Over the past few years, Afghanistan has witnessed a relative improvement in security and stability across much of the country. This has allowed humanitarian actors like INTERSOS to maintain uninterrupted access and expand services in areas that were previously hard to reach. Despite this progress, the humanitarian situation remains critical, with millions of Afghans continuing to face acute vulnerabilities due to prolonged economic hardship, natural disasters, and limited access to essential services.

In 2025, more than half of the population is in need of humanitarian assistance, with food insecurity, child malnutrition, and displacement remaining key concerns. Natural disasters, such as floods and recent earthquakes, have further compounded the needs of already struggling communities.

INTERSOS continues to operate through a community-based approach with field bases in Kabul, Kandahar, and Zabul, delivering primary healthcare, nutrition, and protection services with a focus on women, children, and persons with disabilities. The organization enjoys strong community acceptance and collaborates closely with relevant national authorities, including maintaining the full participation of female staff in all activities.

While the operational environment is largely stable and conducive, funding shortfalls and systemic barriers such as restrictions on financial flows and administrative bottlenecks continue to impact the scope and scale of humanitarian response. Sustained support is crucial to ensure the continuity of life-saving services and to address the urgent needs of Afghanistan’s most vulnerable populations.

Under the direct supervision of the Project Officer and the technical supervision of the MHPSS Specialist (in case of absence, Program Protection Referent) , the PSS Team Leader will be primarily responsible for ensuring the overall implementation of activities to address mental health and psychosocial needs while meeting quality standards. The PSS Team Leader will directly supervise the day-to-day work of the PSS Workers / Social Workers and Psychologists working in their district(s). They will also provide weekly/monthly reports to the Program Protection Referent.

Reporting to:

Hierarchical: Project Officer

Functional: MHPSS Specialist (if not present, Program Protection Referent)

Tasks

• Direct supervision of PSS Workers and Psychologists;
• Conduct an initial assessment with new PSS Workers; prepare & implement a tailored induction plan including shadowing, observing and conducting role plays;
• Ensure adherence of PSS Workers and Psychologists to protection principles, code of conducts and internal SOPs;
• Conduct weekly case conferences to help Psychologists and PSS workers handle critical and difficult cases
• Review the work of the Psychologists and PSS / Social workers to ensure that the PSS needs of the community are addressed through our intervention
• Ensure Community Based PSS is delivered according to internal MHPSS guidelines
• Monitor timescales for response, decision-making and follow-up through the internal MHPSS Platform with support from the Protection Quality and Data Management Officer;
• Identify staff gaps and training needs when they arise and communicate them to the Protection Program Referent and MHPSS Specialist for his/her action;
• Coordinate with the Project Officer to lead all day-to-day MHPSS activities in the governorate;
• Ensure weekly activity plans are created and clearly displayed in PSS activity locations;
• Ensure the Referral Database is updated on a weekly basis and submitted to the Program Protection Referent;
• Write and submit weekly/monthly reports to the PO;
• Manage all requests for information/intervention from the PO;
• Ensure dissemination of clear and reliable information on service provision and other pre-selected key topics;
• Submit weekly and monthly activity plans, reports and recommendations;
• Represent the organization at general coordination working groups and clusters with donors, humanitarian actors and local authorities, when requested;
• Carry out all tasks respecting key protection principles including but not limited to: PSEA, do no harm, non-discrimination, confidentiality, accountability and need-to-know principles;
• Any other tasks assigned by the MHPSS Specialist / Protection Coordinator.
   
• Specific Duties:
• Plan and design the Community Based PSS activities in collaboration with the Specialists, the Program Protection Referent and all the team members, accordingly to INTERSOS guidelines on PSS activities.
• Ensure PSS workers have the appropriate resources necessary for conducting group activities
• Ensure all Community spaces - WGFS/ CFS are designed as per internal and international guidelines and collaborate with CBPO in the establishment of the same
• Ensure that the Guidance and advice provided by the MHPSS specialist and Protection Project Referent are followed by the team and provide feedback to them
• Ensure that the PSS needs of the community are properly assessed, mapped and analysed and work with the Program Protection Referent and MHPSS specialists to fine tune our intervention to address the needs
• Ensure all tools for assessment and measuring impact are used properly by the team
• Ensure the MHPSS Platform is updated on an ongoing basis; review entries and highlight any discrepancies to the Program Protection Referent or PO;
• Ensure the Referral Database is updated on a weekly basis and submitted to the Project Officer
• Ensure proper storage of sensitive data through a correct use of internal databases;
• Assist Project Officer in the planning and facilitation of the induction process for all newly recruited PSS Workers and Psychologists on protection principles, the case management process, the relevant SOPs and the data filing and storing procedures (and other relevant topics);
• Assist the Program Protection Referent in planning and delivering capacity building trainings for PSS Workers and Psychologists;
• Receive external and internal referrals in line with set criteria and allocate them amongst Psychologists/PSS workers; ensure that referring agencies receive timely feedback on actions taken, when necessary and appropriate in light of confidentiality requirements.

ducation

• University Degree in a related field (Social Work, Psychology, etc);

Professional Experience

• Minimum two years of relevant work experience (of which preferably one year in a supervisory role);
• Previous working experience with IDPs, refugees and/or returnees;
• Strong knowledge of psycho-social programming in the humanitarian context.

Professional Requirements

• Strong technical knowledge in protection and psycho-social support
• Computer literacy (Word, Excel, Power Point)

Personal Requirements

• Good leadership skills
• Confidentiality, respect and non-discriminatory attitude
• Strong planning and organizational skills
• Ability to train people, facilitate trainings and build participants’ knowledge and skills
• Good interpersonal and communication skills
• Good analytical and reporting skills
• Ability to show empathy
• Ability to work well under pressure

Languages

• Working knowledge in English (written and spoken) and Mission Working Language is essential

Respected Applicants, please visit the link below and fill in the required information.

https://forms.gle/qPGwtdedfjUQnGQX6

Please note that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted and called for a test/Interview.

Qualified People with Physical Disabilities and Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply