Assistant Officer – MHPSS

• 1 to 2 years
• The applicants should have experience in the following business area(s): College, NGO

• Master of Science (MSc) in Psychology
• Master of Social Science (MSS) in Social Work

• Master's degree in psychology (preferably Clinical or Counselling Psychology), Social Work, Counselling or a related discipline.

• 1 to 2 years
• The applicants should have experience in the following business area(s): College, NGO

Experience Requirements:

• 1-2 years of relevant professional experience in MHPSS, child protection, social work or related programming, preferably in alternative care or family strengthening.

• Experience working with children, adolescents, caregivers and families, including children with disabilities, will be considered an advantage.

Key competencies required:

• Knowledge of MHPSS principles, Psychological First Aid (PFA), trauma-informed care and child safeguarding principles.

• Knowledge of the Children Act 2013 and the UN Guidelines for the Alternative Care of Children is an advantage.

• Strong child-friendly communication and facilitation skills, including creative and participatory methods.

• Ability to work respectfully with children, young people, caregivers and families of different ages, gender, religion and abilities.

• Good documentation skills and strict respect for confidentiality and data protection.

• Proficiency in MS Office applications.

• Fluency in Bangla and good working knowledge of English.

• Ability to travel within the location and to other project locations as required.

• Demonstrated commitment to the values of SOS Children's Villages, adherence to the Code of Conduct, Child and Youth Safeguarding, PSHEA (Protection from Sexual Harassment, Exploitation and Abuse) principles, and strict compliance with confidentiality and data protection requirements.

Project Name: ALO (Advancing Lives through Optimal Care)

Project Duration: 1 January 2027-31 December 2028

Location of job: Dhaka, Khulna, Rajshahi, Bogura with travel as required

Nature of Job: Multi years Project, Fixed Term Contract for One year (Yearly renewable based on performance)

Mission of the Position:

The Assistant Officer - MHPSS will deliver Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) at one of the four CVW-funded locations under the ALO project. The position provides early identification, counselling, referral and crisis response for children and young people in Family-Like Care, Small Group Homes, Supervised Independent Living and Family Strengthening; coaches caregivers in day-to-day emotional support; and feeds anonymised trends into the quarterly learning cycle so that care practice is adjusted. MHPSS activities are co-designed with children and young people, and all work follows trauma-informed and child safeguarding principles.

Job Responsibilities:

• Early Identification and Psychosocial Support

• Identify early children and young people who show signs of distress, using agreed screening tools, observation and information from caregivers and case managers.

• Provide basic psychosocial support, Psychological First Aid (PFA) and trauma-informed counselling to children, young people and caregivers, individually and in groups, under the guidance of the Coordinator - MHPSS.

• Support children and young people facing challenges related to family separation, violence, neglect, trauma, loss or emotional distress.

• Facilitate resilience-building, life skills and well-being activities chosen by children and young people, such as peer support, arts and sport.

• Ensure inclusive participation across age, sex, disability and care type, and offer separate girls' and boys' sessions where sensitive topics are discussed.

Referral and Crisis Response

• Refer children and young people who need specialised mental health services through agreed referral pathways with health, social welfare and specialised providers, and follow up each referral.

• Respond to acute distress and crises in line with the MHPSS crisis-response protocol, escalating to the Coordinator - MHPSS and the child safeguarding focal person.

• Be available during sensitive well-being surveys and participation workshops, and follow up every disclosure of distress referred by MEAL Officers or facilitators.

• Ensure confidentiality, informed consent, age-appropriate assent and safeguarding principles in all interventions.

• Immediately report safeguarding concerns in accordance with SOS child safeguarding procedures.

Caregiver Coaching and Staff Well-being

• Coach SOS mothers, aunts, caregivers and case managers in day-to-day emotional support, recognising distress, and trauma-informed and positive parenting practice.

• Support Family Strengthening caregivers and families to promote caregiver well-being and healthy family relationships.

• Contribute to staff well-being support, including psychosocial support for staff and caregivers and safe ways to raise well-being concerns.

• Support MHPSS orientation and refresher sessions for staff and caregivers delivered with the specialised external mental-health provider.

Child and Youth Participation in MHPSS

• Co-design MHPSS activities with children and young people through participatory sessions on what mental health and psychosocial support means to them, which activities they want and how they prefer to seek help.

• Work with the Director - Youth Development, the location participation focal person and youth councils, and contribute to 'you said, we did' feedback to children.

• Use child-friendly, age-appropriate and accessible methods, including for younger children and children with disabilities.

• Support awareness activities that reduce mental health stigma among children, young people, caregivers and families.

Documentation, Monitoring and Learning

• Maintain confidential case records, session attendance and referral and follow-up data in line with SOS data protection and child safeguarding standards.

• Share anonymised MHPSS trends with the MEAL Officers and present them in the quarterly learning sessions so that care practice is adjusted.

• Contribute data on the emotional well-being dimension of the Child and Young Person Wellbeing Framework, and to monthly, quarterly and CVW reports.

• Document lessons learned and good practices from the MHPSS system.

Coordination and Capacity Building

• Work closely with the Coordinator - MHPSS, the location Programme Manager, case managers, caregivers, MEAL Officers and the child safeguarding focal person.

• Apply the tools and referral pathways tested in the Khulna MHPSS project and coordinate with the Khulna MHPSS team to avoid duplication of activities.

• Coordinate with local child protection authorities, schools and service providers to strengthen referral pathways.

• Participate in MHPSS training, clinical supervision and review meetings.

• Salary: Gross monthly salary will be BDT 33,100.00 (CTC BDT 45,000)

• Other Benefits: Complimentary Lunch, Contributory Provident Fund (15% + 15%), Gratuity, Festival Bonus, Insurance