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 care practice and stimulation sessions.

Objective 1: Participate in implementing Psycho-stimulation and care practice sessions

• Identify and address the psychosocial and psychological care needs of mothers and caregivers within the health facility, and design a comprehensive methodology that fosters emotional support, stress management, and resilience-building. This approach should enhance caregiver well-being, promote nurturing interactions, and ultimately strengthen mother–child bonding.
• Assess the existence of a psychosocial care service within the health facilities, work to improve/strengthen  psychosocial care services in the health facilities

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 like bathing sessions and massage sessions according to the ACF SoPs.
• 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 analysing 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

SKILLS & EXPERIENCES REQUIRED FOR THE JOB

Education (if relevant) and experiences expected

• Bachelor`s degree in psychology, and counselling or psychosocial (psychology preferable), Nursing, Midwife or any other health relevant education with MHPSS background from a reputed university. 
• Experience in and familiarity with mental health, psychosocial support, and care practice activities.

Required skills

• Strong computer skills; familiar with word, excel, teams and email
• Excellent interpersonal & communication skills – verbal and written in both national languages (English will be an added value)
• Independent, critical mind and pro-activity
• High level of empathy & confidentiality
• Flexibility and organization
• Good team interaction and positive attitude
• Stress tolerance and ability to work effectively in a highly demanding workplace.
• Language proficiency in Dari, and Pashto are mandatory

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: vacancies-gh@af-actionagainsthunger.org 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 18 Jan 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.