MHPSS Specialist (Re Announced) (Re Announced)

Job Summary The MHPSS Specialist will strengthen the operational delivery, integration, and sustainability of MHPSS services across health, nutrition, SRH, and protection programs in Afghanistan. This role will operationalize, scale and monitor multi-layered MHPSS interventions, including mhGAP-HIG, Thinking Healthy, CBT-informed approaches, and PFA, while mentoring field teams and ensuring adherence to MHPSS IASC standards, SOPs, and referral mechanisms. Reporting to: Hierarchical: Protection Coordinator/Deputy Protection Coordinator Supervision of: PSS Team leads & PSS Counsellors in Afghanistan (in-person & remote) Location: Based in Kabul with regular travel to provinces- Kandahar, Helmand, Urozgan, Herat, Nimruz, Farah, and any other area of our expansion. Key Responsibilities of MHPSS Specialists Technical and strategic Leadership ● Contribute to the operationalization of the mission MHPSS strategy across health, protection, nutrition and SRH programmes in alignment with national guidelines, IASC guidance and organisational priorities. ● Ensure quality implementation of multi-layered MHPSS services, including mhGAP, structured community-based PSS (e.g., CCC), and focused non-specialized psychological interventions. ● Provide technical leadership and day-to-day guidance to PSS team leads, counsellors, CCC animators and multidisciplinary teams to ensure adherence to standards and high quality MHPSS service delivery, ethical practice do-no-harm, contextual approaches and client safety ● Conduct regular programme reviews and gap analyses and lead the implementation of corrective actions to improve coverage, quality, and continuity of care. ● Design and deliver capacity-building initiatives (training, coaching, structured supervision and on-the-job mentoring for health and protection staff on mhGAP, PFA, Thinking Healthy, Psychosocial social related approaches including brief CBT Interventions and techniques. ● Develop, standardize, and update technical tools and systems, including SOPs, supervision frameworks, training packages, implementation guidelines, and service protocols. ● Establish and maintain M&E and quality assurance mechanisms to track performance, outcomes, and adherence to technical standards for scalable psychological interventions. ● Support national capacity strengthening and sustainability by embedding MHPSS within routine services and promoting knowledge transfer across cadres. Terms of Reference (TOR) MHPSS Specialist Afghanistan ● Document and share operational learning and field feedback to inform adaptive programming, scale-up, and continuous technical improvement ● Contribute to the MHPSS component of proposals development ● Develop semi-annual and annual MHPSS trend analysis reports ● Provide and contribute to high quality internal and donor MHPSS activity reports Coordination Internal programme Integration and collaboration ● Coordinate and collaborate with the medical team to integrate and advance mental health and psychosocial interventions in Health and Nutrition services ● Collaborate with the protection case management team to strengthen PSS in case management and ensure proper referral procedures. ● Strengthen integration of MHPSS within PHC, GBV/CP/protection, nutrition and SRH through joint planning, referral pathways, and coordinated service delivery. ● Ensure donor compliance and high-quality reporting, in line with Sphere standards, cluster requirements, and internal MEAL frameworks Networking and Inter-Agency engagement ● Represent INTERSOS in MHPSS technical coordination platforms. ● Contribute to inter-agency strategy, technical harmonization, and advocacy. Expected Operational Deliverables ● Operational implementation of the mission-level MHPSS strategy and action plans within health and protection programs. ● Field-level operational rollout of mhGAP and structured psychosocial interventions. ● Integrated MHPSS services within Protection, PHC, Nutrition, and SRH programs ● Supervision, mentoring, and coaching reports for MHPSS service provision staff. ● Regular use of monitoring tools to track service quality and progress, with routine donor- compliant reporting. ● Program reviews, gap analyses and recommendations implemented. Job Requirements Education ● Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Counseling Psychology, Public Mental Health, or related field. ● Advanced certification in mhGAP-HIG, Thinking Healthy, or other evidence-based, scalable psychological interventions preferred. Terms of Reference (TOR) MHPSS Specialist Afghanistan Professional Experience ● 5–12 years progressive humanitarian experience, including hands-on MHPSS program implementation within Protection and PHC programs. ● Minimum 2–3 years in a technical supervisory or national specialist equivalent role with program design, team leadership, and operational oversight. ● Proven experience integrating MHPSS into Protection, PHC, Nutrition, and SRH programs. ● Demonstrated track record in delivering Level 2 psychosocial support and Level 3 focused interventions ● Experience mentoring multidisciplinary teams, supervising MHPSS staff and expanding program coverage and quality. ● Strong familiarity with SOP development, technical notes, training materials, supervision frameworks and monitoring tools. ● Experience in complex emergencies, including internal displacement contexts. Languages ● Fluency in English required. ● Fluency in Dari and/or Pashto is required and is mandatory Personal Attributes ● Commitment to INTERSOS principles, including Do No Harm, gender equality and inclusion. ● Strong leadership, problem-solving and communication skills. ● Ability to work under pressure in remote or complex operational environments. ● Excellent interpersonal skills and collaborative approach. Working Environment ● Kabul-based with travel to field sites. ● Up to 60% travel expected. ● Flexibility to adapt to security, operational and cultural considerations.