Background

Ansari Rehabilitation Association for Afghanistan (ARAA) is a national, non-governmental, not-for-profit organization, established in 1992 for serving the people of Afghanistan through its operation in sectors of Health, Protection, agriculture/irrigation, water and sanitation, education, reintegration, social services, and construction, as well it has been established to provide humanitarian supports, based on the principles of human rights, Islamic and cultural values of our country, and environmental and socio-economic sustainability to the vulnerable people of Afghanistan.

In continuation of its 2025 program operational plan, ARAA is seeking for a qualified person to apply for this position.

Job Description/Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Country Programme Manager, the Technical Supervisor for MHPSS shall:

• Provide technical supervision, guidance, and support to PSS counselors to ensure high-quality psychosocial interventions.
• Develop and standardize counseling protocols, tools, and guidelines in line with international MHPSS best practices and UNHCR standards.
• Oversee the implementation of MHPSS activities, ensuring consistency and adherence to the project objectives.
• Conduct training sessions and workshops for PSS counselors and other relevant staff on advanced counseling techniques, trauma-informed care, and community-based psychosocial support.
• Mentor and coach the PSS team to build their technical capacity and improve service delivery.
• Close coordination with the Country Programme Manager, Protection officer, and field teams to plan, monitor, and evaluate MHPSS activities across the WR provinces.
• Conduct regular field visits to supervise and evaluate the work of PSS counselors, providing constructive feedback for improvement.
• Support the development of work plans, progress reports, and technical reports and updates.
• Oversee the design and implementation of community-based MHPSS activities to promote resilience and social cohesion.
• Ensure culturally sensitive approaches are incorporated into all MHPSS interventions.
• Develop and maintain a referral network for specialized mental health services, ensuring a continuum of care for beneficiaries.
• Collaborate with local health authorities, community organizations, and other stakeholders to strengthen the MHPSS response.
• Oversee the collection, analysis, and reporting of MHPSS data to the Reporting officer while maintaining confidentiality and ethical standards.
• Provide regular technical reports on MHPSS activities, challenges, and lessons learned to the Country Programme Manager and donor.
• Ensure all MHPSS activities align with national policies, UNHCR guidelines, and international standards.
• Advocate for the integration of mental health services into broader protection and humanitarian programming.

Job Requirements

• bachelor’s degree, master’s degree in clinical psychology, Psychiatry, Social Work, or related field (PhD or specialized certifications in MHPSS are an advantage).
• At least 5 years of experience in MHPSS program implementation, including supervisory roles for bachelor’s degree. 3 years of professional experience for Master's, and 1 year experience for PhDs.
• Proven experience in providing technical support and capacity building for MHPSS teams in humanitarian or conflict settings.
• Expertise in MHPSS standards, including IASC Guidelines on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings.
• Proficiency in developing and implementing counseling protocols and community-based interventions.
• Familiarity with monitoring and evaluation tools specific to MHPSS programming.
• Fluent in Dari and Pashto. Proficiency in English is required.
• Strong leadership and team-building skills, with the ability to provide constructive feedback and mentorship.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Cultural sensitivity and adaptability to work effectively in diverse and challenging environments.
• Willingness to travel extensively across Herat, Farah, Badghis, and Ghor provinces.
• Commitment to ARAA and UNHCR’s humanitarian principles, including confidentiality and beneficiary dignity.
• Ability to manage stress and emotionally challenging situations with professionalism and resilience.

Submission Guideline

• Please submit your CV and cover letter to hr@hrt.araa.org.af and clearly write the vacancy number, job title and duty station in the subject line. Correspondents without a subject line will not be entertained and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
• Please also note that:
• Only shortlisted applicants will be asked for an interview.
• ARAA retains the full right to cancel or amend this announcement and associated actions.
• In case you did not hear from our side latest after two weeks, it means that your application is not considered for the position.
• Failure to provide the required documentation or submission beyond the closing date will result of applicant rejection from further consideration.