Job ID
44051
Job Title
MHPSS Officer
To work for
Terre des hommes Foundation - Switzerland
Country
Syria
City
Lattakia
Field of Work
Humanitarian/Disasters
Job Type
Full time
Military service
Not Specified
Minimum Education Level
Bachelor/ License Degree
Responsibilities
General Responsibilities:
The MHPSS Officer plays a vital role in ensuring that Terre des hommes (Tdh) delivers high-quality, culturally sensitive, and relevant mental health and psychosocial support interven-tions—either directly or through partners—in Lattakia. This role involves offering expert tech-nical guidance to social workers and community volunteers, and partner staff, enabling them to implement evidence-based, contextually appropriate activities that address the psychosocial needs arising from conflict, displacement, and resource shortages.
Central to this position is leading capacity-building efforts through training, on-the-job coach-ing, shadowing, and supervision, to strengthen team competency in navigating the complex dy-namics of Lattakia’s crisis-affected communities. In collaboration with the MHPSS Specialist and Project Manager, the officer adapts and integrates both focused (clinical-level) and non-focused (community-based) MHPSS approaches, ensuring they respond effectively to evolving local PSS needs.
The officer is also responsible for regularly assessing activity performance, designing monitor-ing tools tailored to operational challenges, and safeguarding intervention quality. Built upon strategic alliances with local authorities, referral services, and other MHPSS / child protection actors, the role ensures that safe, accessible, and coordinated care pathways are maintained and strengthened. Reporting directly to the Project Manager and technically to MHPSS Specialist, this position not only supports field-level implementation but also ensures alignment with Tdh’s broader regional and national MHPSS strategy. The position is based in Lattakia, with required mobility based on project demands.
Specific Responsibilities:
Assessments and coordination:
- Work with MEAL team in conducting MHPSS needs analyses, baseline studies, and periodic studies, and help feed back findings to Project Manager.
- Support efforts to map and identify external mental health and PSS services for referrals especially level 4 services
- Participate in MHPSS meetings and coordination forum in Lattakia to ensure alignment and represen-tation of Tdh.
- Attend the CPAOR sub-sector meeting and represent Tdh.
Technical Support and monitoring:
- Support the Tdh team and partners in MHPSS response strategies and interventions to strengthen MHPSS service delivery.
- Ensure that activities are implemented in line with Tdh’s Standard Operating Procedures and docu-mentation requirements, adhere to the fundamental principles of Interagency Standing Committee MHPSS Guidelines (e.g. Do No Harm, Multi-layered supports, confidentiality & data protection, coor-dination, etc.).
- Set work plan of the MHPSS/ CP activities with the support of social workers, CP officer and Project Manager.
- Support Social workers and community volunteers in their daily workplan.
- Support the Project Manager in organizing resources and events with an MHPSS component that will support the project goal.
- Design a capacity needs assessment for the Social Workers and volunteers to identify capacity-building opportunities to improve MHPSS interventions.
- Collaborate with the monitoring and evaluation team to ensure the timely submission of accurate re-ports and data, respecting data protection protocols and confidentiality.
- Ensure timely submission of weekly plans and reports to the project manager and technical supervi-sor.
- Organize and lead psychosocial group sessions for vulnerable adolescents and their caregivers to support them in developing skills to reduce distress.
- Develop and update emergency MHPSS response plans: Tailoring plans specifically for rapid deploy-ment and intervention during and immediately after acute crises, considering the unique psychological impacts of natural disasters and conflict.
- Empower local communities to identify their own MHPSS needs and lead initiatives, such as support groups, recreational activities, and cultural events that promote healing and social cohesion.
- Highlight the need for psychosocial support and protection for MHPSS staff and volunteers who are themselves exposed to traumatic stories and challenging working conditions.
- Ensure the adherence to the professional standards as well as the Code of Ethics for Tdh.
- Comply with Tdh safeguarding policy and security protocols.
The MHPSS Officer plays a vital role in ensuring that Terre des hommes (Tdh) delivers high-quality, culturally sensitive, and relevant mental health and psychosocial support interven-tions—either directly or through partners—in Lattakia. This role involves offering expert tech-nical guidance to social workers and community volunteers, and partner staff, enabling them to implement evidence-based, contextually appropriate activities that address the psychosocial needs arising from conflict, displacement, and resource shortages.
Central to this position is leading capacity-building efforts through training, on-the-job coach-ing, shadowing, and supervision, to strengthen team competency in navigating the complex dy-namics of Lattakia’s crisis-affected communities. In collaboration with the MHPSS Specialist and Project Manager, the officer adapts and integrates both focused (clinical-level) and non-focused (community-based) MHPSS approaches, ensuring they respond effectively to evolving local PSS needs.
