About GOAL

 GOAL is a humanitarian and non-governmental organization that has been working in Ethiopia for over 30 years, towards ensuring the poorest and most vulnerable in our world and those affected by humanitarian crises have access to the fundamental rights of life, including but not limited to adequate shelter, food, water and sanitation, healthcare, and education. GOAL implements a range of multi-sectoral development, resilience, recovery and humanitarian responses programmes by being sensitive to cross-cutting issues including gender, accountably, child protection, HIV/AIDS. Currently, we work with pastoralist, agropastoral, pastoral dropouts, rural small holder farmers, rural/urban youth and street children to respond to humanitarian crises and build resilience in Ethiopia working closely with local communities, local government, donors and other key actors. GOAL E Humanitarian Response is centered on nutrition, WASH, livelihoods, multipurpose cash, NFIs and protection interventions in country wide while the recovery and development focus on livelihoods, economic opportunities, health, health and nutrition system strengthening and WASH with solid emphasis on integrated programming and community-based approach in Oromiya regional state. The Street Children programme is implemented with local partners in Addis Ababa and Hawassa. 

We envision a world where poverty no longer exist, where vulnerable communities are resilient, where barriers to well-being are eliminated and where everyone has equal rights and opportunities. GOAL Ethiopia’s main donors Irish Aid, USAID/OFDA, EHF, ECHO, UNHCR, WFP, UNOCHA and other private don

    GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE ROLE

The Mental Health Officer is responsible for leading and delivering comprehensive Mental Health, and Neurological services integrated within primary health care and mobile health and nutrition teams. The position ensures provision of quality psychiatric, psychological, and psychosocial interventions in line with Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) and WHO mhGAP guidelines, particularly in humanitarian and displacement settings.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY/DUTIES (detailed list of tasks and outputs categorized by “daily” “weekly” “monthly” or any other category which fits the role)

A. Clinical & Psychiatric Services

• Conduct comprehensive psychiatric and psychological assessments, including differential diagnosis of common and severe mental disorders, neurological conditions, and substance use disorders.

• Initiate and manage psychotropic medications according to national and WHO mhGAP guidelines.

• Develop individualized treatment plans and monitor patient progress.

• Provide crisis intervention services, including suicide risk assessment and emergency psychiatric care.

• Diagnose and manage common neurological conditions such as epilepsy and headache disorders at primary care level.

• Ensure referral and follow-up of complicated psychiatric and neurological cases to higher-level facilities.

B. Psychological & Psychosocial Support

• Provide structured psychological interventions and trauma-informed care.

• Deliver individual counseling, group therapy, and psychoeducation sessions.

• Facilitate community-based psychosocial support activities.

• Provide Psychological First Aid (PFA) in emergency and displacement contexts.

• Support GBV survivors with specialized psychosocial and mental health services.

C. Capacity Building & Supervision

• Train and mentor health workers and community volunteers on mhGAP guidelines, PFA, case identification, and referral mechanisms.

• Supervise community health workers providing psychosocial services.

• Develop and implement screening tools and case detection mechanisms in collaboration with partners.

• Strengthen the capacity of zonal and woreda-level health staff on mental health service delivery.

D. Program Development & Coordination

• Develop MHPSS response strategies and action plans based on needs assessments.

• Ensure implementation of mental health protocols in line with FMOH guidelines.

• Map and strengthen referral pathways for psychiatric, neurological, legal, and protection services.

• Represent the organization in interagency MHPSS and protection working groups.

• Coordinate with health facilities, partners, and community structures to ensure integrated service delivery.

• Support resource mobilization efforts for mental health programming.

E. Monitoring, Reporting & Documentation

• Maintain confidential case files and clinical documentation.

• Produce timely monthly, quarterly, and situational reports (quantitative and qualitative).

• Conduct regular monitoring visits and share findings with supervisors.

• Record and map mental health activities conducted by partners and community groups.

F. Emergency & Early Recovery Response

• Provide emergency mental health and psychosocial support in humanitarian settings.

• Ensure continuity of care for patients with chronic psychiatric and neurological conditions during displacement.

• Contribute to early recovery mental health interventions following disaster or crisis.

Job Requirements

Qualification (Education, Experience , key qualities, skill and competence)

• Bachelor’s Degree in Psychiatry Nursing, Clinical Psychology, and Mental Health Nursing, with coursework in mental health and psychosocial programming in humanitarian or low-resource settings.

