Psychosocial Support Expert-Subject to Funding Availability Full Time NEW

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is a leading humanitarian and development organization working in more than 40 countries to help people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster, including climate crisis, to survive, recover and gain control of their future.

Present in Somalia in since the 1980s, the IRC implements humanitarian and development programming across various regions in Somalia in sectors such as WASH, health, nutrition, protection and women’s empowerment. The IRC currently has headquarters in Mogadishu and field presence in Garowe, Galkacyo, Dhusamareb and Baidoa.

JOB AND PROJECT OVERVIEW

The IRC is seeking a qualified Psychosocial Support Expert to support the implementation of a project aimed at ensuring that GBV services are effectively integrated into the education system in Somalia.

SCOPE OF WORK: The Psychosocial Support Expert will be responsible for ensuring that child, adolescent and adult survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) and child abuse—including children and adolescents—and other vulnerable populations receive high-quality, trauma-informed psychosocial support (PSS) services. This role includes designing and implementing PSS interventions, providing technical guidance, and building the capacity of frontline responders, health workers, and community networks to deliver safe, child-friendly care to survivors.

The Psychosocial Support Expert will collaborate closely with community focal points, child protection actors, education personnel, and service providers to ensure a coordinated and child and survivor-centered Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) response that addresses the unique needs of child and adolescent survivors.

The position will be based in Mogadishu, with frequent travel to project sites. The Psychosocial Support Expert will report to the GBV Program Manager.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead the design, implementation, and monitoring of inclusive and trauma-informed psychosocial support services, ensuring the integration of child- and adolescent-friendly approaches.
• Provide direct psychosocial support and counseling to survivors of GBV/child abuse, including children and youth, using age-appropriate communication and care techniques.
• Develop and deliver tailored capacity-building programs for case workers, health staff, education actors, and community volunteers on MHPSS and child-focused support strategies.
• Strengthen and expand community-based support structures such as safe spaces, peer groups, and child-friendly environments to provide emotional and social support to survivors.
• Integrate MHPSS into GBV and CP case management and referral pathways, ensuring adult and child survivors receive comprehensive care.
• Collaborate with school counselors and social workers to ensure that children, adolescents and adults who experience GBV have access to mental health services.
• Conduct regular needs assessments to identify mental health gaps among survivors, with a focus on children and adolescents, and adjust services accordingly.
• Advocate for improved mental health and psychosocial policies and resource allocation, with a focus on protecting the wellbeing of child survivors in both educational and protection systems.
• Ensure all services adhere to ethical principles, particularly confidentiality, informed consent, and child safeguarding standards.
• Monitor program quality and effectiveness using survivor-centered indicators and adapt interventions to promote continuous learning and improvement.
• Ensure full compliance with IRC policies, donor regulations, and international standards in the implementation of MHPSS activities.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in clinical psychology, Social Work, Mental Health, Counseling, or a related field.
• Minimum 5 years of professional experience in providing psychosocial support or supportive counseling to GBV and child abuse survivors.
• Proven experience in delivering trauma-informed care, psychological first aid (PFA), and counseling for GBV and child abuse survivors.
• In-depth understanding of the ethical principles governing GBV and CP work, including confidentiality, survivor safety, best interests of the child, do no harm and trauma-informed care.
• Experience in training and mentoring multidisciplinary teams on GBV and child protection-related PSS.
• Knowledge of GBV and Child protection case management, child protection systems, protection frameworks, and humanitarian response mechanisms.
• Experience working with government agencies, NGOs, and local service providers to strengthen GBV and CP referral pathways.
• Excellent interpersonal and leadership skills, with experience in stakeholder engagement and community mobilization.
• Ability to work in complex emergency settings and manage multiple stakeholders.
• Excellent command of Somali and English (spoken and written).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) for documentation and reporting.

Tagged as: International Rescue Committee, Somalia