MHPSS Counselors

Afghan Women Rights Organization (AWRO) is a national, non-profit, non-political organization working to promote the rights and well-being of Afghan vulnerable populations through initiatives in livelihoods, health, nutrition, education, food security and other humanitarian responses. AWRO has successfully implemented multiple humanitarian projects across Afghanistan, with a strong focus on community engagement, inclusion, and sustainability.

The MHPSS will provide psychosocial support services to individuals and communities affected by stress, trauma, displacement, or crisis, improving mental well-being and resilience in line with humanitarian and protection standards.

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The PSS Counselors will carry out the following duties, including but not limited to:

• Provide individual counseling sessions to PLW and children experiencing distress or trauma.

• Conduct group counseling and PSS sessions for community members, especially women and caregivers.

• Deliver trauma-informed care, ensuring dignity and sensitivity in all interventions.

• Conduct mental health screenings and psychosocial assessments to identify needs.

• Identify and refer cases requiring advanced psychological or psychiatric care.

• Facilitate community-based PSS activities such as support groups and educational sessions.

• Provide basic mental health orientation to CHWs, including recognition of symptoms and referral pathways.

• Conduct mental health and well-being education sessions in the community.

• Educate PLW and caregivers on coping with stress and anxiety, mental health during and after pregnancy, and child and family well-being.

• Provide psychological first aid to individuals in immediate distress.

• Participate in case discussions and coordination meetings with the health and MHNT teams.

• Ensure that PSS services are accessible, inclusive, and respectful of cultural and social norms.

• Maintain accurate, confidential records of all PSS sessions and activities following ethical standards.

• Support the teams with other health and nutrition-related activities.

• Any other tasks as related to the position or assigned by the supervisor.

• Bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work, counseling, sociology or related field or diploma with additional one year of work experience.

• Minimum two years of work experience.

• Good knowledge of mental health conditions, counseling techniques, psychosocial first aid, and MHPSS principles.

• Ability to conduct individual and group counseling sessions and identify cases needing specialized mental health care.

• Familiarity with national health and MHPSS guidelines.

• Preference will be given to candidates who have previous working experience with Mobile Health and Nutrition Teams (MHNT), as this experience is considered highly relevant and important for the position.

• Familiarity The Project targeted areas which are Barmal, Dila, Gomal, Sar Rawzah, Surobi, Turwo, Urgun, Waza Khwah, Yahya Kheil and Yusuf Kheil district of Paktika Province is preferred.

Interested and qualified candidates are encouraged to submit their updated CV and a cover letter as a single Word document, clearly stating the position title and vacancy number (MHPSS Counselors - AWRO-PKA-AHF-26-09) in the subject line. Applications without this subject line will not be considered for the next step of the recruitment process.

Email : [email protected]