• Minimum of 2 years’ experience in mental health and psychosocial programming with significant experience 

• Able to work collaboratively across multiple teams and stakeholders.

• Able to operate independently and as part of a team.

• Willingness and capacity to be flexible and accommodating when faced with difficult and frustrating working conditions.

• Experience in providing training on MHPSS interventions including Psychological First Aid (PFA), Basic psychosocial skills, Basic helping skills, Safe identification & referral to Mental Health, well-being, and self-care activities, etc

• Thorough understanding of MHPSS programming & interventions.

• Thorough understanding of case management and social work.

• Experience working in NGOs or in an emergency context.

• Good communication skills with different stakeholders

• Ability to work under pressure.

• Fosters working in teams & teamwork spirit.

• Flexible and creative approach; keen to take initiative where appropriate.

• Accountability & responsiveness within areas of responsibilities.

• Knowledge of local language of the area is highly advantageous

Desirable quality, skill and competence

• Proven experience in MHPSS-E interventions and WHO’s MH GAP Intervention Guide.

• Familiarity to the local culture.

• Passionate, strongly dedicated and highly committed to work for the improvement of the poor community

Additional job responsibilities

The job duties and responsibilities as set out above are not exhaustive and the post holder may be required to carry out additional duties within reasonableness of their level of skills and experience.

GOAL has a Staff Code of Conduct, Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy, which have been developed to ensure the maximum protection of programme participants and children from exploitation. GOAL also has a confidentiality policy ensuring the non-disclosure of any information whatsoever relating to the practices and business of GOAL, acquired in the course of duty, to any other person or organisation without authority, except in the normal execution of duty. Any candidate offered a job with GOAL will be expected to adhere to these policies and other GOAL and Donor policies.

REMUNERATION and BENEFITS: 

• GOAL will pay a competitive basic salary based on the salary grading with additional benefits.

• A chance to develop tangible experience.

• Being part of a team that continues to make a real difference in the lives of the most vulnerable people.  

Commitments: 

GOAL’s recruitment procedure is fair and transparent which is also in line with the organization’s commitment to its integrity, honesty and culture. GOAL is committed to ensure that, its performance complies with the terms and conditions of relevant agreements, applicable laws & regulations. 

GOAL highly promotes Equality, diversity and inclusion and works with women and men, People with disabilities, and employees of various ages including youth, supports their empowerment and appreciates their achievements constantly. GOAL also encourages applications from diverse candidates including women, people with disabilities, people with diverse backgrounds, and youth to apply.

GOAL has zero tolerance to discrimination on the basis of gender, age, disability, ethnicity, religion, race, economic status etc . we strive to create a workplace environment that ensures every team, in every office, in every country, is rich in diverse people, thoughts, and ideas.

Hence, pre-employment background checks will be conducted, and employees are required to read, understand, sign and implement different polices including safeguarding and child protection policy, Protection from Sexual Exploitation and abuse policy, sexual harassment policy, code of conducts and any other rules and regulation of the organization. GOAL is strongly committed not to harm the people under its care. 

GOAL Ethiopia is committed to safeguarding and promoting the safety of people who involves in its work and demands all staff exhibit the highest commitment. GOAL Ethiopia will verify skills and commitment of the candidate in the assessment process and perform Background reference check.

You are welcome to include your sex (Male or Female) and any disability issues in your CV (please note that this information will only be used to comply with affirmative action policy of the organization)

How To Apply

APPLICATION PROCEDURE: 

Interested and qualified applicants need to submit ONLY once their non - non-returnable application with CV for one vacancy. The vacancy reference number, along with the title & Duty station, needs to be written in the application letter. 

• Applicants can directly apply through the green “Apply now” button

• Please be sure your application and CV should be in PDF or Word only. (The system couldn’t accept other than PDF and Word.)

GOAL strongly encourages female candidates to apply!

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for an interview and exam.

Shortlisted candidates will need to submit other supporting documents upon request at a later stage.

     GOAL is not able to contribute towards any costs incurred by candidates during the recruitment process

Job Requirements Bachelor’s Degree in Psychiatry Nursing, Clinical Psychology, and Mental Health Nursing, with coursework in mental health and psychosocial programming in humanitarian or low-resource settings with minimum of 2 years’ experience in mental health and psychosocial programming with significant experience  How to Apply Click the apply button below