MHPSS Specialist

INTERSOS is an independent humanitarian organization that assists the victims of natural disasters, armed conflicts and exclusion. Its activities are based on the principles of solidarity, justice, human dignity, equality of rights and opportunities, respect for diversity and coexistence, paying special attention to the most vulnerable people.

Terms of reference

Job Title: MHPSS Specialist

Code: SR-28-10026

Duty station: Roving (Kabul, Kandahar, Uruzgan, Herat, and other INTERSOS operational provinces)

Starting date: 01/01/2026

Contract duration: 5 months

Reporting to: Medical & Protection Coordinator

Supervision of: MHPSS team

Type of Duty Station: Non-family duty station

General context of the project

Over 40 years of conflicts and political turmoil have taken a massive cumulative toll on the people of Afghanistan. A total of 18.4 million people, almost half of the total population, have been estimated by the UN to need humanitarian assistance prior to recent events. Severe droughts are recurring in Afghanistan, currently resulting in nearly 14 million people in acute food insecurity, with over 3 million children facing severe undernourishment. The recent displacement of 550,000 people is adding to an estimated 2.9 million people who remain internally displaced and in need of humanitarian assistance, while winter months are around the corner.

INTERSOS has been working in Afghanistan since 2001, with a country office in Kabul, and field bases in Kandahar and Zabul provinces. In recent years INTERSOS has been focusing its assistance based on integrated community-based approach that includes primary health care (including sexual and reproductive health care), nutrition and protection programmes serving conflict-affected populations, particularly in hard-to-reach areas, with a special focus on socially excluded individuals, including women, children and persons living with disabilities.

With its operational approach and active engagement with the communities, INTERSOS has been enjoying strong community acceptance and operational access. All INTERSOS activities continue to be implemented in Afghanistan at present time, with no operational restrictions and with full inclusion of female staff. It is widely anticipated that Afghanistan’s humanitarian situation may deteriorate further, given that the international support to key essential and social services – food aid, health, education, and other essential services, is currently frozen. Although humanitarian aid can not replace this gap, the international assistance that prioritizes urgent humanitarian needs will be essential. At the same time, unless the operational environment with all its impediments (including in relation to banking/cash transfers and counter-terrorism measures) does not improve, the response will continue to be a challenge.

General purpose of the position

The MHPSS Specialist will strengthen the integration, quality, and sustainability of MHPSS interventions across its health, nutrition, SRH, and protection programs in Afghanistan. She will lead the standardization of MHGAP implementation, scale up community-based psychosocial models such as Thinking Healthy, design child-focused PSS interventions, and mentor national staff for long-term capacity transition.

Main responsibilities and tasks:

• Review ongoing MHPSS activities and identify key gaps and priorities for integration.
• Develop a mission-level MHPSS Action Plan (2025–2026) aligned with INTERSOS health and protection strategies.
• Ensure technical quality and donor alignment in project design, reporting, and representation in MHPSS coordination forums.
• Develop standard ToRs, SoPs, and supervision tools for MHGAP implementation.
• Conduct Training-of-Trainers and mentorship sessions to build internal supervisory capacity among INTERSOS technical staff.
• Adapt and roll out the Thinking Healthy Programme within SRH and community interventions.
• Produce training materials, supervision tools, and SoPs; build capacity of SRH, MHPSS, and outreach staff for implementation and quality oversight.
• Design a psychosocial support package for children treated for acute malnutrition and their caregivers.
• Integrate the PSS package within CMAM/IYCF programs and train field teams on implementation and follow-up.
• Support the recruitment and technical mentorship of a qualified female national MHPSS Specialist.
• Facilitate a structured skills transfer plan covering leadership, supervision, and coordination functions.
• Provide technical input to INTERSOS HQ Medical Unit to support the development of global MHPSS SOPs and learning materials.

Expected Deliverables

• MHPSS Integration Plan and Implementation Roadmap.
• Standardized ToR and SoP for MHGAP implementation and supervision.
• SoP for the Thinking Healthy Programme rollout
• PSS package for malnourished children and caregivers.
• Training, supervision, and mentorship tools and reports.
• Transition plan for national MHPSS Specialist.

Required profile and experience

Education

• Advanced degree in Clinical Psychology, Psychiatry, or Public Mental Health.

Professional Experience

• Minimum 2 to 3 years relevant work experience as MHPSS in the humanitarian sector especially in fragile and unstable environments.

Professional Requirements

• Proven experience in MHGAP implementation, supervision, and training.
• Strong technical knowledge of community-based PSS models (Thinking Healthy, PM+, PFA, etc.).
• Demonstrated ability to develop SoPs, training materials, and supervision frameworks.
• Experience in capacity building and mentoring multidisciplinary teams.

Languages

• Fluent in English.

Personal Requirements

• Strategic vision.
• Leadership, people management & development.
• Initiative and innovation.
• Service orientation.
• Good organizational and planning skills.
• Ability to take initiative, work independently, manage time and work autonomously.
• Teamwork and cooperation.
• Commitment to INTERSOS principles.

How to apply

Interested candidates are invited to apply following the link below:

https://www.intersos.org/en/field-eng/#intersosorg-vacancies/vacancy-details/68ff4668ebcb1e02eb3b7986/

Please note that our application process is made of 3 quick steps: register (including your name, email, password and citizenship), sign-up and apply by attaching your CV in PDF format. Through the platform, candidates will be able to track their applications’ history with INTERSOS.

Please also mention the name, position and contact details of at least three references: two line managers and one HR referent. Family members are to be excluded.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for the first interview.