Job Title

psychosocial officer

Country & Base of posting

Ayna BUGNA, North Wollo

Reports to

Health and Nutrition program Manager

Creation/Replacement (incl. name)

NEW 

Expected Date of Arrival

May 2026

Duration of Mission

6 months with possibility of extension  

General Information on the Mission

Context

Première Urgence Internationale (PUI) is a non-governmental, non-profit, non-political and non-religious international aid organization. Our teams are committed to supporting civilians’ victims of marginalization and exclusion, or hit by natural disasters, wars and economic collapses, by answering their fundamental needs. Our aim is to provide emergency relief to uprooted people in order to help them recover their dignity and regain self-sufficiency. 

PUI in Ethiopia has been providing humanitarian assistance in Afar, Benishangulgumuz and Amhara regional state addressing the need of population affected by both manmade and natural disasters.

Première Urgence Internationale is an NGO resulting from the merger of Aide Médicale Internationale (AMI, created in 1979) and Première Urgence (PU, created in 1991) in 2011. It then adopted the name of Première Urgence – Aide Médicale Internationale (PU-AMI). In 2015, the NGO adopted officially the name of Première Urgence Internationale (PUI). PUI Head Quarter is in Paris region. Currently the organization is providing humanitarian assistance in 24 countries of which 11 are in Africa and the rest are in Europe, Middle East, Asia and Latin America.

PUI’s strategy/position in the country

Following the north Ethiopia conflict, which erupted in 2020, and the reports of recurrent drought, which is affecting the life and livelihood of millions in different regions of Ethiopia, PUI decided to contribute its part to address the humanitarian needs triggered by both manmade and natural disasters. For this reason, PUI has been registered with FDRE Authority for Civil Society Organization (ACSO) since June 22, 2022, to enable the organization to operate legally in the country. Since then, PUI has been doing needs assessment in different regions of the country to identify gaps to decide where to put its effort for optimum results. Following some of these assessments, PUI has decided to implement its first project in Afar region where the consequences of the recent conflict and the ongoing drought has significantly affected the population of the region.

PUI is also actively looking for more partners to respond to more humanitarian needs in other regions of the country which were affected by conflict and natural disasters. 

The current projects in Afar, Amhara and Benishangul Gumuz regions are mainly focusing on creating better access to health and nutrition services for the conflict affected population. PUI is working in collaboration with local health authorities in providing support to revitalize the conflict affected health systems in those regions. In Metekel zone of BGRS, PUI is supporting Debatie health centre and its cluster health posts while in Afar, PUI is supporting Abala hospital nutrition program in Abala town of Afar region Kilbati Rasu zone and a health centre in Dallo woreda in same zone. PUI is also supporting the implementation of nutrition programs in two health centres Abala woreda and is expanding operations to include Berhale Woreda.

PUI is expanding its interventions to Amhara region where the ongoing conflict has affected provision of health services. Accordingly, the organization is opening a new project in North Wollo and East Gojjam zone of the region to respond to such needs. For this response, PUI is hiring technical team to be based in Meket and Ayna Bugna, North Wollo and Enebssie Sarmidir Esat Gojjam zone to undertake the intervention.

Job description

Overall objective

The PSS officer will support planning, implementation, and monitoring of psychosocial support activities, to address mental health and psychosocial needs of affected population. The role focuses on improving well-being, resilience, and protection of vulnerable groups, including women, children, and individuals exposed to trauma or crisis. The PSS Officer ensures that services are delivered in a safe, ethical, and culturally appropriate manner, while strengthening community-based support systems and integrating PSS into broader health and protection programs.

Tasks and Responsibilities

1. Mentor health workers and counseling services at the community and health facility    

• Provision of Psychosocial stimulation as part of the treatment of SAM for children with severe acute malnutrition.

• Support the integration of PSS into health, protection, and education programs.

• To ensure and encourage home-based stimulation services by caregivers.

• Provide individual and group need-based counseling on optimal MIYCN practices for caregivers of children 0-23 months and PLWs and Baby Friendly Space Services.

