Mental Health Coordinator

Children Of India Foundation; Bengaluru; On-site; INR 400,000 - 700,000; Full time

Job summary

Children Of India Foundation in Bengaluru, India seeks a dedicated professional to lead and support mental health projects at the community level. You will develop plans, train champions, and coordinate district-level sessions to raise awareness and improve access to services.

The role requires collaboration with government officials, NGOs, and local partners, ensuring ethical practices, safeguarding, and confidential handling of sensitive information.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, Public Health, Development Studies or related field.
• Minimum 3 years of relevant experience in community development, mental health, child protection, adolescent programmes or related social-sector programmes.
• Experience in community mobilisation, training coordination and stakeholder engagement.
• Experience working with government departments, community-based organisations and/or volunteers.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the projects mental health activity plan in coordination with the Programme Manager/Project Coordinator.
• Conduct baseline mental health needs assessment among identified target groups and provide technical inputs for analysis.
• Develop and review Kannada-language mental health IEC materials, including pamphlets, posters and flip charts.
• Plan and facilitate district-level mental health training for identified champions.
• Build the capacity of champions to conduct mental health awareness sessions.
• Organise and facilitate district-level mental health sensitisation meetings with local leaders and stakeholders.
• Provide technical guidance on mental health awareness and appropriate referral.
• Coordinate with health, education and government stakeholders to strengthen access to services.

Skills

Mental health basics

Facilitation

Training coordination

Stakeholder engagement

Documentation & reporting

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in Social Work / Psychology / Sociology / Public Health

Job description

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the projects mental health activity plan in coordination with the Programme Manager/Project Coordinator.
• Conduct and coordinate baseline mental health needs assessment among the identified target groups and provide technical inputs for analysis of findings.
• Develop, adapt and review mental health training materials, workbooks, visual aids and Kannada-language manuals.
• Develop and review Kannada-language mental health IEC materials, including pamphlets, posters and flip charts.
• Plan and facilitate district-level mental health training for identified champions.
• Build the capacity of champions to conduct mental health awareness sessions with EMGs and other target groups.
• Ensure to facilitate block-level mental health awareness sessions by the champions with Early-Married Girls.
• Ensure conducting mental health sensitisation sessions by the champions with girls at risk at the school level.
• Organise and facilitate district-level mental health sensitisation meetings with local leaders and relevant stakeholders.
• Provide technical inputs and facilitate mental health sensitisation meetings with district-level government officials and service providers.
• Develop and maintain a directory/mapping of available mental health and psychosocial support services in the project area.
• Establish and strengthen appropriate referral pathways for individuals requiring counselling, psychological or other specialised mental health support.
• Provide technical guidance to CIF staff and community-level Champions on mental health awareness, supportive communication and appropriate referral.
• Ensure confidentiality, safeguarding and appropriate ethical practices during mental health-related activities.
• Coordinate with relevant health, mental health, education and government stakeholders to strengthen access to appropriate services.
• Regularly monitor the quality and reach of mental health activities and identify areas for improvement.
• Collect and maintain relevant data on mental health activities, participants, referrals and outcomes in accordance with CIF's monitoring and reporting systems.
• Document good practices, case studies, challenges, learnings and recommendations related to the mental health component.
• Prepare monthly, quarterly and other project-related reports on mental health activities as required.
• Provide regular updates to the Programme & Partnerships Lead/IMAGE Project Coordinator on progress, challenges and emerging mental health needs.
• Participate in project review meetings, planning meetings and other relevant organisational activities.
• Undertake any other mental health-related responsibilities assigned by the supervisor in line with the objectives of the project.

Preferred candidate profile

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, Public Health, Development Studies or a related discipline.
• Minimum 3 years of relevant experience in community development, mental health, child protection, adolescent programmes or related social-sector programmes.
• Experience in community mobilisation, training coordination and stakeholder engagement.
• Experience working with government departments, community-based organisations and/or volunteers.

Key Competencies

• Technical understanding of mental health and psychosocial well-being.
• Strong facilitation and training skills.
• Ability to communicate mental health concepts in simple, community-friendly language.
• Empathy, active listening and sensitivity towards vulnerable groups.
• Good coordination and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Planning, organising and time-management skills.
• Documentation and reporting skills.
• Commitment to safeguarding, confidentiality and ethical practice.
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a multidisciplinary team.