghimira/Gazgibla, Ethiopia

Organization: Samaritan’s Purse

Deadline: March 20, 2026

Job Description

Job Summary

The Mental Health Psychosocial Support Services (MHPSS) Officer will provide the psychosocial, emotional and mental health needs for the patients/beneficiaries entering the Samaritans Purse (SP) in the Amhara region Wag-Himra zone Gazgibla woreda. The workload is intensive and requires a team of dedicated health professionals to meet the ever-increasing demand for specialized services. At times the MHPSS Officer may be called upon to fulfill duties not directly involved with this job description.

Key Responsibilities

• Daily meet with beneficiaries/patients/staff to hear their psychosocial needs at the MMU.
• Assist the Program Manager in the development of protection mainstreaming plan, which incorporate elements of protection mainstreaming, staff trainings on PESA, SGBV and CP, establish complaint mechanisms (CMs) and response strategy.
• Provide therapeutic interventions such as counseling and psychoeducation to patients and their families as well as administering psychotropic medications as per requirement.
• Collect, collate and disseminate SP MHPSS documentation, creating weekly and monthly reports to meet the reporting requirements and deadlines set by SP, Regional Health Bureau (RHB), Department of Health, WHO/UN agencies and Donors.
• Provide guidance and support to patients/beneficiaries/medical staff through various mechanisms.
• Work with staff to ensure care and communication is culturally sensitive.
• Provide guidance and community referral options as necessary.
• Strengthen referral linkages for the management of cases with SGBV between the MMNU and Hospitals or PHCs receiving MHPSS referrals.
• Conduct regular community meetings with leaders of representative groupswomen, youth, and PWDswill be held to receive input and give feedback on the project to the community.
• Ensure patient confidentiality is respected at all times.
• Ensures opportunities are in place for safe, confidential reporting and community feedback with mechanisms to ensure accountability.
• Participate in clinical trainings and mentoring provided by leadership in dissemination of new knowledge or protocols.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education / Experience Needed

• BA in Psychiatry work with at least 2 years of counselling and social work experience
• Current registration/licensure in social work or counselling
• Strong knowledge of standards and guidelines for MH GAP, GBV and CP programming, coordination, and data management
• 3-5 years work experience in MHPSS with an NGO, preferred

Language 

• Proficiency in English and Amharic
• Knowledge of the regional language required
• Knowledge of any other national language is a plus

Skills Required

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Demonstrated sensitivity in diverse, cross-cultural settings.
• Knowledge of Sphere and established international protection and GBV standards, methodology and    tools
• Attention to detail, anticipation and follow up are core values of the job function.
• Possesses strong organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Must be a self-starter and internally driven to success and hard work.
• Possesses strong cross-cultural communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Must be a humble team player
• Ability to be flexible and adaptable.
• Willingness to travel in and out of the field.
• Must have analytical and report writing skills.
• High level of integrity and stewardship
• Committed to the SP values and ethics
• Proficient in making clinical decisions in the care of the patient population serving.

REASONING ABILITY 

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions in written or schedule form.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical demands will be dependent upon situation and event.

WORK ENVIRONMENT 

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Travelling
• Work in a security context that is fluid

How to Apply

SAFEGUARDING COMMITMENT

The employee is required to carry out his/her duties in accordance with Samaritans Purse Safeguarding policy and Code of conduct.

Employee should remain alert and responsive to any child and adult safeguarding risks, acquire relevant knowledge and skills, which will enable him/her to promote strong safeguarding practices, understand the child and adult safeguarding policy and procedures, and conduct his/herself in a manner consistent with the Safeguarding Policy.

This is a non-contractual document that can be varied from time to time as circumstances dictate. This job description is intended to summarize the main duties and responsibilities of the post; this is not intended to be a full and exhaustive list of tasks. All Samaritans Purse staff is expected to demonstrate flexibility and willingness to perform appropriate tasks when the need arises.