Psychologist

Background/IRC Summary:

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises, helping people survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC provides lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. Operating in over 40 countries and 20 U.S. cities, the IRC restores safety, dignity, and hope to millions of displaced individuals, leading the way from harm to home.

In Pakistan, the IRC has been working for over 40 years, delivering large-scale, complex programs in health, education, protection, environmental health, and livelihoods to displaced, impoverished, and disaster-affected communities. IRC collaborates with local governments and non-governmental organizations across Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), and the newly merged districts of KP, formerly known as Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).

Job Overview:

The Integrated Services for communities in Pakistan project aim to enhance the safety, dignity, and well-being of Afghan refugees and host communities in two districts of KP, Haripur and Nowshera. It focuses on multi-sectoral integrated program delivery providing quality protection, GBV, SRH, and MHPSS services, alongside climate-resilient, livelihoods, youth engagement, and social cohesion initiatives. The project adopts a participatory, inclusive approach to address vulnerabilities and promote sustainable development. The Psychologist will lead the implementation of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support activities, aligned with the project’s goals. Key responsibilities include providing Psychological First Aid, conducting mental health awareness campaigns, training health facility staff, and establishing effective referral pathways. This role prioritizes culturally sensitive interventions to address the psychosocial needs of vulnerable individuals and communities. Additionally, the Psychologist will deliver MHPSS activities for caregivers and parents, contributing to the overall well being and resilience of target populations.

Major Responsibilities:

• Design, plan, and implement structured MHPSS interventions tailored to the needs of target populations.
• Facilitate psychosocial support sessions for individuals, families, and groups to promote emotional wellbeing and resilience.
• Deliver Psychological First Aid training for health facility staff and community workers to enhance emergency response capacity.
• Develop and implement mental health awareness campaigns to promote understanding and reduce stigma.
• Contribute to project’s awareness campaign and messaging on the importance of MHPSS to help deliver MHPSS and integrated health services.
• Advocate for mental health promotion through engagement with community leaders and stakeholders.
• Establish and maintain referral pathways to ensure timely access to specialized mental health care.
• Coordinate with protection teams, healthcare providers, and stakeholders to deliver integrated and sustainable MHPSS services.
• Monitor, review, and document the impact of interventions to ensure continuous learning and improvement.
• Prepare detailed progress and impact reports for internal and external stakeholders.
• Mentor and supervise staff to build capacity in delivering high quality MHPSS services in the integrated services project.

Key Working Relationships:

• Position Reports to: District Manager(Direct) Project manager (Operationally)
• Position closely coordinates with: Health, Education & Protection Teams
• Position Directly Supervises: None

Job Requirements:

Education:

Master’s degree in psychology.

Work Experience:

• Minimum 3-5 years of experience implementing MHPSS programs, case management, and counseling services.
• Experience working directly with women, girls, and children in field settings.

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

• Strong knowledge of designing, developing, implementing, and evaluating GBV, MHPSS, and protection programs.
• In depth understanding of MHPSS core principles, GBV guiding principles, counseling, gender issues in Baluchistan and KP, protection and child protection risks.
• Excellent report writing, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Experience in case management and providing individualized support to high-risk individuals.

Language Skills:

Proficiency in spoken and written English, Urdu, and local languages.

IRC Core Values and Commitments:

The IRC and its employees must adhere to the values outlined in the IRC Way: Integrity, Service, Equality, and Accountability. These principles guide the organization’s policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti-Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, Anti-Retaliation, and Combating Trafficking in Persons.

IRC is committed to ensuring that staff are equipped to uphold the Child Safeguarding Policy and actively practice client responsiveness and accountability. Staff must solicit, listen to, and respond to feedback with sensitivity and maturity, adapting behavior or actions as needed.

IRC is dedicated to gender equality as a core principle in its operations and programs. This commitment is reflected in its policies, procedures, and actions.

Special Notes:

Level of interaction with children: Less direct contact.

Women, minorities, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.