Job Description

Title: Assistant MHPSS

Company Name: Partners in Health and Development (PHD)

Vacancy: 1

Age: Na

Job Location: Cox`s Bazar (Teknaf)

Salary: Tk. 45455 (Monthly)

Experience:

• At least 3 years

Education

• Master’s degree in Psychology, Counselling, Social Work, Mental Health, or another relevant discipline from a recognized institution. Additional training in MHPSS, Psychological First Aid (PFA), counselling, psychosocial support, or community mental health will be an advantage.
• Valid professional registration or certification from the relevant Government of Bangladesh authority, where applicable.

• At least 3 years

Experience – Essential

• Minimum 3 years of relevant experience working in a clinical, Field hospital, diagnostic, or primary healthcare laboratory.
• Experience in specimen collection, laboratory testing, result documentation, and quality control.
• Experience in operating and maintaining common laboratory equipment.
• Experience in laboratory inventory management and monitoring reagents and consumables.
• Good knowledge of laboratory biosafety, IPC, and medical waste management.
• Desirable
• Experience working with NGOs, INGOs, humanitarian, or development program.
• Previous experience in the Rohingya Response or other.
• Experience supporting community-based MHPSS activities.
• Training in PFA, counselling, case management, protection, or psychological support.
• Knowledge of available MHPSS and protection referral pathways in Cox’s Bazar.

Skills & Competencies

Technical Skills

• Good understanding of MHPSS principles, Psychological First Aid, psychosocial support, and referral mechanisms.
• Ability to conduct basic psychosocial screening and identify clients requiring further support.
• Good knowledge of confidentiality, informed consent, safeguarding, and professional boundaries.
• Ability to maintain accurate MHPSS documentation and reports.
• Basic proficiency in MS Word, Excel, and relevant data collection/reporting tools.
• Ability to facilitate basic awareness and psychosocial support sessions.

Communication & Interpersonal Skills

• Strong communication, active listening, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to communicate respectfully and sensitively with clients and caregivers.
• Ability to work effectively with multidisciplinary teams.
• Good facilitation and group-session skills.
• Ability to work respectfully with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Good written and spoken English and Bangla.

Other Competencies

• Empathy, patience, and non-judgmental attitude.
• Strong commitment to confidentiality and professional ethics.
• Good organizational and time-management skills.
• Ability to manage sensitive information appropriately.
• Strong teamwork and coordination skills.
• Ability to work independently under appropriate supervision.
• Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced humanitarian environment.
• Cultural sensitivity and respect for community norms.
• Flexibility to respond to emergency MHPSS requirements.

Job Description: Assistant MHPSS- Jointly operated by Save the Children & PHD Mother and Child Hospital (MCH).

Duty Station: Camp 21, Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar

Reports to: Clinical Psychologist

Accountable to: Project Coordinator

Expected Date of Joining: 01^st December 2026. The selected candidate must be available to join on this date.

Position Summary

The Assistant Officer – MHPSS (Mental Health and Psychosocial Support) will support the planning and delivery of quality, safe, and client-centered mental health and psychosocial support services at the assigned health facility. The position holder will assist with screening, basic psychosocial support, referrals, follow-up, awareness activities, documentation/ regular data entry, and coordination under the supervision of qualified MHPSS/mental health professionals.

The Assistant Officer – MHPSS will work closely with Medical Officers, Clinical Psychologist, Nurses, Community Health Workers, counsellors, protection teams, MEAL, and other relevant departments to ensure timely and appropriate support to individuals and families. The position will contribute to integrated MHPSS services within the Rohingya Response, with particular attention to dignity, confidentiality, protection, and safe referral pathways.

Key Responsibilities

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

MHPSS Service Delivery

• Support the delivery of basic mental health and psychosocial support services under appropriate supervision.
• Conduct basic psychosocial screening and identify clients requiring further assessment or specialized support.
• Provide psychological first aid (PFA), supportive listening, and basic psychosocial support within the approved scope of practice.
• Support individual and group-based psychosocial activities as assigned.
• Promote a safe, respectful, confidential, and non-judgmental environment for clients.
• Ensure services are provided in accordance with approved MHPSS guidelines and SOPs.
• Identify clients requiring urgent or specialized mental health intervention and refer them appropriately.

Client Assessment, Referral & Follow-up

• Support initial identification and assessment of psychosocial and mental health needs.
• Assist in identifying signs of severe psychological distress, suicide risk, violence, abuse, or other protection concerns and immediately report through appropriate procedures.
• Maintain updated referral information and facilitate referrals to appropriate health, mental health, protection, or specialized services.
• Follow up with referred clients as appropriate and within approved procedures.
• Coordinate with clinical and community-based teams to support continuity of care.
• Ensure informed consent and confidentiality are maintained throughout the referral process.

