Job description

We need to keep children safe so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.

Save the Children International seeks to always be a child-safe organization by fulfilling its obligations to the community and through programme implementation carried out by the organization for safeguarding children and improve their living standards of the child.

Position:  MHPSS Officer

LOCATION: Aden Head Office

Staff reporting to this post: MHPSS Assistants.

Budget Responsibilities: N\A.

ROLE PURPOSE:

The CP-MHPSS Officer is responsible for providing and/or ensuring the provision of MHPSS Support and services to vulnerable and at-risk children, their families, and communities. Services will be delivered through various settings including communities, community centers, and schools, using SCI's MHPSS models such as PM+, adolescents experiencing emotional and behavioral difficulties (EASE), Safe families, Child and Youth Resilience, structured play and recreation, home-based care, individual counselling, group counselling, and others.

The CP-MHPSS Officer will provide direct psychological support to children experiencing, or at risk of, mental health and psychological challenges. They will ensure that services are age-appropriate, gender-sensitive, and culturally relevant. This role requires close coordination with colleagues across multiple sectors, including Child Protection, Education, Health, and Nutrition, to ensure an integrated approach to programming. The Officer will also support the development and delivery of contextualized MHPSS messaging for children, caregivers, and communities.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

Program planning, delivery, coaching & supervision and monitoring:

• Support the technical planning and rollout of SCI’s MHPSS models (e.g., PM+, adolescents experiencing emotional and behavioural difficulties (EASE), Safe families, Child and Youth Resilience, structured play and recreation, home-based care, individual counselling, group counselling, and other) in line with SCI’s quality benchmarks.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of DIPs aligned with project timelines, budgets, and indicators.
• Coordinate with the MHPSS Coordinator to conduct regular monitoring of MHPSS activities and provide technical support during field visits.
• Ensure MHPSS interventions comply with global and SCI MHPSS and child protection standards and principles.
• Participate in all MEAL activities to assess effectiveness & impact of MHPSS programming.
• Conduct and document regular supervision and coaching sessions for facilitators and front-line workers delivering MHPSS services.
• Monitor the quality and adherence to protocols in individual/group counselling, structured play, and other MHPSS components.
• Support procurement processes, prepare weekly/monthly work plans, and contribute to the preparation of cash forecasts and logistics requests related to MHPSS.
• Ensure timely implementation and documentation of delays, risks, or challenges with suggested mitigation strategies.

MHPSS Implementation and Quality Assurance

• Provide tailored psychosocial counselling sessions to children and caregivers as per identified needs and internal referral protocols.
• Ensure MHPSS support is appropriately reflected in the daily work of caseworkers, and other front-line staff.
• Work with the MHPSS Coordinator to design and roll out MHPSS tools, guidance notes, and impact measurement systems.
• Conduct structured assessments to understand the MHPSS needs of children, caregivers, teachers, and communities.
• Ensure proper documentation, analysis, and reporting of MHPSS activities in line with SCI’s data protection and confidentiality standards.
• Support the development and follow-up of individual and group counselling plans, structured recreational sessions, and community-based psychosocial activities.
• Lead the facilitation of group activities, including recreational, resilience sessions.

Capacity Building: 

• Identify and address gaps in MHPSS knowledge and skills among frontline Facilitator.
• Support the MHPSS Coordinator in assessing the MHPSS capacity-building needs of SCI staff, MHPSS Facilitator, caregivers, teachers, and children.
• Support the Development and implementation of capacity-building plans aligned with assessed needs and global best practices.
• Conduct training sessions and on-the-job coaching on PFA, HB MHPSS principles, and integration of MHPSS into sectoral programming.
• Support the CP and other sectoral staff to integrate MHPSS in their day-to-day work and interactions with children and families.
• Participate in peer-to-peer learning and knowledge-sharing efforts across SCI & partners.

Reporting and administrative:

• Compile weekly and monthly reports detailing MHPSS activities, outputs, and any identified challenges or gaps.
• Ensure timely and high-quality inputs to SCI and donor reports related to MHPSS activities.
• Maintain up-to-date documentation on assessments, sessions conducted, training delivered, and referrals made.
• Ensure accuracy and timeliness of MHPSS data collection tools and coordinate with MEAL and data teams for analysis.
• Participate in the development and documentation of lessons learned, success stories, and best practices in MHPSS programming.

Coordination, advocacy and Networking: 

• Conduct and update service mapping for MHPSS services and maintain relationships with service providers (specialized and non-specialized).
• Facilitate referrals for specialized and non-specialized MHPSS services in coordination with internal and external actors.
• Maintain positive coordination and collaboration with SCI CP, Health, Education, and other sectoral teams to ensure integrated programming.
• Liaise with partners, CBOs, and relevant authorities to promote access to MHPSS services and support referrals and case discussions.

General: Carryout any other duties as may be assigned from time to time. 

SKILLS AND BEHAVIOURS (our Values in Practice)

Accountability:

• Holds self-accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values
• Holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities - giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved

Ambition:

• Sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves and their team, takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages their team to do the same
• Future orientated, thinks strategically and on a global scale.

Collaboration:

• Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to; builds and maintains effective relationships with colleagues, Members and external partners and supporters
• Values diversity and different people’s perspectives, able to work cross-culturally.

Creativity:

• Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions
• Cuts away bureaucracy and encourages an entrepreneurial approach

Integrity:

• honest, encourages openness and transparency, builds trust and confidence

Displays consistent excellent judgement.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE AND ATTRIBUTES

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in psychology, Psychiatry, Mental Health, Psychosocial Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of 3-4 years of professional experience, including at least 1 years in psychosocial support programming in humanitarian settings.
• Proven experience working directly with children and/or adolescents, especially in child protection and MHPSS.
• Strong experience in training, coaching, and capacity building of staff and Facilitators.
• Understanding of MHPSS principles, child development, and psychosocial risk factors.
• Familiarity with child protection mechanisms, national systems, and referral pathways.
• Proven skills in report writing (weekly, monthly, monitoring reports).
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to represent Save the Children in meetings with government and external stakeholders.
• Strong capacity to work collaboratively in a team environment and under pressure.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Fluent in Arabic (written and spoken); English proficiency is an asset.
• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity in practice.
• Commitment to safeguarding children and other vulnerable groups from all forms of harm.
• Understanding of confidentiality and ethical considerations in child protection work.
• Experience working with NGOs or INGOs in humanitarian settings.
• Knowledge of SCI Common Approaches (e.g., PFA, HEART, PM+).
• Experience in multisectoral programs, integrating MHPSS with child protection, education, or health.
• Good understanding of local community dynamics, politics, and traditional networks.
• Ability to work independently while maintaining a cooperative approach with team members.
• Experience working in challenging and high-pressure environments.

Desirable:

Ability to work effectively under a line management structure with minimal supervision.

Application Information:

Please attach a copy of your CV and cover letter with your application, and include details of your current remuneration and salary expectations.  A copy of the full role profile can be found at www.savethechildren.net/careers/apply

“Save the Children is an equal opportunity employer. Women are strongly encouraged to app