National Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Specialist

External Vacancy Announcement – National MHPSS Specialist (Mogadishu, Somalia)

SOS Children’s Villages Somalia is a member of the global SOS Children’s Villages federation, operating in more than 130 countries and territories worldwide. Since 1985, SOS Children’s Villages Somalia has been supporting children, young people, and families in situations of vulnerability, ensuring that children without parental care or at risk of losing it, grow up with the care, protection, and support they need to thrive.

The organization works to strengthen families and communities to prevent separation, while also providing alternative care solutions aligned with the United Nations Guidelines for the Alternative Care of Children. SOS Children’s Villages promotes family-based and family-like care approaches, ensuring that the best interests of the child remain central to all interventions.

Programmes are implemented across key thematic areas including alternative care, family strengthening, youth empowerment, education, health, child protection and lead cluster coordination in close collaboration with communities, government authorities, and partners.

SOS Children’s Villages Somalia upholds a strict zero-tolerance policy towards child abuse, exploitation, and misconduct and is fully committed to safeguarding children and young people in all its operations.

SOS Children’s Villages Somalia currently operates in Banadir Region (Heliwa, Wadajir, Dharkenley, Kahda, Afgoye corridor and Daynile districts), Southwest State (Baidoa, Buurhakaba, Qansaxdhere, Barawe and Hudur), and Hirshabelle State (Jowhar,Adale and Balcad).

SOS Children’s Villages invites applications from suitable qualified and interested candidates who fulfill the eligibility criteria for the position below.

Position Details

• Position Title: National Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Specialist
• Location: Mogadishu, Somalia (with frequent travel to project locations)
• Reporting To: National Programme Director
• Position Type: National Position
• Contract Type: Fixed term (National Contract)
• Contract Duration: [e.g., 12 months, renewable based on performance and funding availability]
•  

·         Position title:                 HMIS Coordinator

·         Reporting to:                 Head of MEAL.

·         Duty station :                 Mogadishu.        

·         JE Grade :                   (JE Grade – 3A), (Birches Grade – BG5)

·         Contract type:            Fixed term/Open-ended/Permanent

Working Conditions

The position is based in Mogadishu, Somalia, and requires frequent travel to field locations across SOS Children’s Villages operational areas. The role may involve working in remote and challenging environments with limited infrastructure and requires a high level of adaptability, flexibility, and resilience.

Job Summary

The National Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Specialist will provide overall technical leadership, strategic direction, and quality assurance for the design, implementation, and integration of MHPSS interventions across SOS Children’s Villages Somalia programmes.

The role holder will be responsible for the provision of both structured and non-structured MHPSS services to SOS programme participants, including children, young people, caregivers, and families. This will include the delivery of structured counselling, psychosocial support, guidance, and capacity-building interventions for individuals who have experienced trauma, adversity, or psychosocial distress, requiring a combination of clinical and non-clinical MHPSS approaches.

The postholder will play a central role in monitoring and responding to the psychosocial wellbeing of children and young people under the direct care of SOS Children’s Villages Somalia, as well as those supported through partner-led programmes, ensuring timely identification of needs and appropriate referral and follow-up mechanisms.

The role holder will support both humanitarian and development programming, ensuring that MHPSS is systematically integrated across all sectors of programming. The Specialist will also lead and contribute to the design and development of new MHPSS initiatives and programmes, informed by assessments, field evidence, and the evolving needs of key operational areas within SOS Children’s Villages Somalia.

The position holder will work under the direct supervision of the national programme director, while maintaining close collaboration with the national alternative care Coordinator and the humanitarian director. The role forms part of the national programme management Team, contributing to strategic planning, programme development, technical oversight, and inter-agency coordination.

The specialist will ensure that all MHPSS interventions are fully aligned with internationally recognized standards, including the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) guidelines on MHPSS in Emergency Settings and the World Health Organization Mental Health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP) intervention guide, ensuring evidence-based, ethical, and contextually appropriate service delivery across all programme areas.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

1. Strategic Leadership and Programme Development

v  Lead the development and implementation of a comprehensive national MHPSS strategy aligned with organizational priorities and international standards.

v  Ensure systematic integration of MHPSS across all programme sectors including child protection, alternative care, health, and education.

v  Provide technical leadership in programme design, proposal development, and donor engagement processes.

v  Conduct and guide needs assessments to identify emerging MHPSS priorities and inform programme design.

v  Promote innovative, contextually appropriate, and scalable MHPSS interventions.

2. Technical Oversight and Quality Assurance

v  Develop, review, and standardize MHPSS tools, guidelines, and standard operating procedures (SOPs).

v  Ensure all MHPSS interventions meet international quality standards and are culturally appropriate.

v  Lead regular programme quality reviews, technical audits, and continuous improvement processes.

v  Establish quality assurance mechanisms to monitor effectiveness and adherence to best practices.

v  Provide technical guidance to ensure ethical and safe delivery of services.