Psychosocial Activities & Community Support

• Support awareness and psychoeducation sessions on mental health, stress management, coping strategies, and available services.
• Assist in organizing group sessions, recreational activities, peer-support activities, and other appropriate psychosocial interventions.
• Support community-based MHPSS activities in coordination with Community Health Workers and relevant program teams.
• Promote positive coping mechanisms and reduce stigma related to mental health.
• Provide information to clients and caregivers about available MHPSS and referral services.
• Support outreach activities targeting vulnerable individuals and groups.

Patient Safety, Safeguarding & Confidentiality

• Maintain strict confidentiality of client information and MHPSS records.
• Ensure all interactions are respectful, culturally sensitive, and client-centred.
• Follow safeguarding, PSEA, child safeguarding, and protection procedures.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries with clients and community members.
• Identify and safely report safeguarding, protection, or abuse concerns through established channels.
• Ensure client information is shared only with authorized personnel on a need-to-know basis.
• Promote dignity, informed consent, and the rights of all clients.

Documentation & Reporting

• Maintain accurate and confidential MHPSS records, registers, referral forms, and follow-up documentation either in hard copies or in digitalized database, or both.
• Record service delivery information in accordance with approved tools and procedures.
• Support preparation of daily, weekly, monthly, and other MHPSS reports as required.
• Ensure completeness and accuracy of MHPSS data and documentation.
• Support data collection for program monitoring and reporting.
• Maintain secure filing and storage of MHPSS-related records.
• Report significant service delivery concerns or trends to the supervisor.

Coordination & Team Support

• Work closely with Medical Officers, Nurses, Counsellors, CHWs, MEAL, Protection, and other relevant teams.
• Participate in multidisciplinary case discussions and coordination meetings as required.
• Support integration of MHPSS into general health and other program services.
• Coordinate with referral facilities and specialized service providers when required.
• Provide appropriate feedback to the supervisor regarding client needs and service gaps.
• Support internal and external monitoring, assessments, evaluations, and program reviews.

Capacity Building & Awareness

• Support MHPSS orientation and awareness sessions for health facility staff and community workers.
• Assist in organizing refresher sessions on basic psychosocial support, PFA, and referral procedures.
• Promote awareness of mental health and psychosocial support services among clients and communities.
• Support staff and community volunteers in recognizing common signs of psychological distress and appropriate referral.
• Participate in relevant trainings and professional development activities.

Emergency Preparedness & Response

• Support MHPSS activities during humanitarian emergencies, disease outbreaks, disasters, and mass casualty incidents.
• Provide or support Psychological First Aid (PFA) within the approved scope during emergencies.
• Assist in identifying individuals experiencing acute psychological distress following emergencies.
• Support referral and follow-up of individuals requiring specialized mental health or protection services.
• Participate in emergency assessments and psychosocial response activities as required.
• Remain flexible to support urgent MHPSS program requirements during emergencies.

Quality Improvement & Program Support

• Support implementation of MHPSS guidelines, SOPs, and quality standards.
• Participate in routine review of MHPSS services and identify areas for improvement.
• Assist in monitoring service utilization, referral completion, and other relevant indicators.
• Support client feedback and complaints mechanisms in accordance with organizational procedures.
• Contribute to lessons learned and program improvement activities.
• Ensure MHPSS activities are implemented in a safe, ethical, and culturally appropriate manner.

Working Conditions

The position will be based in Cox’s Bazar, with regular work at the assigned PHCC/MCH, Field Hospital, Rohingya camp, or other program locations as required.

The role may involve working directly with individuals and families experiencing psychological distress and other psychosocial vulnerabilities.

The position holder may be required to provide additional support during disease outbreaks, natural disasters, displacement, mass casualty incidents, or other humanitarian emergencies.

Additional Job Responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities outlined above are not exhaustive. The role holder may be required to undertake additional duties reasonably related to their qualifications, skills, and experience, based on programme and operational requirements.

Safeguarding

The post holder is required to perform all duties in accordance with the organization's safeguarding, Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA), child safeguarding, anti-harassment, code of conduct, and other relevant organizational policies and procedures.

Equal Opportunity

The organization is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from qualified candidates regardless of gender, age, disability, ethnicity, religion, or other status.

Health and Safety

The post holder is required to carry out all duties in accordance with organizational Health, Safety, Security, Infection Prevention and Control, laboratory biosafety, and other relevant policies and procedures.

Monthly Gross Salary: BDT 45,455 /= (Only) Bonus and other benefits: 10% of the monthly gross salary. Other Benefits: Office hours, annual leave, increments, will be provided as per the organizational policy and Recruitment & Human Resource Management Policy of Partners in Health and Development (PHD), subject to project budget availability.