Wellbeing Center MHPSS Assistant (Mardan)

This role offers an opportunity to contribute to community wellbeing by supporting mental health and psychosocial services within Relief International’s (RI) RISE project. The Wellbeing Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Assistant works under the supervision of the Wellbeing Centre MHPSS Officer to provide practical support, Psychological First Aid (PFA), and assistance with activity preparation at wellbeing centers and during community or home-based outreach. The position focuses on creating safe, accessible, and confidential environments for participants, helping them navigate services while maintaining professional boundaries. This role is vital in promoting resilience and wellbeing among vulnerable populations affected by climate change and disasters in Pakistan.

Key Responsibilities

Welcoming, Accessible and Confidential Services: Greet participants respectfully, explain available services and feedback options, and manage appointments without requiring sensitive disclosures in public. Facilitate inclusive participation for women, girls, persons with specific needs, and those experiencing psychosocial distress. Ensure voluntary participation and confidentiality are clearly communicated, supporting consent and assent processes as needed. Prepare private spaces and materials, identifying any accessibility or safeguarding concerns prior to sessions.

Practical Psychosocial and Activity Support: Provide Psychological First Aid after approved training, offering respectful listening and connecting participants to qualified support. Assist with structured group and community wellbeing activities following established session plans, avoiding requests for participants to recount trauma. Support outreach and home visits with appropriate consent and safety measures, maintaining professional and culturally sensitive conduct. Refrain from diagnosing, independent counselling, or clinical decision-making.

Service Navigation and Immediate Escalation: Help participants understand appointment details and consent-based referrals arranged by qualified staff. Recognize warning signs of severe distress or safety concerns and promptly escalate these to the Officer or clinical focal point following approved protocols. Use emergency contacts and safety procedures without managing clinical crises independently. Support safe follow-up and report missed appointments or access issues for further review.

Records, Accountability and Safeguarding: Maintain accurate and timely records of attendance, appointments, activities, and supplies using approved tools with coded identifiers. Protect participant confidentiality by restricting access to sensitive information and following secure storage procedures. Facilitate accessible feedback mechanisms, relay concerns to responsible colleagues, and report safeguarding allegations promptly without conducting investigations. Support independent monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning (MEAL) activities without conditioning services on participation.

Teamwork, Quality and Professional Conduct: Engage in supervision, refresher training, and team meetings, seeking guidance when needed and using feedback to improve service delivery. Uphold professional boundaries and comply with RI’s safeguarding and prevention of sexual exploitation policies. Monitor center readiness, report supply shortages, and adhere to field travel, infection prevention, and security protocols. Provide activity updates and perform other duties assigned by supervisors within the scope of competence.

Required Qualifications

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

Preferred Qualifications and Benefits

Experience supporting wellbeing centers, community groups, adolescents, caregivers, or persons with disabilities is desirable. Prior PFA training, familiarity with referral procedures, and experience using 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. The organization upholds humanitarian principles and promotes a safe, respectful, and ethical working environment.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and will be reviewed as suitable candidates become available.