District MHPSS Assistant-Lower Dir

Relief International (RI), a global non-profit organization dedicated to supporting communities affected by climate change and disasters, is seeking a District Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Assistant. This role supports the delivery of safe, accessible mental health and psychosocial services within a designated district through wellbeing centres, mobile clinics, community outreach, and inclusive home-based activities. Reporting to the District MHPSS Officer and receiving technical guidance from the Provincial MHPSS Coordinator, the Assistant plays a vital role in preparing activities, providing supervised Psychological First Aid (PFA), facilitating confidential service navigation, and maintaining accurate records. The position ensures participants receive appropriate support while clinical decisions remain the responsibility of qualified practitioners. This opportunity is open on a rolling basis and will be filled when a suitable candidate is identified.

Key Responsibilities

Accessible Services and District Activity Support:
Greet participants respectfully, explain available services and feedback mechanisms, and assist with appointment scheduling and orderly reception without requiring sensitive disclosures in public. Prepare wellbeing centre sessions, mobile clinic schedules, community activities, and home visits by organizing materials, private spaces, and supplies alongside the Officer. Promote participation of women, girls, persons with specific needs, female-headed households, and individuals experiencing psychosocial distress, raising any access barriers to the Officer. Clearly communicate voluntary participation and confidentiality, supporting informed consent, child assent, and caregiver consent procedures as needed.

Supervised Psychosocial Support and Outreach:
Provide Psychological First Aid and basic practical support only after approved training and under supervision, using respectful listening and clear communication to connect participants with appropriate services. Assist with group, caregiver, adolescent, and community wellbeing activities according to agreed plans, without requiring participants to recount traumatic experiences. Support awareness activities focused on positive coping, distress recognition, stigma reduction, and available services. Participate in inclusive home-based visits and mobile outreach with the team, adhering to consent, safeguarding, and security protocols. Do not diagnose, counsel independently, advise on medication, or make clinical decisions.

Service Navigation and Urgent Escalation:
Help participants understand appointments, consent-based referrals, and practical access arrangements approved by qualified staff. Liaise with referral partners without promising services outside RI’s control. Recognize warning signs of severe distress or safety concerns and promptly alert the Officer or designated clinical focal point. Follow emergency escalation procedures and assist with arranging practical support without independently managing clinical crises. Support safe follow-up using approved contact methods and flag missed appointments or access challenges for review.

Records, Accountability, and Safeguarding:
Maintain accurate, coded records of attendance, appointments, activities, and supplies using approved tools. Protect participant confidentiality through secure storage and restricted access, keeping clinical and safeguarding details separate from general records. Explain accessible feedback channels, relay service concerns, and promptly report safeguarding allegations through designated procedures without investigating or seeking unnecessary details. Support independent monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning (MEAL) activities and voluntary participant feedback, ensuring services do not depend on survey participation or public disclosure.

Teamwork, Quality, and Professional Conduct:
Engage in supervision, refresher training, and district reviews. Seek guidance when tasks exceed competence and provide brief updates to support service improvements. Maintain professional boundaries and adhere to RI’s Code of Conduct, safeguarding policies, and prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment. Report misconduct or data breaches through approved channels. Monitor readiness of activity spaces and supplies, report shortages or damage, and comply with infection prevention, travel, and security protocols. Support emergency activities only with prior written donor approval and supervisor assignment.

Required Qualifications

A Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Social Work, Sociology, Public Health, or a related social or health discipline is essential. Candidates must have at least two years of relevant experience in community, psychosocial, health, or protection programs, including respectful direct engagement with vulnerable populations. Ability to complete approved PFA and safeguarding training and demonstrate practical competencies before providing support is required. Fluency in Pashto, Urdu, and a local district language, along with basic English reading and reporting skills, is necessary. Strong record-keeping, basic computer skills, sound confidentiality practices, and willingness to travel regularly within the district are also required.

Preferred Qualifications and Benefits

Experience supporting mobile teams, wellbeing centres, community groups, adolescents, caregivers, or persons with specific needs is desirable. Prior PFA training and familiarity with consent-based referral procedures and digital attendance or service-tracking tools are advantageous. Relief International values integrity, adaptability, collaboration, inclusivity, and sustainability, and is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Female candidates are especially encouraged to apply.