• Capacitated government HWs and HEWs on the skill of counseling services in optimal breastfeeding during emergencies.

• Provided information and support on SGBV prevention and risk mitigation. 

• Conducted training GBV and Child Protection Guidance and Psychological First Aid and Integrated Approach for Safer Programming

• Capacity Building on GBV Case Management & Psychological First Aid (PFA)

• Provide emergency individual protection assistance (Emergency Support to survivors of GBV, children and individuals at risk)

• Conduct Community Consultations with Women, Girls and Local Organizations

• Provide psycho-social support, and psychological first aid to survivors who have experienced psychological trauma, torture, gender-based violence GBV, domestic violence, and when necessary to survivors of natural disasters.

• Support safe spaces for women, children, and vulnerable groups.

• Work in collaboration with PHCC and health post staff to receive referred beneficiaries, ensure follow up of referred PSS/ PFA beneficiaries, and guide health facility staff on PSS.

• Provide screening and assessment of psychological trauma.

• Sensitize, psycho-educate, problem solving, dialogue and mediate with the beneficiary’s population about issues of war, torture, trauma, violence and GBV.

• Ensure all work with clients is confidential and that ethical practices are observed in the culturally appropriate way, especially concerning gender sensitivities.

• Perform community awareness on trauma and psychosocial support to beneficiaries and community leaders.

• Refer patients when needed to more specialized services in link with health PM.

• Perform case follow-up and case management when there is a need.

• Develop an action plan for the follow-up patients. 

• Engage in self-care through supervision, debriefings, and other shared sessions.

• Adhere to safeguarding and protection policies, including prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA).

2. Planning and organization of activities 

• Ensure the follow-up of the activity schedule in collaboration with his line supervisor.

• Participate in weekly meetings and adapt the activity schedule to possible changes in context.

• Participate in the development and implementation of any medical activity that is part of the PUI program or in response to an unforeseen situation.

3. Represent the organization to partners

• To present the project and ensure the link with the various local partners.

• Ensure a good relationship between the team and the target population.

• Collaborate with other actors working in the different under supervision.

• Elaborate on the reports necessary for the project: supervision report, monthly reports.

4. Other tasks

• Participate in PUI project team meetings and strategic thinking.

• Participate in meetings organized by PUI.

• Contribute to the safety monitoring of the zone by reporting to his/her line supervisor any safety-related constraints. 

Job Requirements

Required knowledge and skills

Required knowledge and skills

Desired knowledge and skills

TRAINING

• Master’s or bachelor’s degree in psychology or bachelor’s degree in any health discipline+ diploma in psychology  

professional experiences

• Similar experience of 5 years for first degree or 3 years for MSc

• Experience in humanitarian sector

 Knowledge and skills

• Knowledge of the computer tool

• Languages

• English

• Amharic

Personnel skills

• Good communication skills, diplomacy, and a solution-oriented attitude.

• Curiosity and interest in the organization's activities.

• Good ability to manage deadlines in emergency response contexts (stress resistance).

• Honesty, integrity.

• Adaptability, flexibility.

• Autonomy, sense of initiative and anticipation.

• Punctuality.

How To Apply

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

If you are interested in the position of PSYCHOSOCIAL OFFICER, please strictly follow the instructions below.

Step 1: Fill out the application form at the following link:

   Job Application Form-PSYCHOSOCIAL OFFICER – Fill out form

Step 2: After successfully completing the form, submit the following documents via            www.ethiojobs.net:

A non-returnable CV

A cover letter clearly stating your motivation.

Three professional references

Subject line must read: " PSYCHOSOCIAL OFFICER"

Applications that do not follow this two-step process will not be considered.

Deadline: Thursday, April 13, 2026

NB: Only short-listed applicants will be communicated on, and the selection process includes technical test and an interview.

Job Requirements The role requires a Master’s or Bachelor’s degree in psychology or related health discipline, with at least five years of relevant experience for a bachelor’s holder or three years for an MSc holder. Candidates must be proficient in English and Amharic, possess strong communication and diplomatic skills, and demonstrate adaptability, autonomy, and stress resistance. How to Apply Apply using the provided link below.