Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Officer

Title: Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Officer

Location: NES Deir Ezzor.

Travel: Regular HF visits.

Department: Health.

Reporting to: Health Coordinator (Field Level) with Technical Supervision by the Protection Coordinator (Field Level).

Direct reports: N/A

Technical reports: HFs MH, Social workers.

Close date: 30 Jun 2026.

Job Profile

The MHPSS Officer will support the implementation and strengthening of Relief International’s Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) programming at field level, ensuring effective integration between health and protection interventions. The role will contribute to strengthening both psychosocial support (PSS) activities implemented by protection teams and the mental health component delivered through health services, including support to mhGAP-based services at supported health facilities.

The position will focus on improving technical quality, capacity building, referral pathways, and coordination between sectors, ensuring that MHPSS interventions are delivered in line with international standards and humanitarian best practices.

Key responsibilities

1. Programme Implementation and Technical Support

• Support the implementation of MHPSS activities across RI-supported protection and health programmes.
• Ensure alignment of MHPSS activities with project objectives, proposal commitments, and RI technical approaches.
• Ensure clinical MHPSS interventions follow international standards (IASC guidelines) and RI technical protocols.
• Strengthen coordination between health facilities, protection teams, and community-based services to ensure integrated MHPSS service delivery.
• Support the development and implementation of standard operating procedures (SOPs), tools, and guidelines for MHPSS programming.
• Support the Health Coordinator in monitoring the quality of psychiatric prescriptions and clinical follow-ups.

1. Psychosocial Support (PSS) Component

• Provide technical support to protection teams implementing psychosocial support activities, including:
  • Psychological First Aid (PFA)
  • Individual and group psychosocial support sessions
  • Community-based psychosocial activities
  • Case support and referrals
• Strengthen the capacity of PSS staff through mentorship, coaching, and training.
• Support the development and refinement of PSS tools, methodologies, and monitoring approaches.
• Ensure PSS activities are delivered in line with IASC MHPSS Guidelines and protection standards.

1. Mental Health Component

• Support integration of mental health services within RI-supported health facilities.
• Provide technical guidance to health staff delivering mhGAP-based mental health services.
• Support the identification, referral, and follow-up of individuals with mental, neurological, and substance-use (MNS) conditions.
• Strengthen coordination between community-based PSS services and clinical mental health care.
• Contribute to improving referral pathways between protection services, health facilities, and specialized care providers.

1. Capacity Building

• Conduct training and mentorship for health and protection staff on MHPSS approaches.
• Support training on:
  • Psychological First Aid
  • Basic psychosocial support interventions
  • mhGAP principles (where applicable)
  • Referral pathways
• Contribute to strengthening staff capacity to identify and respond to mental health and psychosocial needs.

1. Monitoring, Reporting, and Quality Assurance

• Support monitoring of MHPSS activities and ensure quality and adherence to technical standards.
• Contribute to the development of MHPSS indicators, monitoring tools, and reporting systems.
• Participate in data review, programme evaluation, and learning processes.
• Contribute to internal and donor reporting, ensuring accurate documentation of MHPSS activities.

1. Coordination and Representation

• Coordinate with Health and Protection teams to ensure integrated programming.
• Participate in relevant coordination forums and technical working groups when required.

Support collaboration with local authorities, health actors, and other partners to strengthen referral pathways and service integration

Person Specification

Skills, knowledge and expertise required for the role.

Essential criteria

Education

One of the following is required:

• Medical Doctor (GP) with mhGAP certification, OR
• Registered Nurse with mhGAP training and experience, OR
• Clinical Psychologist or Mental Health professional with relevant clinical experience.

Desirable criteria

• Postgraduate degree or specialization in public health, healthcare management, or a related field.
• Experience in managing health programs in emergency or low-resource settings.
• Experience in organizing and conducting training programs for healthcare staff.

Sensitivity to and understanding of cultural differences and the impact on healthcare delivery.