District MHPSS Assistant-Lower Dir

Pakistan Centre for Philanthropy; Malakand Division; On-site; PKR 446,000 - 893,000; Full time

Job summary

Relief International in Pakistan seeks a District Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Assistant to support wellbeing centres, mobile clinics, and home-based activities. You will assist with PFA, confidential records, and community outreach, under supervision, ensuring safe and accessible services.

The role requires a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and at least two years of related experience, with willingness to travel district-wide and adhere to safeguarding policies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work, sociology, public health or a relevant field.
• At least two years of relevant community, psychosocial, health or protection programme experience.
• Ability to complete approved PFA and safeguarding training.
• Clear communication in Pashto, Urdu and a district language; basic English reading/reporting.
• Accurate record keeping and confidentiality practices.
• Experience supporting mobile teams, wellbeing centres, communities or caregivers.
• Prior PFA training and familiarity with consent-based referral procedures.

Responsibilities

• Accessible Services: Welcome participants, explain services, assist appointments and maintain confidentiality.
• Supervised Psychosocial Support: Provide PFA and basic support after training and supervision.
• Service Navigation: Help participants understand referrals and follow escalation procedures.
• Records & Safeguarding: Maintain coded records and report safeguarding concerns.
• Teamwork & Conduct: Participate in supervision, uphold RI conduct and safety policies.

Skills

Communication skills

PFA training

Community engagement

Confidentiality

Record keeping

Teamwork

District travel readiness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work, sociology, public health or related field

Job description

This position is open on a rolling basis and will be filled upon the availability of a suitable candidate.

Context

Relief International (RI) is an international non-profit organization that partners with communities impacted by climate change and disaster to save lives, build greater resilience and promote long-term health and wellbeing.

Our team of more than 7,000 staff and local volunteers work in 15 countries across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, providing Health and Nutrition, WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene), Education and Livelihoods programming that creates the foundation for community resilience.

We do this by working with local actors to develop safe and inclusive local programming that is evidence based, conflict sensitive, climate smart, and reaches those in need.

Relief International is an alliance of four organizations with one shared mission, comprised of Relief International, Inc., Relief International-France, Relief International-UK and Relief International-Europe, which operate under a one-team concept under a single senior leadership team.

In Pakistan, RI works with government institutions, communities, local organizations and humanitarian partners to deliver safe, inclusive and accountable programs across protection, mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS), education, health, livelihoods and WASH, including programming in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.

Job Profile

The District Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Assistant supports safe, accessible services across the assigned district's wellbeing centre, mobile clinics, community outreach and inclusive home-based activities. Reporting to the District MHPSS Officer, with technical oversight from the Provincial MHPSS Coordinator, the Assistant provides practical support, activity preparation, trained and supervised Psychological First Aid (PFA), confidential service navigation and accurate records. The role helps participants access appropriate support while qualified practitioners retain responsibility for clinical assessment, counselling and treatment decisions.

Key responsibilities

Context background

The RISE project provides community-based and layered mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS). Services promote wellbeing, coping, daily functioning and earlier, safer help-seeking through outreach, wellbeing centers, mobile clinics, home-based support, hotline services and referrals. Access is voluntary and based on assessed vulnerability and approved eligibility criteria. The role supports routine preparedness and approved emergency material assistance where applicable.

A. Accessible Services and District Activity Support

• Welcome participants respectfully, explain available services and feedback channels, and support appointments and orderly reception without requiring sensitive disclosures in public areas.
• Help prepare wellbeing centre sessions, mobile clinic schedules, community activities and approved home visits; organise accessible materials, private spaces and basic supplies with the Officer.
• Support participation by women and girls, persons with specific needs, female-headed households and people experiencing psychosocial distress; raise access barriers and required adjustments with the Officer.
• Explain voluntary participation and confidentiality in understandable language; support informed consent, child assent and caregiver consent procedures as applicable, using only necessary participant information.

