We employ approximately 25,000 people across the globe and work on the ground in over 100 countries to help children affected by crises, or those that need better healthcare, education and child protection. We also campaign and advocate at the highest levels to realize the right of children and to ensure their voices are heard. 

We are working towards three breakthroughs in how the world treats children by 2030:

•               No child dies from preventable causes before their 5th birthday

•               All children learn from a quality basic education and that,

•               Violence against children is no longer tolerated

We know that great people make a great organization and that our employees play a crucial role in helping us achieve our ambitions for children.  We value our people and offer a meaningful and rewarding career, along with a collaborative and inclusive workplace where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued.

SCI - Afghanistan

Save the Children has been working in Afghanistan since 1976. Our way of working close to people and on their own terms has enabled us to deliver lasting change to tens of thousands of children in the country. The UN Convention of the Rights of the Child is the basis of our work.

We are helping children get a better education, we make it possible for more boys and girls to attend school, we help children protect themselves and influence their own conditions. We work with families, communities and health workers in homes, clinics and hospitals to promote basic health in order to save lives of children and mothers.

CHILD SAFEGUARDING:

Level 3: the post holder will have contact with children and/or young people either frequently (e.g. once a week or more) or intensively (e.g. four days in one month or more or overnight) because they work country programs; or are visiting country programs; or because they are responsible for implementing the police checking/vetting process staff.

ROLE PURPOSE:

The MHPSS Counsellor will provide immediate and context-appropriate mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) services to vulnerable children and caregivers affected by emergencies, with a special focus on those in border areas and informal settlements. The role includes individual and group support, community awareness, capacity-building, and coordination with humanitarian actors to ensure safe, protective environments for children.

SCOPE OF ROLE:

Reports to: Child Protection Officer

Staff reporting to this post: None

Direct: 0

Indirect: 0

Budget Responsibilities: 0

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

• Deliver basic psychosocial first aid and emotional support to children and caregivers during border crossings or displacement.
• Conduct structured individual and group counselling sessions for children, adolescents, and caregivers experiencing distress or trauma.
• Participate in MHPSS/CP coordination meetings with partners and government stakeholders at the field level.
• Liaise with IOM, DoRR, and other relevant actors for service mapping and case referral.
• Facilitate community sessions on mental health, coping strategies, and child protection topics (e.g., stress management, trauma response, resilience)
• Lead public information campaigns and safe messaging during crisis response in coordination with the ACCM and CP teams.
• Conduct awareness sessions on NEVA (Neglect, Exploitation, Violence, and Abuse), PFA, SIR, and CPiE at border entry points and informal settlements.
• Train and mentor child protection facilitators, community volunteers, and local leaders on psychosocial support and child protection principles.
• Promote positive parenting and supportive family behaviors in displacement contexts.
• Regularly monitor CFS and Child Help Desks, providing technical support to facilitators and frontline staff.
• Maintain confidential records of all sessions, referrals, and interventions.
• Attend and complete MHPSS training programs to enhance skills and knowledge in best practices.
• Participate in relevant inter-agency coordination meetings, workshops, and conferences as assigned.
• To assist the child protection officer in analysing situation children who are at risk 
• Organize community dialogues to reduce stigmatization of mental health and promote safe spaces for children.
• Document activities, track attendance, and submit timely weekly and monthly reports to the CP Officer.
• Ensure the efficient use of resources and maintain cost-effectiveness in all activities.
• Any other tasks relate to child protection programs given by line manager

BEHAVIOURS (Values in Practice)

Accountability:

• holds self-accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values.
• holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities - giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved.

Ambition:

• sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves and their team, takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages their team to do the same.
• widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others.
• future orientated, thinks strategically and on a global scale.

Collaboration:

• builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, Members and external partners and supporters.
• values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength.
• approachable, good listener, easy to talk to.

Creativity:

• develops and encourages new and innovative solutions.
• willing to take disciplined risks.

Integrity:

• honest, encourages openness and transparency; demonstrates highest levels of integrity.

QUALIFICATIONS:

- Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, or Social Sciences

- Minimum of one year experience in children protection (MHPSS) 
- Social work experience, preferably with children  
- Knowledge of Child Protection, child rights and MHPSS  
- English language skills (ability to write basic reports)
Skills:
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills  
- Strong verbal communication in Pashto/Dari  
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team  
- Strong time management and meeting facilitation skills  
- Skilled in community engagement and mobilization  
- Knowledge of working with vulnerable children and communities  
- Familiar with computer programs (MS Office, Internet)  
- Detail-oriented and accurate in task execution  
- Ability to travel to districts/provinces as needed  
- Respects cultural norms and confidentiality  
- Able to work under pressure in challenging environments  
- Committed to Save the Children’s mission and child safeguarding policies

Desirable:
- Experience in child participation, MHPSS, and community-based programming

- Experience in conducting training or teaching

Additional job responsibilities:

The duties and responsibilities as set out above are not exhaustive and the role holder may be required to carry out additional duties within reasonableness of their level of skills and experience.

Equal Opportunities:

The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with the SCI Equal Opportunities and Diversity policies and procedures.

Child Safeguarding:

We need to keep children safe so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.

Health and Safety:

The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with SCI Health and Safety policies and procedures.

Qualified applicants are highly encouraged to apply for the position by filling in the online application form. In addition to the online application form, they can also attach their update CV and cover letter in the online system. Please note that only the applications received through the online portal will be considered for this position.

Applicants can login to the online application system by copying and pasting the following link intro their web browser. Returning users will need to enter their username and password, first time users will need to create a user account.

Link:

https://hcri.fa.em2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1/job/14869/?amp;locationId=300000000345568&locationLevel=country&mode=location&lastSelectedFacet=LOCATIONS&selectedLocationsFacet=300000000341839

It is recommended that you save your username and password for future job applications through the online system.

Save the Children International (SCI) is committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion as core to our vision and values. We provide equitable employment opportunities and aim to increase the representation of women, people with disabilities, and individuals from minority groups to effectively meet the diverse needs of the children and communities we serve.

At SCI, we value the authentic selves of everyone, including you! If you have any access needs or require support due to a disability or other reasons, please let us know at the time of your application. We are here to assist you and ensure an accessible and inclusive recruitment experience.

Please note: SCI does not request any fees during any stage of the recruitment process.

We need to keep children safe so our selection process reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.