MHPSS Officer

Way of Hope to Life Organization (WHLO) is a non-profit, non-political, and non-governmental organization founded by 2002 by a group of Afghan intellectuals and youth with a shared vision of creating meaningful empowerment and a brighter future for Afghan communities. WHLO is officially registered with the ministry of economy under registration number 480.

Over the 23 years, WHLO has successfully implemented more than 250 projects across Afghanistan in the areas of: Education, Health, Food Security & Livelihood, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) and Community Development.

WHLO strongly believes in human rights-based development, humanitarian cooperation, accountability, equality, and non-discrimination, guided by these values, WHLO has earned a reputation as a trusted implementing partner among local communities, government stakeholders’ international donors.

Job Summary:
The MHPSS Officer will be responsible for planning, coordinating, and delivering individual and group psychosocial support services to vulnerable individuals and communities, including returnees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), host community members, women, youth and other vulnerable groups. The position will contribute to strengthening psychosocial well-being, social empowerment, community resilience and social cohesion through inclusive, gender-responsive, conflict-sensitive and do-no-harm approaches. The officer will also establish and maintain referral pathways to specialized mental health, protection and gender-based violence (GBV) services, as appropriate.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Social Work, or a related field.

• Two to three years of relevant experience delivering psychosocial support and referral services in humanitarian or development settings.

• Practical experience facilitating individual and group PSS sessions and working with vulnerable individuals and communities.

• Experience working with returnees, IDPs, host communities, women, youth and other vulnerable groups is an asset.

• Knowledge of confidentiality, safeguarding, protection principles, conflict sensitivity and do-no-harm approaches.

• Ability to establish effective working relationships with community members, local stakeholders and relevant service providers.

Core competencies

• Strong interpersonal, communication and facilitation skills.

• Empathy, active listening and a respectful, non-discriminatory approach.

• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information responsibly.

• Strong coordination, documentation and reporting skills.

• Commitment to gender equality, inclusion, safeguarding, PSEA and accountability to affected populations.

• Ability to work effectively with diverse and vulnerable communities in a culturally sensitive manner.

• Fluency in Pashto and Dari is required.

• Working knowledge of English is required.

• Plan and facilitate individual and group psychosocial support (PSS) sessions using recognized, evidence-informed and do-no-harm approaches appropriate to the needs of targeted beneficiaries.
• Identify psychosocial support needs among returnees, IDPs, host community members, women, youth and other vulnerable individuals through safe, respectful and inclusive engagement.
• Develop and implement psychosocial support activities that promote emotional well-being, positive coping strategies, social connectedness, mutual understanding and community resilience.
• Facilitate social empowerment and community-based activities that encourage interaction, trust-building and peaceful relationships among returnees, IDPs and host community members.
• Establish, document and maintain referral pathways to specialized mental health, protection and GBV services for individuals whose needs exceed the project's mandate.
• Ensure that referrals are conducted safely, confidentially and with appropriate consent, in accordance with established protection and data-protection procedures.
• Integrate Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA), Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) awareness and conflict-sensitivity messaging into psychosocial support activities.
• Apply safeguarding, confidentiality, informed-consent, gender-responsive and do-no-harm principles throughout all MHPSS interventions.
• Coordinate with the Project Manager, Social Protection/Community Support Officer, Livelihoods/Economic Participation Officer, social mobilizers and relevant service providers to ensure integrated and complementary support to beneficiaries.
• Maintain accurate and confidential records of PSS sessions, attendance, beneficiary participation, referrals and activity progress, ensuring appropriate protection of personal information.
• Monitor the quality, accessibility and effectiveness of psychosocial support activities and identify implementation challenges and opportunities for improvement.
• Prepare regular activity updates, progress reports, beneficiary statistics and supporting documentation in accordance with project requirements and UNDP reporting standards.
• Contribute to the preparation of work plans, activity schedules, monitoring tools, lessons learned and the final project report.
• Participate in project coordination meetings, relevant capacity-building sessions and other activities required to ensure timely and quality implementation.

To carry out the responsibilities of the role in a way that reflects WHLO’s commitment to protecting children in accordance with the Child Safeguarding Policy.

Application Procedures

• Interested qualified candidates should submit a full CV with a cover letter explaining their motivation in applying for the job and highlighting their relevant skills and experience;

• Please quote the Vacancy Number as the Subject of the e-mail when applying

• To apply online please send your application / CV and cover letter through EMAIL [email protected]

no later than 7th Nov 2026

• Academic certificates or references need not to be submitted at this time. These will be requested at the time of interview.

• Only short-listed candidates will be invited for written test and interview.

Females are highly encouraged to apply.

WHLO is committed to the highest ethical standards and to fostering a safe, inclusive, and respectful working environment. Our work is guided by the core values of Responsiveness, Equality, Impartiality, Social Justice, and Integrity.

WHLO is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse, exploitation, and neglect. We maintain a zero-tolerance approach to sexual exploitation, abuse, sexual harassment, discrimination, and all forms of misconduct.

Background, reference, and other appropriate pre-employment checks will be conducted as part of the recruitment process for the successful candidate.