Wellbeing Center MHPSS Assistant (Peshawar)

Relief International (RI), a global non-profit organization dedicated to supporting communities affected by climate change and disasters, is seeking a Wellbeing Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Assistant. This role supports safe, welcoming, and accessible services at the assigned RISE wellbeing center and during community or home-based activities. Working under the supervision of the Wellbeing Centre MHPSS Officer, the Assistant provides practical support, Psychological First Aid (PFA) after training, activity preparation, and confidential service navigation. The position focuses on helping participants access appropriate support while maintaining professional boundaries, with clinical decisions reserved for qualified practitioners. This opportunity is open on a rolling basis and will be filled once a suitable candidate is identified.

Key Responsibilities

Welcoming, Accessible and Confidential Services: Greet participants respectfully, explain available services and feedback mechanisms, and assist with appointments while ensuring privacy. Facilitate accessible participation for women, girls, persons with specific needs, and those experiencing psychosocial distress. Support voluntary participation and confidentiality, including consent and child assent procedures. Prepare private spaces and materials, identifying any environmental or safeguarding concerns before sessions.

Practical Psychosocial and Activity Support: Provide Psychological First Aid and basic practical support only after approved training and within demonstrated competence. Assist with structured group and community wellbeing activities, following session plans without requiring participants to recount traumatic experiences. Support outreach and home-based visits with proper consent and safety arrangements, maintaining professional and culturally appropriate conduct. Avoid diagnosing, independent counseling, prescribing medication, or making clinical decisions.

Service Navigation and Immediate Escalation: Help participants understand appointment details and consent-based referrals approved by qualified staff. Recognize warning signs of severe distress or safety concerns and promptly notify the Officer or clinical focal point. Follow approved escalation pathways and emergency procedures without managing clinical crises independently. Assist with safe follow-up and escalate missed appointments or access barriers for review.

Records, Accountability and Safeguarding: Maintain accurate records of attendance, appointments, activities, and supplies using approved tools and coded identifiers. Ensure secure storage and restricted access to participant information, avoiding inclusion of clinical notes in general reports. Explain feedback options, relay routine concerns, and report safeguarding allegations promptly through designated channels. Support independent monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning (MEAL) activities without making services conditional on participation.

Teamwork, Quality and Professional Conduct: Participate in supervision, refresher training, and team reviews. Seek guidance when tasks exceed competence and use feedback to improve service delivery. Maintain professional boundaries and adhere to RI safeguarding and prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse policies. Monitor center readiness, report supply shortages, and comply with field travel, infection prevention, and security procedures. Provide activity updates and perform other duties as assigned within competence.

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 engagement with vulnerable populations. Ability to complete approved Psychological First Aid and safeguarding training and demonstrate practical competencies is required. Proficiency in Pashto, Urdu, and a local language commonly spoken in the assigned district is necessary, along with basic English reading and reporting skills. Strong record-keeping, basic computer literacy, confidentiality practices, 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 approved digital attendance or service-tracking tools are advantageous.

Relief International upholds the highest standards of behavior and ethical leadership, emphasizing respect, safety, dignity, and confidentiality for staff and communities. The organization values integrity, adaptability, collaboration, inclusivity, and sustainability, guided by humanitarian principles. RI is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion and strongly encourages female candidates to apply.