SHC MHPSS Counsellor (Maternity Cover - Local Recruitment)

Action Against Hunger (ACF) is a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) that was created in France in1979. ACF has been active in Afghanistan in the medical, nutrition, food security, and water and sanitation fields since 1995. ACF improved access to health and nutrition services for the most vulnerable people, who live in remote areas without a localhealth system. In particular, the country team supported pregnant and breastfeeding women and children under five, who are atgreater risk of malnutrition. Nutrition programs rely on an integrated approach, addressing both primary and underlying causes, inorder to have a lasting impact on nutritional status. The country team worked at community level, in villages and at provincial level,strengthening the public health system. It also worked at national level to ensure reliable information about the nutritional situation reached the wider humanitarian community. Covid-19 prevention was integrated into all interventions and additional responseactivities were implemented, such as the disinfection of health facilities and public places, cash assistance, psychosocial support andthe distribution of hygiene kits to affected populations.

Job Purpose

Responsible for the implementation of MHPSS and care practice integrated with nutrition and health intervention. Objective 1: Participate in implementing MHPSS and care practice integrated with nutrition and health intervention: Identify the psychosocial and care needs of the mothers and caretakers in the health facility and design a methodology for improving the psychosocial Assess the existence of a psychosocial care service within the health facilities, work to improve/strengthen psychosocial care services in the health facilities Participate in elaborating teaching aids and adapting them according to the target population needs ; Objective 2: Improve child stimulation and encourage mothers in the relationship with their child: Implement as many play sessions as possible and provide toys tailored to match the age and capacities of the children Provide children and accompanying adults with the opportunity to play together and to improve the mother/child relationship; Conduct stimulation activities for the mothers and children according to the beneficiaries’ needs

Conduct individual counselling for the mothers and care takers

Evaluate the beneficiaries’ knowledge before and after the sessions

Provide support to the health instructor and take part in appetite testing as often as possible

Organize and direct sessions on breast-feeding practices or on child development

Make use of the appetite test to observe and encourage the mother/children bond

Provide as much help as possible to any parent/guardian whose child experiences difficulties during the appetite test

Objective 3: Organize discussion groups and working groups with the beneficiaries

Stimulate exchange between beneficiaries in discussion /working groups on a particular theme and make them more dynamic. Be capable of observing and analyzing the content of a group session and evaluate it on the basis of an evaluation grid

Be capable of receiving and restraining expressions of strong emotions

Objective 4: Contribute to the follow up of the beneficiaries’ care practices

Identify the beneficiaries and attendants who need special attention (unusual behavior, aggressiveness, isolation, food refusal, etc.) Ensure that these persons are given support through interviews, individual counselling and by referring them to the medical team in sensitive situations; Inform the supervisor or psychologist of any information or observations made following an educational activity session ;

Keep the files concerning social activities up to date

Any other position related activities requested by supervisor

SKILLS & EXPERIENCES REQUIRED FOR THE JOB

Education (if relevant) and experiences expected

Bachelor’s degree in psychology, and counselling or psychosocial from a reputed university

At least 2 years’ experience in and familiarity in the field mental health and psychosocial support in emergency setting

Previous experiences working in mental health

Required skills

Good team interaction and positive attitude

Autonomy and flexibility

Good clinical judgement and understanding of your responsibilities regarding confidentiality

Good organization, planning and reporting skills are necessary

Ability to manage working environment according to local culture

High flexibility in deployment, possible with Mahram

Knowledge of intervention areas is a plus

Strong interpersonal and communication skill

Capacity to manage communications via phone

Continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate

Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and to multi-task when needed

Strong empathy and listening skills

Good coordination, networking, inter-personal and relationship building skills, and diplomacy

Languages: Medium in English. Fluent in Persian (written, spoken, read). Fluent in Pashto (written, spoken, read).

Computer skills: Microsoft office package, Skype, email and data entry skills

Qualified and interested candidates should submit a cover letter and full CV with three Referees indicating the vacancy announcement to the address: Human Resources Department ACF office or can also be emailed to:

[email protected] indicating the job tile and vacancy number of the position in the email subject line.

Eligible candidates are invited to apply by the earliest possible, until 17 Sep 2026.

Do not submit academic certificates with the application. These will be requested if the candidate is selected. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for the written test/interview.

Action Against Hunger is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage women and people with disabilities to apply. ACF has zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation, sexual harassment, and abuse (SEA)

Employment at Action Against Hunger is free of charge. Action Against Hunger does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process to the candidates. Therefore, please refrain of offering money or any other form of compensation to anyone claiming that they can secure you a job or assist you in the hiring process and this is strictly against our recruitment policy.