Job Summary

The Mental Health Psychosocial Support Services (MHPSS) Officer will provide the psychosocial, emotional and mental health needs for the patients/beneficiaries at the Samaritan’s Purse (SP) program area. The MHPSS Officer is responsible for the day-to-day implementation of MHPSS activities and services with supervision of MHPSS Coordinator. The position holder is also expected to provide individual and group counseling.

Job Requirements

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree in Psychiatric Nursing or with related field of study

• Renewed licensure

Experience:

• 3 – 4 years related experience, preferably in INGO

Location: Teru

Quantity Required: 1

Contract Duration: May 31, 2027

Language:

• Proficiency in English and Amharic

• Knowledge of the regional language required

• Knowledge of any other national language is a plus

Duties and Responsibilities

•  Conduct regular psychosocial assessments and engage with beneficiaries, patients, caregivers, and staff to identify mental health and psychosocial support needs within the MMU and communities served.

• Assist the Program Manager in the development of protection mainstreaming plan, which incorporate elements of protection mainstreaming, staff trainings on PESA, SGBV and CP, establish complaint mechanisms (CMs) and response strategy. 

• Provide psychosocial interventions, including psychological first aid, supportive counseling, psychoeducation, stress management, and family support.

• Identify and respond appropriately to individuals at risk of suicide or self-harm and facilitate immediate referral and follow-up according to organizational protocols.

• Administer prescribed psychotropic medications within the scope of professional licensure and organizational protocols.

• Facilitate group counseling sessions, psychoeducation sessions, support groups, and community-based psychosocial activities to promote resilience and social cohesion.

• Support in conducting community awareness and sensitization activities on mental health, stress management, trauma, coping mechanisms, and available support services.

• Support staff wellbeing initiatives and provide basic psychosocial support and stress management interventions for frontline workers when appro

• Collect, collate and disseminate SP MHPSS documentation, creating weekly and monthly reports to meet the reporting requirements and deadlines set by SP, Regional Health Bureau (RHB), Department of Health, WHO/UN agencies and Donors. 

• Work with staff to ensure care and communication is culturally sensitive.

•  Provide information, guidance, and referrals to appropriate health, protection, social, and community services based on identified needs. 

•  Strengthen referral pathways and coordination mechanisms for survivors of SGBV and individuals with mental health and psychosocial needs, ensuring timely and confidential referrals to appropriate services..

• Conduct regular community meetings with leaders of representative groups—women, youth, and PWDs—will be held to receive input and give feedback on the project to the community.

• Ensure patient confidentiality is respected at all times.

• Ensures opportunities are in place for safe, confidential reporting and community feedback with mechanisms to ensure accountability.

• Participate in clinical trainings and mentoring provided by leadership in dissemination of new knowledge or protocols.

• Carry out additional tasks and responsibilities with a generous and serving spirit for the benefit of Samaritan’s Purse.

Skills & Competencies

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be willing to abide by Samaritan’s Purse’s code of conduct and understand the principals of Samaritan’s Purse’s value, as well as be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Demonstrated sensitivity in diverse, cross-cultural settings.

• Knowledge of Sphere and established international protection and GBV standards, methodology and tools

• Attention to detail, anticipation and follow up are core values of the job function.

• Possesses strong organizational and problem-solving skills.

• Must be a self-starter and internally driven to success and hard work.

• Possesses strong cross-cultural communication skills, both written and verbal.

• Must be a humble team player

• Ability to be flexible and adaptable. 

• Willingness to travel in and out of the field. 

• Must have analytical and report writing skills.

• High level of integrity and stewardship

• Committed to the SP values and ethics

• Proficient in making clinical decisions in the care of the patient population serving. 

REASONING ABILITY 

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral diagram, or schedule form.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit.  The employee frequently is required to stand; walk and run; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT 

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but can be exposed to loud noises around the maintenance and construction workshops.

• May travel in country with exposure to communicable diseases, hot and humid weather conditions. 

• Work in a security context that is fluid

SAFEGUARDING COMMITMENT

The employee is required to carry out his/her duties in accordance with Samaritan’s Purse Safeguarding policy and Code of conduct.

Employee should remain alert and responsive to any child and adult safeguarding risks, acquire relevant knowledge and skills, which will enable him/her to promote strong safeguarding practices, understand the child and adult safeguarding policy and procedures, and conduct his/herself in a manner consistent with the Safeguarding Policy.

How To Apply

All interested candidates are encouraged to apply for the position advertised by submitting their CV/Resume (maximum of 2 pages) and application letter (one Page only) via our online-application form on THIS LINK

Note: We only accept applications sent via our online-application form

Job Requirements Bachelor's Degree in Psychiatric Nursing or with related field of study with relevant work experience How to Apply Click the apply button below Note: We only accept applications sent via our online-application form and applicants must have a renewed licensure