3. Clinical Supervision and Mental Health Case Management

v  Provide specialized clinical supervision to psychologists, social workers, and frontline staff.

v  Strengthen mental health case management systems integrated within child protection frameworks.

v  Support identification, assessment, referral, and follow-up of individuals with mental health conditions.

v  Provide technical support for complex and high-risk cases requiring multidisciplinary interventions.

v  Ensure confidentiality, informed consent, and ethical standards in all case management processes.

4. Capacity Building and Workforce Development

v  Conduct training needs assessments and develop comprehensive capacity-building plans.

v  Deliver training programmes on Psychological First Aid (PFA), psychosocial support, and mhGAP interventions.

v  Facilitate Training of Trainers (ToT) to scale up MHPSS capacity across programmes.

v  Establish ongoing mentoring, coaching, and supervision systems for staff and partners.

v  Strengthen the technical capacity of implementing partners and community-based workers.

5. Coordination, Representation, and Advocacy

v  Represent SOS Children’s Villages in national and sub-national MHPSS, health, and child protection coordination forums.

v  Actively participate in technical working groups and inter-agency coordination mechanisms.

v  Strengthen collaboration with government institutions, UN agencies, NGOs, and other stakeholders.

v  Advocate for the integration and prioritization of MHPSS within humanitarian and development responses.

v  Contribute to policy dialogue and sector-wide technical discussions.

6. Research, Learning, and Innovation

v  Lead and support MHPSS-related assessments, research, and evidence generation initiatives.

v  Document best practices, case studies, and lessons learned from programme implementation.

v  Promote knowledge sharing and learning within the organization and with external stakeholders.

v  Introduce innovative approaches and tools adapted to the Somalia context.

v  Contribute to the development of technical resources and publications.

7. Caregiver, Family, and Community Engagement

v  Strengthen integration of MHPSS into family strengthening and alternative care programmes.

v  Support caregivers, foster parents, and kinship care providers with psychosocial skills and guidance.

v  Promote community-based MHPSS interventions that enhance resilience and social cohesion.

v  Facilitate community awareness and engagement activities related to mental health and wellbeing.

v  Encourage inclusive and participatory approaches in programme implementation.

8. Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Reporting

v  Develop and implement MHPSS monitoring and evaluation frameworks and indicators.

v  Ensure accurate and confidential documentation of case management and programme data.

v  Maintain and oversee databases such as PDB2 and other reporting systems.

v  Contribute to high-quality donor and internal reports, including analysis and evidence of impact.

v  Use data and feedback to inform programme improvements and decision-making.

9. Cross-Cutting Responsibilities

v  Ensure integration of gender, age, and disability inclusion (GAD) in all MHPSS interventions

v  Promote Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP) and community feedback mechanisms

v  Ensure conflict-sensitive and culturally appropriate programming approaches

10. Child Safeguarding and Risk Management

v  Promote and uphold SOS Children’s Villages Child Safeguarding Policy across all programmes.

v  Identify, assess, and mitigate risks related to child protection within MHPSS programming.

v  Ensure timely and appropriate reporting and response to safeguarding concerns.

v  Strengthen safeguarding awareness among staff, caregivers, and communities.

v  Ensure safe, ethical, and child-centered programming approaches.

Qualifications and Experience

• Advanced degree in Psychology, Psychiatry, or a related field
• Minimum of 5+ years of progressively responsible experience, including at least 2 years in a senior or technical leadership role in MHPSS programming preferably in humanitarian settings
• Proven experience in humanitarian or fragile contexts is highly desirable
• Demonstrated experience in clinical supervision and capacity building
• Strong knowledge of IASC MHPSS Guidelines and WHO mhGAP Intervention Guide
• Experience integrating MHPSS into multi-sectoral programmes
• Experience in alternative care, kinship care, or foster care is an added advantage
• Previous NGO/INGO experience is preferred
• Fluency in English (written and spoken) is required
• Knowledge of Somali language is a strong asset

Core Competencies

• Strong technical expertise in MHPSS
• Strategic thinking and leadership
• Excellent coordination and communication skills
• Ability to work in complex and high-pressure environments
• High level of integrity and professionalism
• Extensive experience in proposal writing and project management.
• Ability to advocate project development

Safeguarding Commitment

SOS Children’s Villages is committed to safeguarding children and young people. All staff are expected to uphold the organization’s safeguarding policies and ensure that children are protected from all forms of harm, abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

Application Procedure

Interested candidates should submit:

• A detailed CV
• A cover letter
• Scanned copies of academic qualifications and professional certificates
• 3 referees with full detailed information indicating telephone numbers

Deadline: 13th May -2026

Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.