B. Supervised Psychosocial Support and Outreach

• Provide PFA and basic practical support only after approved training, demonstrate competence and supervision, using respectful listening, clear information and connection to appropriate services.
• Assist the Officer with approved group, caregiver, adolescent and community wellbeing activities, following agreed plans without requiring participants to recount traumatic experiences.
• Support participatory awareness activities on positive coping, distress recognition, stigma reduction and available services; individual support needs identified during sessions must be referred for confidential follow-up.
• Join approved inclusive home-based visits and mobile outreach with the responsible team and agreed consent, safeguarding and security arrangements; do not diagnose, provide independent counselling or focused psychological interventions, advise on medicines or make clinical decisions.

C. Service Navigation and Urgent Escalation

• Help participants understand appointments, consent-based referrals and practical access arrangements approved by qualified staff; liaise with referral colleagues without promising services outside RI control.
• Recognise warning signs covered in training and promptly alert the Officer or designated clinical focal point to severe distress, immediate safety concerns or the need for urgent assessment.
• Follow approved emergency escalation procedures and qualified provider instructions; help arrange practical support without independently assessing or managing clinical crises.
• Support safe follow-up using agreed contact methods and minimum appointment or referral-status information; flag missed appointments, unsuccessful referrals and access barriers for the Officer's review.

D. Records, Accountability and Safeguarding

• Maintain accurate coded attendance, appointment, activity and supply records in approved tools; distinguish unique participants from repeat service contacts, sessions and referrals.
• Protect participant information through restricted access and secure storage and transfer; keep clinical notes and sensitive safeguarding details out of general attendance lists and routine reports.
• Explain accessible feedback channels, relay routine service concerns and promptly report safeguarding allegations through designated procedures, including to the Safeguarding Focal; do not investigate or seek unnecessary details.
• Support independent MEAL checks and voluntary participant feedback; services must not depend on survey participation, photographs, public disclosure or acceptance of another activity.

E. Teamwork, Quality and Professional Conduct

• Participate in supervision, refresher training and district reviews; seek guidance when tasks exceed competence and provide brief activity updates to support service improvements.
• Maintain professional boundaries and follow RI's Code of Conduct, safeguarding and prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment requirements; report misconduct or suspected data breaches through approved channels.
• Monitor readiness of activity spaces and assigned supplies, report shortages or damage, and follow infection prevention, field travel and security procedures relevant to each delivery setting.
• Undertake other duties consistent with the role and competence. Support emergency activities only following prior written donor approval of activation and assignment by the supervisor; record these separately from routine MHPSS services.

Behavior and Conduct

Maintain the highest standards of behavior inside and outside work and uphold RI's Code of Conduct, safeguarding policies and humanitarian principles.

Model ethical leadership and create an environment in which staff and communities can raise concerns safely and without retaliation.

Ensure that personal actions and those of managed teams do not compromise the safety, dignity, rights or confidentiality of staff, partners or communities.

Report and respond to concerns promptly through the appropriate RI channels.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in psychology, Social Work, Sociology, Public Health or a relevant social or health discipline.
• At least two years of relevant community, psychosocial, health or protection programme experience, including respectful direct engagement with vulnerable participants.
• Ability to complete approved PFA and safeguarding training and demonstrate the practical competencies required before providing support.
• Clear communication in Pashto, Urdu and a language commonly used in the assigned district; basic English reading and reporting ability.
• Accurate record keeping, basic computer skills, sound confidentiality practices and willingness to undertake regular approved district travel.
• Experience supporting mobile teams, wellbeing centres, community groups, adolescents, caregivers or persons with specific needs.
• Prior PFA training and familiarity with consent-based referral procedures and digital attendance or service-tracking tools.

RI Values

Guided by the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence, as well as Do No Harm, Relief International values:

• Integrity
• Inclusivity
• Sustainability

Relief International is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion, and female candidates are especially encouraged to apply.

This position is open on a rolling basis....