The Organization for Humanitarian Assistance (OHA) is a non-profit, non-governmental, and non-political organization based in Afghanistan, founded on January 12, 1994. As a cooperative partner of the United Nations and various international organizations, OHA focuses on implementing developmental and humanitarian projects primarily in the southern region of Afghanistan.

OHA is dedicated to advancing sustainable development goals (SDGs) while upholding key humanitarian principles, including participation, transparency, and accountability. Its mission is to alleviate suffering, raise awareness, and empower individuals to achieve self-employment and self-sufficiency at the village, district, and city levels. This approach aims to enhance both rural and urban economies and livelihoods through collaboration with donors and local communities.

The organization operates in several key areas, including:

• Irrigation: Developing canals, culverts, bridges, and flood protection systems.
• Education: Establishing schools, promoting literacy, and conducting awareness campaigns.
• Road Infrastructure: Constructing and enhancing road networks.
• Capacity Building: Providing management training and vocational education.
• Drinking Water: Drilling wells and expanding water supply systems.
• Health Systems: Building healthcare infrastructure.
• Humanitarian Assistance: Offering support during both natural and man-made disasters.

Through these initiatives, OHA works to foster community resilience and improve the overall quality of life for individuals across Afghanistan.

The Health Specialist plays a critical role in overseeing the health, psychosocial, and wellbeing components of the Women Empowerment Hubs (WEHs). This includes planning and delivering health awareness sessions, providing psychosocial first aid support, linking women to appropriate health services, coordinating with health providers, and ensuring that WEHs function as safe, supportive spaces for women and girls. The Specialist ensures that all health-related activities align with UN Women and OHA guidelines, particularly in the areas of gender-sensitive health service delivery and women’s wellbeing.

2. Duties and Responsibilities:-

• Plan and deliver health education sessions for women and girls on topics such as hygiene, nutrition, maternal health, reproductive health (as permitted by local norms), mental health, stress management, and general wellbeing.
• Develop culturally appropriate health information materials that women can easily understand and use.
• Coordinate with trainers and WEH Coordinators to integrate health topics across empowerment programs.
• Support capacity-building of WEH staff on basic health topics, first aid, and psychosocial support.

• Provide basic psychosocial support (PSS), emotional first aid, and referrals for women experiencing stress, trauma, or protection concerns.
• Identify women needing specialized mental health or psychosocial services and link them with available local service providers.
• Create a supportive, confidential, and safe environment for women to discuss concerns.
• Maintain awareness of gendered health risks, stressors, and barriers affecting women in Kandahar.

• Establish and maintain referral pathways with local health facilities, psychosocial support providers, and protection actors.
• Facilitate access to external health services in collaboration with community health workers and clinics.
• Track and follow up on referral outcomes while ensuring confidentiality and consent.
• Build and maintain relationships with provincial health authorities, NGOs, and health actors.

• Maintain detailed records of health awareness sessions, referrals, attendance, and participant feedback.
• Support the MEAL team in collecting data on health-related outcomes and beneficiary satisfaction.
• Prepare weekly, monthly, and quarterly reports on health activities and trends observed among participants.
• Document success stories, challenges, and recommendations for improving women’s health and wellbeing programming.

• Ensure the WEHs function as safe, supportive, and dignified spaces for women and girls.
• Promote safeguarding principles, confidentiality, and protection standards in all health interactions.
• Ensure women understand available complaints, feedback, and support mechanisms.
• Report any safeguarding or protection concerns immediately according to OHA policy.

• Coordinate closely with WEH Coordinators, trainers, mobilizers, and community elders.
• Participate in community mobilization activities to promote health awareness and women’s wellbeing.
• Support community dialogues, awareness campaigns, and health outreach events.

Required Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, Nursing, Medicine, Psychology, Midwifery, or a related health/mental health field.
• Advanced training in psychosocial support, mental health, or community health is an asset.

Experience

• Minimum 3–5 years of experience in public health, psychosocial support, community health programming, or women’s health services.
• Experience working with women and girls in humanitarian or development settings is highly preferred.
• Previous experience with UN agencies, INGOs, or NGOs is an advantage.
• Knowledge of local health systems and community health dynamics in Kandahar.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong knowledge of public health practices, mental health basics, and psychosocial support approaches.
• Ability to deliver training, awareness sessions, and group discussions effectively.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with sensitivity to cultural norms.
• Strong record-keeping, reporting, and analytical skills.
• Ability to identify health concerns and manage referrals safely and appropriately.
• Fluency in Pashto is required; Dari is an advantage; basic English preferred.
• Computer literacy (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

4. Key Attributes

• Respectful, compassionate, and gender-sensitive approach.
• High level of integrity, confidentiality, and professionalism.
• Cultural sensitivity and ability to work respectfully with conservative communities.
• Strong empathy and ability to support vulnerable women appropriately.
• Able to work independently, manage priorities, and adapt to changing needs.

5. Working Conditions

• Primarily based in the WEHs in Kandahar Province with occasional field visits.
• Direct interaction with women participants, trainers, health providers, and community members.
• Must adhere to OHA safety and security protocols.
• Requires flexibility, cultural sensitivity, and ability to maintain confidentiality.

To apply for this position, please use OHA's online recruitment system. You can access the application by clicking the link below or by copying the link into a new tab and following the provided instructions to complete your application.

Link:  http://69.197.177.211/Vacancy/VacancyList_Description?_id=16