District MHPSS Assistant-Swabi

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 across a designated district, including wellbeing centres, mobile clinics, community outreach, and 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 with qualified practitioners. This opportunity is open on a rolling basis and will be filled once 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 appointments and orderly reception without requiring sensitive disclosures in public. Prepare wellbeing centre sessions, mobile clinic schedules, community activities, and approved home visits by organizing materials, private spaces, and supplies alongside the Officer. Promote inclusive participation, especially for women, girls, persons with specific needs, female-headed households, and individuals experiencing psychosocial distress. Communicate voluntary participation and confidentiality clearly, supporting informed consent and assent procedures while limiting participant information to what is necessary.

Supervised Psychosocial Support and Outreach:
Deliver Psychological First Aid and basic practical support only after approved training and under supervision, using respectful listening and connecting participants to appropriate services. Assist with group, caregiver, adolescent, and community wellbeing activities according to agreed plans, avoiding requests for participants to recount trauma. Support awareness initiatives on positive coping, stigma reduction, and service availability. Participate in inclusive home visits and mobile outreach with proper consent and safeguarding measures, refraining from diagnosis, independent counselling, or clinical advice.

Service Navigation and Urgent Escalation:
Help participants understand appointments, referrals, and access arrangements approved by qualified staff. Coordinate with referral partners without guaranteeing services outside RI’s control. Recognize warning signs of severe distress or safety concerns and promptly escalate to the Officer or clinical focal point. Follow emergency escalation protocols and assist with practical support without independently managing clinical crises. Monitor follow-up contacts, flag missed appointments, unsuccessful referrals, and access barriers 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 feedback channels, relay service concerns, and report safeguarding allegations promptly through designated procedures without conducting investigations. Support independent monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning (MEAL) activities, ensuring participation is voluntary and not linked to service access.

Teamwork, Quality and Professional Conduct:
Engage in supervision, refresher training, and district reviews. Seek guidance when tasks exceed competence and provide concise updates to improve services. Uphold 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 follow infection prevention, travel, and security protocols. Support emergency activities only with prior written 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 required competencies is mandatory. Fluency in Pashto, Urdu, and a local district language, along with basic English reading and reporting skills, is required. Strong record-keeping, basic computer literacy, sound confidentiality practices, and willingness to travel regularly within the district are necessary.

Preferred Qualifications and Benefits

Experience supporting mobile teams, wellbeing centres, community groups, adolescents, caregivers, or persons with specific needs is advantageous. Prior PFA training, familiarity with consent-based referral procedures, and experience using digital attendance or service-tracking tools are desirable. Relief International values integrity, adaptability, collaboration, inclusivity, and sustainability, guided by humanitarian principles and a commitment to “Do No Harm.” The organization promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion, actively encouraging applications from female candidates and all qualified individuals.