Project Assistant – GBV and Mental Health & Psychosocial Support (Afar Asayita)

Amref Health Africa is an African-led international health development organization headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya. Founded in 1957 as the Flying Doctors of East Africa to bring critical health services to remote communities, Amref Health Africa envision to bringing lasting health change for Africain more than 30 countries across the continent. With a focus on women and children, the organization strives to overcome the most critical health challenges facing the continent: maternal and child health, youth development, malaria, water and sanitation and health systems strengthening. Amref Health Africa in Ethiopia has been working in Ethiopia since 2002 in close collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health implementing a range of projects in maternal, neonatal and child health, reproductive health, health systems strengthening, health workforce development, water and sanitation, HIV/AIDS and non-communicable diseases across the country, supported by a wide range of multilateral and bilateral donors, corporates and foundations.

Amref is currently preparing to implement GBV &MPHSS project. The project aims to enhance the prevention of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), improve mental health services, and strengthen social reintegration support across selected regions of Ethiopia, specifically in Kemise (Amhara), Asayita (Afar), Shire (Tigray – implemented by Oxfam), and the Gefersa Mental Health Rehabilitation Center (Oromia). By adopting a rights-based and survivor-centered approach, the project seeks to improve the accessibility and quality of support services for survivors of GBV and individuals experiencing mental health challenges. Major interventions are organized around three key pillars: (1) the prevention and response to SGBV through community awareness campaigns, strengthened healthcare and psychosocial support services, and social reintegration initiatives; (2) the strengthening of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Services (MHPSS) by enhancing service quality and building the capacity of One-Stop Centers and rehabilitation facilities; and (3) coordinated community engagement on SGBV and MHPSS, focusing on fostering collaboration among stakeholders and promoting a cohesive, informed community response.

Amref Health Africa is an African-led international health development organization headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya. Founded in 1957 as the Flying Doctors of East Africa to bring critical health services to remote communities, Amref Health Africa envision to bringing lasting health change for Africain more than 30 countries across the continent. With a focus on women and children, the organization strives to overcome the most critical health challenges facing the continent: maternal and child health, youth development, malaria, water and sanitation and health systems strengthening. Amref Health Africa in Ethiopia has been working in Ethiopia since 2002 in close collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health implementing a range of projects in maternal, neonatal and child health, reproductive health, health systems strengthening, health workforce development, water and sanitation, HIV/AIDS and non-communicable diseases across the country, supported by a wide range of multilateral and bilateral donors, corporates and foundations.

Amref is currently preparing to implement GBV &MPHSS project. The project aims to enhance the prevention of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), improve mental health services, and strengthen social reintegration support across selected regions of Ethiopia, specifically in Kemise (Amhara), Asayita (Afar), Shire (Tigray – implemented by Oxfam), and the Gefersa Mental Health Rehabilitation Center (Oromia). By adopting a rights-based and survivor-centered approach, the project seeks to improve the accessibility and quality of support services for survivors of GBV and individuals experiencing mental health challenges. Major interventions are organized around three key pillars: (1) the prevention and response to SGBV through community awareness campaigns, strengthened healthcare and psychosocial support services, and social reintegration initiatives; (2) the strengthening of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Services (MHPSS) by enhancing service quality and building the capacity of One-Stop Centers and rehabilitation facilities; and (3) coordinated community engagement on SGBV and MHPSS, focusing on fostering collaboration among stakeholders and promoting a cohesive, informed community response.

Job Summary:

Under the supervision of the Project Manager, the Project Assistant will support the day-to-day management and technical implementation of the GBV and MHPSS Project. The primary responsibility of this role is to ensure the timely achievement of specific project deliverables and targets by planning, coordinating, implementing, and supervising field-level activities. The Project Assistant will work closely with the Project Officer to implement activities related to Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Services (MHPSS), with a focus on mitigating the impact of these issues within the community. The role involves direct engagement with community-based structures and local stakeholders, with frequent travel to operational kebeles.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Developing Project Activity Work Plans:
   • Prepare implementation work plans that align with the overall project strategy.
   • Submit plans for approval to ensure alignment with the Project Officer and Project Manager.
   • Review and update the implementation work plan regularly.
   • Conduct needs assessments with project beneficiaries.
   • Collect necessary information from partners.
   • Ensure resource availability for timely activity implementation.
   • Prepare budgets according to current prices.
2. Ensuring the Implementation of Project Activities:
   • Develop and adapt reporting formats to collect relevant grassroots-level information.
   • Collect and compile periodic reports.
   • Document best practices from community-level implementation.
   • Facilitate training sessions for target groups.
   • Organize community conversations and ensure proper follow-up on their implementation.
   • Actively engage in community-based mental health and GBV interventions.
   • Ensure beneficiaries are supported by microenterprise and related sector offices.
   • Facilitate implementation activities with supporting partners.
   • Develop and adapt relevant community-based materials to support field activities.
   • Manage necessary payments (preparing schedules, payment sheets, attendance sheets, etc.).
   • Monitor partner activities based on MOUs.
3. Monitoring and Evaluating the Program:
   • Conduct monthly and quarterly review meetings with cooperative groups and stakeholders.
   • Carry out site supportive supervision in collaboration with health and women social affair offices.
4. Ensuring Timely and Accurate Reporting:
   • Collect, compile, summarize, and submit monthly, quarterly, and annual activity reports in a timely manner.

Minimum Requirements:

• BSC/BA degree in public health, psychology , social work or a related field, with at least 4 years of work experience.
• Experience in coordinating interventions related to GBV and mental health in communities affected by crises, with a minimum of 1 years required.
• Strong interpersonal communication skills
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in Afarii Language

This position is open exclusively to female applicants. Please specify whether you are applying for the Asayita site.