MHPSS Officer

1. Context

Relief International (RI) is an international non-profit organization that partners with communities impacted by conflict, climate change and disaster to save lives, build greater resilience and promote long-term health and wellbeing. In 2025, RI was active in 15 countries across Africa, Asia and the Middle East.

About our Country Program

RI operates in Syria across the north, east and south of the country, in the core sectors of Health, Nutrition, Protection, and WASH. To date, it’s WASH activities have included integrated WASH in Health as well as provision of water supply at community-level. Employing more than 1,000 staff (direct and incentive), we provide life-saving support for Primary Health Centres, hospitals and other health facilities, and vital protection services to vulnerable women and children.

2. Job Profile

The MHPSS Officer will support the implementation and strengthening of Relief International’s Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) programming at field level, ensuring effective integration between health and protection interventions. The role will contribute to strengthening both psychosocial support (PSS) activities implemented by protection teams and the mental health component delivered through health services, including support to mhGAP-based services at supported health facilities. The position will focus on improving technical quality, capacity building, referral pathways, and coordination between sectors, ensuring that MHPSS interventions are delivered in line with international standards and humanitarian best practices.

3. Key Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Project Manager – NWS:

Programme Implementation and Technical Support

• Support the implementation of MHPSS activities across RI-supported protection and health programmes.
• Ensure alignment of MHPSS activities with project objectives, proposal commitments, and RI technical approaches.
• Ensure clinical MHPSS interventions follow international standards (IASC guidelines) and RI technical protocols.
• Strengthen coordination between health facilities, protection teams, and community-based services to ensure integrated MHPSS service delivery.
• Support the development and implementation of standard operating procedures (SOPs), tools, and guidelines for MHPSS programming.
• Support the Health Coordinator in monitoring the quality of psychiatric prescriptions and clinical follow-ups.

Psychosocial Support (PSS) Component

• Provide technical support to protection teams implementing psychosocial support activities, including:
  • Psychological First Aid (PFA)
  • Individual and group psychosocial support sessions
  • Community-based psychosocial activities
  • Case support and referrals
• Strengthen the capacity of PSS staff through mentorship, coaching, and training.
• Support the development and refinement of PSS tools, methodologies, and monitoring approaches.
• Ensure PSS activities are delivered in line with IASC MHPSS Guidelines and protection standards.

Mental Health Component

• Support integration of mental health services within RI-supported health facilities.
• Provide technical guidance to health staff delivering mhGAP-based mental health services.
• Support the identification, referral, and follow-up of individuals with mental, neurological, and substanceuse (MNS) conditions.
• Strengthen coordination between community-based PSS services and clinical mental health care.
• Contribute to improving referral pathways between protection services, health facilities, and specialized care providers.

Capacity Building

• Conduct training and mentorship for health and protection staff on MHPSS approaches.
  • Support training on:
  • Psychological First Aid
  • Basic psychosocial support interventions
  • mhGAP principles (where applicable)
  • Referral pathways
• Contribute to strengthening staff capacity to identify and respond to mental health and psychosocial needs.

Monitoring, Reporting, and Quality Assurance

• Support monitoring of MHPSS activities and ensure quality and adherence to technical standards.
• Contribute to the development of MHPSS indicators, monitoring tools, and reporting systems.
• Participate in data review, programme evaluation, and learning processes.
• Contribute to internal and donor reporting, ensuring accurate documentation of MHPSS activities.

Coordination and Representation

• Coordinate with Health and Protection teams to ensure integrated programming.
• Participate in relevant coordination forums and technical working groups when required

Behavior and Conduct

• Ensures that behavior in and outside of work promotes the values in RI’s code of conduct and safeguarding policies.
• Leads by example - is a model of professionalism and integrity for other team members; adheres to humanitarian principles; acts with integrity and holds themselves accountable for being respectful, inclusive and professional.
• Ensures own actions and the actions of the team members do not impact the safety of the RI team and the vulnerable communities we serve.
• Promptly reports any concerns about possible violations of safeguarding or other protection-related policies and principles to relevant organizational focal points and/or senior management.

1. Person Specification

Skills, knowledge and expertise required for the role.

Essential criteria

Education

One of the following is required:

• Medical Doctor (GP) with mhGAP certification, OR
• Registered Nurse with mhGAP training and experience, OR
• Clinical Psychologist or Mental Health professional with relevant clinical experience.

Experience

• Minimum 3–5 years of experience in MHPSS programming in humanitarian or development settings.
• Experience in mental health, psychosocial support, or protection programming.
• Demonstrated experience supporting integrated health and protection programming.
• Experience with mhGAP implementation or mental health services in primary health care is highly desirable.
• Experience in capacity building and supervision of field staff.

Skills

• Strong understanding of MHPSS programming in humanitarian contexts.
• Knowledge of IASC MHPSS Guidelines and mhGAP approaches.
• Ability to work effectively with multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong coordination, training, and facilitation skills.
• Strong reporting and documentation skills.

Ethical Considerations

The MHPSS Officer must adhere to:

• Do No Harm principles
• Confidentiality and protection standards
• Survivor-centered approaches
• RI safeguarding and protection policies
• Relief International values:
  • Integrity
  • Adaptability
  • Collaboration
  • Inclusivity
  • Sustainability

How To Apply

• To apply for this post, click on the “Apply” button in the job advert page.
• You will be asked to upload a CV.

Closing Date

August 19, 2026

Please note that the position might be filled before the deadline

As a humanitarian organization, Relief International is committed to the safeguarding of all those we come into contact with through our work. We are committed to the core humanitarian principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse. Relief International expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment and uphold the values and behaviors outlined in the Code of Conduct.

Recruitment to all roles in Relief International include a criminal records self-declaration, references, and other pre-employment checks, which may include police and qualifications checks.