The officer is also responsible for regularly assessing activity performance, designing monitor-ing tools tailored to operational challenges, and safeguarding intervention quality. Built upon strategic alliances with local authorities, referral services, and other MHPSS / child protection actors, the role ensures that safe, accessible, and coordinated care pathways are maintained and strengthened. Reporting directly to the Project Manager and technically to MHPSS Specialist, this position not only supports field-level implementation but also ensures alignment with Tdh’s broader regional and national MHPSS strategy. The position is based in Lattakia, with required mobility based on project demands.
Specific Responsibilities:
Assessments and coordination:
- Work with MEAL team in conducting MHPSS needs analyses, baseline studies, and periodic studies, and help feed back findings to Project Manager.
- Support efforts to map and identify external mental health and PSS services for referrals especially level 4 services
- Participate in MHPSS meetings and coordination forum in Lattakia to ensure alignment and represen-tation of Tdh.
- Attend the CPAOR sub-sector meeting and represent Tdh.
Technical Support and monitoring:
- Support the Tdh team and partners in MHPSS response strategies and interventions to strengthen MHPSS service delivery.
- Ensure that activities are implemented in line with Tdh’s Standard Operating Procedures and docu-mentation requirements, adhere to the fundamental principles of Interagency Standing Committee MHPSS Guidelines (e.g. Do No Harm, Multi-layered supports, confidentiality & data protection, coor-dination, etc.).
- Set work plan of the MHPSS/ CP activities with the support of social workers, CP officer and Project Manager.
- Support Social workers and community volunteers in their daily workplan.
- Support the Project Manager in organizing resources and events with an MHPSS component that will support the project goal.
- Design a capacity needs assessment for the Social Workers and volunteers to identify capacity-building opportunities to improve MHPSS interventions.
- Collaborate with the monitoring and evaluation team to ensure the timely submission of accurate re-ports and data, respecting data protection protocols and confidentiality.
- Ensure timely submission of weekly plans and reports to the project manager and technical supervi-sor.
- Organize and lead psychosocial group sessions for vulnerable adolescents and their caregivers to support them in developing skills to reduce distress.
- Develop and update emergency MHPSS response plans: Tailoring plans specifically for rapid deploy-ment and intervention during and immediately after acute crises, considering the unique psychological impacts of natural disasters and conflict.
- Empower local communities to identify their own MHPSS needs and lead initiatives, such as support groups, recreational activities, and cultural events that promote healing and social cohesion.
- Highlight the need for psychosocial support and protection for MHPSS staff and volunteers who are themselves exposed to traumatic stories and challenging working conditions.
- Ensure the adherence to the professional standards as well as the Code of Ethics for Tdh.
- Comply with Tdh safeguarding policy and security protocols.
Qualifications
Education:
University degree in Psychology.
Qualifications:
- Ability to work under pressure and cope with challenging environments.
- Knowledge of PFA, burnout risks, and trauma among humanitarian workers or delivering organizational staff care would be advantageous.
- Good knowledge of local legislation concerning MHPSS care for children and local and national referral pathways.
Experience:
- At least four three of experience in a similar position in the field.
- Experience in supervising MHPSS teams, delivering scalable psychological interven-tions (e.g., PM+, IPT, PFA), and working under challenging conditions.
- Previous experience of working with children and adults.
Previous experience with an NGO is desirable.
- Proven track record and experience in emergencies would be an advantage.
Languages:
Fluent in Arabic and English (oral, and written).
IT Knowledges:
Good IT knowledge (Microsoft Office, Internet).
University degree in Psychology.
Qualifications:
- Ability to work under pressure and cope with challenging environments.
- Knowledge of PFA, burnout risks, and trauma among humanitarian workers or delivering organizational staff care would be advantageous.
- Good knowledge of local legislation concerning MHPSS care for children and local and national referral pathways.
Experience:
- At least four three of experience in a similar position in the field.
- Experience in supervising MHPSS teams, delivering scalable psychological interven-tions (e.g., PM+, IPT, PFA), and working under challenging conditions.
- Previous experience of working with children and adults.
Previous experience with an NGO is desirable.
- Proven track record and experience in emergencies would be an advantage.
Languages:
Fluent in Arabic and English (oral, and written).
IT Knowledges:
Good IT knowledge (Microsoft Office, Internet).
Specific Vacancy Requirements
Due to the urgency of this role, we will be reviewing CVs and interviewing candidate in advance of the closing date. For this reason, interested candidates are asked to submit their application as soon as possible.
Salary and Benefits
As per Terre des hommes Foundation - Switzerland Salary Scale.
About us
Terre des hommes (Tdh) is the leading Swiss organisation for childrens aid. Through our health, protection, and emergency relief programs, we provide assistance to over four million children and their families in around 40 countries each year. Terre des hommes (Tdh) opened its Syria mission in 2021 and through 2022 we started to establish its operations with a small team based in Damascus.
Required employees number
1
Posted On
Aug 20, 2025
Expiry Date
Sep 19, 2025
Photo
Required
CV Language
English
