CARE is a non-governmental, non-political, non-profit, non-partisan and non-sectarian humanitarian organization, extending its relief and development assistance to those in need. CARE, as an International Confederation of 13 member organizations is one of the world's largest private humanitarian organizations working in more than 90 plus, countries committed to helping communities in the developing world achieve lasting victories over poverty.

Job Purpose:

Under the overall supervision of the Project Manager, this position will be responsible for providing technical MHPSS support to the PSS prevention and response programme in Afghanistan. 

The detailed job description is mentioned below.

Key responsibilities:

Programme management and technical leadership:

• Support the implementation of the MHPSS program and manage programmatic and technical staff of the service delivery points so that the program objectives are achieved on time.
• Mentor and supervise PSS counselors and develop a plan for PSS counselors mentoring and supervision.
• Conduct individual and group supervision sessions/case review meetings with PSS counselors regularly in collaboration with the project manager.
• Conduct ongoing assessment of MHPSS interventions as well as staff knowledge and skills within the Psychosocial Counseling Centers (PSCCs), Mother and Child Health Centers (MCHCs) with attention paid to staff changes and new recruitment. 
• Deliver training/orientation sessions as per need and maintain intensive follow-up/coaching to ensure skill development and application.
• Lead and support PSS counselors and front-line staff for provision of PFA, PSS Case management and other psychosocial interventions.
• Ensure PSS interventions are being carried out in compliance with UNFPA guidelines and SOPs.
• Coordinate with UNFPA’s implementing partners to strengthen existing referral mechanisms between service delivery points and other service providers.
• Ensure the rolling out of SOPs and guidelines shared by UNFPA.
• Promote self-care and staff care through a systemic and integrated approach involving direct staff support and orientation sessions on stress management and self-care.

Capacity Development:

• Provide ongoing support to PSS counselors’ capacity-building activities.
• Ensure all the field staff have received all the mandatory training.
• Analyze results of monitoring visits and data to identify capacity development needs. 
• Support the ongoing capacity development of the staff to respond to emergency/humanitarian crises with awareness of PSS needs, referral options, and interventions.

Monitoring and Reporting

• Document training and supervision using tracking tools designed with the M&E Specialists and  record participants’ progress.
• Supervise and review monitoring tools for PSS interventions to support quality programming in compliance with international standards. Conduct monitoring visits and provide reports on compliance and challenges.
• Conduct a review of PSS response and prevention interventions to targeted beneficiaries to ensure that all interventions comply with the Guiding Principles, including the IASC Guidelines for Integrating MHPSS Interventions in Humanitarian Settings, the IASC Guidelines for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings and other international standards.
• Produce regular weekly, monthly and quarterly progress reports as per organization requirements.

Carry out any other duties as requested by the project manager/ Programme Coordinator.

Safeguarding Responsibilities:

• Uphold CARE’s Safeguarding Policy (https://www.care-international.org/resources/care-international-safeguarding-policy) and Safeguarding Code of Conduct.
• Must read the Safeguarding Policy and either sign the Safeguarding Code of Conduct or sign a Code of Conduct that is consistent with or references this policy and Safeguarding Code of Conduct.

Safety and Security Responsibility:

We all have a responsibility to promote a safe and secure work environment, foster a safety and security culture, and ensure consistent application of, and compliance with, CARE Afghanistan safety and security policies and procedures.

Education:

• A master's or bachelor's degree in psychology, social work,  social sciences or a related field.

Work experience:

• Good understanding of MHPSS programming/ best practices with a minimum of 3-4  years of experience in field-based or in an emergency context.
• Experience in providing psychosocial support to women and girls, including counseling multi-sectoral services and referral mechanisms.
• Demonstrated organizational skills: working independently and productively.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and team management skills: the ability to successfully and effectively liaise with key stakeholders.
• Demonstrated understanding of confidentiality, data safety, and other ethical concerns about sharing sensitive data.
• Experience in supervision of MHPSS case workers / PSS Counselors is an advantage.
• Knowledge of integrated MHPSS and health/reproductive health services is an advantage.
• Excellent computer skills, including MS Word, Excel.

Languages:

• Fluency in spoken English and local languages (Dari or Pashto)

High-quality report-writing skills are required.

Safeguarding

CARE places human dignity at the center of its relief and development work. At the heart of CARE’s efforts to impact poverty and social justice is its engagement with marginalized communities, and vulnerable adults and children. Vulnerable adults and children are particularly at risk of sexual exploitation and abuse. CARE commits to the protection from sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse and of vulnerable adults and children, involving CARE Employees and Related Personnel. CARE has a zero tolerance toward sexual exploitation and abuse and child abuse. CARE takes seriously all concerns and complaints about sexual exploitation, harassment and abuse and child abuse involving CARE Employees and Related Personnel

CARE Afghanistan  participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we hereby request information from candidate’s previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the candidate left employment. All CARE Afghanistan’s offers of employment are subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks. By submitting an application, the applicant confirms his/her understanding of these recruitment procedures.

• Please submit your completed CARE Standard Job application form (ACBAR: Application Form) to afg.vacancies@care.org.
• Applications after the closing date (12:00 AM) and without CARE Application form will not be accepted.
• Please Indicate the position title, Vacancy Number in the Subject Line (MHPSS Technical Officer CARE-AF-0854 Parwan) otherwise your application will not be considered.
• Please note that there is no telephonic inquiry and only shortlisted applicants will be contacted with and call for Interview.
• The successful applicant will be expected to undergo a Background Check, Bridger check & Reference check and be compliant and sign up to Care Afghanistan’s Code of Conduct, PSHA (Prevention from Sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse) and other Care Afghanistan policies prior to a final offer being made.
• People with Physical Disabilities and Women are highly encourage to apply.
• CARE IS COMMITTED TO SAFEGUARDING POLICY (Available at: Safeguarding)
• CARE IS COMMITTED TO CODE OF CONDUCT (Available at: CARE Afg Code of Conduct (updated).pdf)