Psychologist

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is a global humanitarian organization dedicated to responding to the world’s most severe crises by restoring health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and empowerment to communities affected by conflict and disaster. Established in 1933, the IRC operates in over 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities, delivering lasting impact by helping millions reclaim control of their futures and rebuild their communities. The Integrated Services for Communities in Pakistan project focuses on improving the safety, dignity, and wellbeing of Afghan refugees and host communities in Haripur and Nowshera districts of KP. This multi-sectoral initiative provides protection, gender-based violence (GBV) support, sexual and reproductive health (SRH), mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS), alongside climate-resilient livelihoods, youth engagement, and social cohesion programs. The project emphasizes participatory and inclusive approaches to address vulnerabilities and promote sustainable development.

The Psychologist will play a critical role in leading the implementation of MHPSS activities aligned with the project’s objectives. This position involves delivering Psychological First Aid, conducting mental health awareness campaigns, training health facility staff, and establishing referral pathways. The role requires culturally sensitive interventions to meet the psychosocial needs of vulnerable individuals and communities. Additionally, the Psychologist will provide MHPSS support to caregivers and parents, enhancing the resilience and wellbeing of the target populations.

Key Responsibilities

- Design, plan, and implement structured MHPSS interventions tailored to the needs of the target populations.
- Facilitate psychosocial support sessions for individuals, families, and groups to promote emotional wellbeing and resilience.
- Deliver Psychological First Aid training to health facility staff and community workers to strengthen emergency response capacity.
- Develop and implement mental health awareness campaigns to increase understanding and reduce stigma.
- Support the project’s awareness efforts by contributing to messaging on the importance of MHPSS and integrated health services.
- Advocate for mental health promotion through engagement with community leaders and stakeholders.
- Establish and maintain referral pathways to ensure timely access to specialized mental health care.
- Coordinate with protection teams, healthcare providers, and other stakeholders to deliver integrated and sustainable MHPSS services.
- Monitor, review, and document the impact of interventions to support continuous learning and improvement.
- Prepare detailed progress and impact reports for internal and external stakeholders.
- Mentor and supervise staff to build capacity in delivering high-quality MHPSS services within the integrated services project.

Required Qualifications

- Master’s degree in Psychology.
- Minimum of 3-5 years of experience implementing MHPSS programs, case management, and counseling services.
- Proven experience working directly with women, girls, and children in field settings.
- Strong knowledge of designing, developing, implementing, and evaluating GBV, MHPSS, and protection programs.
- In-depth understanding of MHPSS core principles, GBV guiding principles, counseling, gender issues in Baluchistan and KP, and child protection risks.
- Excellent report writing, communication, and interpersonal skills.
- Experience in case management and providing individualized support to high-risk individuals.
- Proficiency in spoken and written English, Urdu, and local languages.

All IRC employees are expected to uphold the organization’s core values of Integrity, Service, Equality, and Accountability, as outlined in the IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. The IRC is committed to creating a safe and respectful work environment, enforcing policies on safeguarding, conflicts of interest, fiscal integrity, and protection from retaliation. The organization fosters a culture of critical reflection, power sharing, and objectivity to ensure the highest quality of services for the communities it serves.