This position is open on a rolling basis and will be filled upon the availability of a suitable candidate.

Context

Relief International (RI) is an international non-profit organization that partners with communities impacted by climate change and disaster to save lives, build greater resilience and promote long-term health and wellbeing.

Our team of more than 7,000 staff and local volunteers work in 15 countries across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, providing Health and Nutrition, WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene), Education and Livelihoods programming that creates the foundation for community resilience.

We do this by working with local actors to develop safe and inclusive local programming that is evidence based, conflict sensitive, climate smart, and reaches those in need.

Relief International is an alliance of four organizations with one shared mission, comprised of Relief International, Inc., Relief International-France, Relief International-UK and Relief International-Europe, which operate under a one-team concept under a single senior leadership team.

In Pakistan, RI works with government institutions, communities, local organizations and humanitarian partners to deliver safe, inclusive and accountable programs across protection, mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS), education, health, livelihoods and WASH, including programming in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. 

Job Profile

The Wellbeing Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Assistant supports safe, welcoming and accessible services at the assigned RISE wellbeing center and during approved community or home-based activities. Under the Wellbeing Centre MHPSS Officer, the Assistant provides practical support, Psychological First Aid (PFA) after training, activity preparation and confidential service navigation. The role helps participants access support matched to assessed needs while maintaining clear boundaries: diagnosis, independent counselling, clinical assessment and treatment decisions remain with qualified practitioners.

Key responsibilities

Context background

The RISE project provides community-based and layered mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS). Services promote wellbeing, coping, daily functioning and earlier, safer help-seeking through outreach, wellbeing centers, mobile clinics, home-based support, hotline services and referrals. Access is voluntary and based on assessed vulnerability and approved eligibility criteria. The role supports routine preparedness and approved emergency material assistance where applicable.

A. Welcoming, Accessible and Confidential Services

• Welcome participants respectfully, explain available services and feedback channels, and support appointments and orderly reception without asking people to describe sensitive concerns in public areas.
• Support accessible participation for women and girls, persons with specific needs, female-headed households and people experiencing psychosocial distress; notify the Officer about barriers requiring reasonable adjustments.
• Explain voluntary participation and confidentiality in understandable language; support consent procedures and child assent and caregiver consent where required by approved procedures.
• Prepare private and appropriate spaces, accessible materials and basic activity supplies; identify environmental, accessibility or safeguarding concerns before sessions begin.

B. Practical Psychosocial and Activity Support

• Provide PFA and basic practical support only after approved training and within demonstrated competence, using respectful listening, clear information and connection to qualified support.
• Assist the Officer with structured group, caregiver, adolescent and community wellbeing activities; follow agreed session plans and avoid requiring participants to recount traumatic experiences.
• Support approved outreach and inclusive home-based visits with the responsible Officer, agreed consent and safety arrangements, maintaining professional boundaries and culturally appropriate conduct.
• Do not diagnose, provide independent counselling, prescribe or advise on medicines, administer clinical outcome tools independently, or make treatment, discharge or clinical closure decisions.

C. Service Navigation and Immediate Escalation

• Help participants understand appointment arrangements and consent-based referrals approved by qualified staff; communicate practical details and available accessibility support without promising services outside RI control.
• Recognize warning signs addressed in training and promptly notify the Officer or designated clinical focal point of severe distress, immediate safety concerns or a need for urgent assessment.
• Follow the approved escalation pathway and the qualified provider’s direction in urgent situations; use emergency contacts and practical safety arrangements without attempting to manage clinical crises alone.
• Assist with safe follow-up through agreed contact methods, recording only the minimum appointment or referral status needed; escalating missed appointments or access barriers for the Officer’s review.

D. Records, Accountability and Safeguarding

• Maintain accurate attendance, appointment, activity and supply records using approved tools and coded identifiers; distinguish unique participants from repeat service contacts and submit records on time.
• Restrict access to participant information and follow secure storage and transfer procedures; do not place clinical notes or sensitive safeguarding details in general attendance lists or routine reports.
• Explain accessible feedback options, relay routine concerns to the responsible colleague, and report safeguarding allegations promptly through designated channels without investigating or seeking unnecessary details.
• Support independent MEAL checks and voluntary participant feedback; never make services conditional on surveys, photographs, public disclosure or participation in another activity.

E. Teamwork, Quality and Professional Conduct

• Participate in supervision, refresher training and team reviews; seek guidance when tasks exceed competence and use feedback to improve respectful service delivery.
• Maintain professional boundaries, follow RI safeguarding and prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse requirements, and report suspected data breaches or misconduct through approved channels.
• Help monitor center readiness and supplies, report shortages or damage, and follow field travel, infection prevention and security procedures relevant to assigned activities.
• Provide brief activity updates and undertake other duties assigned by the supervisor that match the role and competence; SO-4 assignments require donor-approved activation and direction from the supervisor.

F. Professional conduct and teamwork

• Uphold RI’s Code of Conduct and prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment requirements; report concerns promptly through designated channels.
• Participate in staff wellbeing and learning activities, follow security procedures and perform assigned duties within professional competence.

5.     Qualifications

Essential Criteria

• Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Social Work, Sociology, Public Health or a relevant social or health discipline.
• At least two years of relevant community, psychosocial, health or protection programme experience, including direct and respectful engagement with vulnerable participants.
• Ability to complete approved PFA and safeguarding training and demonstrate the practical competencies required before providing support.
• Clear communication in Pashto, Urdu and a language commonly used in the assigned district; basic English reading and reporting ability.
• Accurate record keeping, basic computer skills, sound confidentiality practices and willingness to undertake approved district travel.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience supporting wellbeing centers, community groups, adolescents, caregivers or persons with disabilities.
• Prior PFA training, familiarity with referral procedures and experience using approved digital attendance or service-tracking tools.

Behavior and Conduct

• Maintain the highest standards of behavior inside and outside work and uphold RI's Code of Conduct, safeguarding policies and humanitarian principles.
• Model ethical leadership and create an environment in which staff and communities can raise concerns safely and without retaliation.
• Ensure that personal actions and those of managed teams do not compromise the safety, dignity, rights or confidentiality of staff, partners or communities.
• Report and respond to concerns promptly through the appropriate RI channels.

RI Values

Guided by the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence, as well as Do No Harm, Relief International values:

• Integrity
• Adaptability
• Collaboration
• Inclusivity
• Sustainability

Equal Opportunity

Applications are welcomed from all qualified candidates. Relief International is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion, and female candidates are especially encouraged to apply.