Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Officer (MHPSS)

Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) is seeking qualified female candidates for the position of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Officer (MHPSS) based in Kurram District. This role involves providing psychosocial support and mental health services to conflict- and flood-affected internally displaced persons (IDPs) and host communities. The officer will focus on addressing trauma, grief, and stress while promoting resilience and coping strategies among vulnerable groups such as women, children, older adults, and persons with disabilities. The position supports awareness-raising, capacity-building, and referral mechanisms within donor-funded Health, WASH, and MPCA projects. Preference will be given to local candidates. The project duration is 5.5 months, and the position reports to the CEA/PGI Officer.

Key Responsibilities

- Conduct psychological assessments to identify the needs of affected individuals, prioritizing vulnerable groups.
- Provide individual and group counseling sessions addressing trauma, stress, grief, and other mental health challenges.
- Deliver Psychological First Aid (PFA) to individuals experiencing acute distress, especially during emergencies.
- Facilitate community-based support mechanisms such as peer groups and structured counseling sessions.
- Develop and implement interventions that promote positive coping strategies, stress management, and resilience.
- Conduct community awareness sessions on mental health, psychosocial well-being, and coping mechanisms.
- Collaborate with Health, WASH, and MPCA teams to integrate psychosocial support into broader humanitarian efforts.
- Strengthen referral pathways for specialized psychiatric, medical, or protection services.
- Maintain confidential case records and update databases in line with organizational standards.
- Document case studies and lessons learned to support program improvement and donor reporting.
- Prepare regular reports on MHPSS activities for submission to PRCS and donors.
- Ensure all services are culturally sensitive, gender-responsive, disability-inclusive, and age-appropriate.
- Apply a survivor-centered approach to safeguarding concerns and ensure timely referrals.
- Report safeguarding incidents through internal mechanisms and complete mandatory safeguarding and PSEA training.
- Coordinate closely with multidisciplinary teams to ensure integrated responses.
- Provide technical support and capacity-building to staff and volunteers on PFA, stress management, and psychosocial support.
- Participate in inter-agency coordination forums related to MHPSS, protection, and humanitarian response.
- Be prepared for extensive travel to field locations as required.

Required Qualifications

- Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology, Counseling Psychology, or a related field (BSc with relevant experience may be considered).
- Minimum of 2 years of professional experience as a psychologist.
- At least 1 year of psychotherapeutic practice, including individual and group counseling.
- Experience conducting clinical interventions beyond psychosocial support.
- Proven experience working with vulnerable populations, including women, children, older adults, and persons with disabilities.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills in Pashto and Urdu; English proficiency is an asset.
- Ability to work under pressure in remote and emergency settings.
- Commitment to humanitarian principles, confidentiality, and ethical standards.
- Flexibility, adaptability, and resilience in rapidly changing emergency contexts.

Preferred Qualifications and Additional Information

- Experience in humanitarian or emergency contexts, including Psychological First Aid and community-based MHPSS.
- Prior involvement with the Red Cross/Red Crescent movement or donor-funded projects such as ECHO, EU, or UN.
- Experience working with multidisciplinary teams and supporting integrated humanitarian programs.
- Commitment to PRCS’s fundamental principles, code of conduct, safeguarding, and accountability to affected populations.
- Maximum age limit: 45 years.
- Candidates must be prepared for extensive travel and fieldwork.
- Applications are subject to thorough verification; PRCS reserves the right to accept or reject any application.
- Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for testing and interviews; no TA/DA will be provided.

This role offers an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the mental health and psychosocial well-being of vulnerable communities affected by conflict and natural disasters, within a leading humanitarian organization dedicated to saving lives and strengthening resilience.