Save The Children – Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Supervisor (2026)

Global Career Opportunity in Humanitarian and Child Protection Programming.

Introduction

In today’s complex humanitarian and development landscape, mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) has become a critical pillar in promoting resilience, wellbeing, and long-term recovery for vulnerable populations. Children, adolescents, and caregivers affected by conflict, displacement, climate-related emergencies, poverty, and social instability face heightened risks to their mental and emotional wellbeing. Addressing these needs requires skilled professionals with strong technical expertise, ethical standards, and a deep commitment to child protection and humanitarian principles.

Save the Children International (SCI) is currently seeking a qualified and dedicated Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Supervisor to strengthen its global programming and partner-led interventions. This full-time, permanent role is positioned within the Programme, Development, and Quality (PDQ) function and plays a vital role in ensuring that high-quality, evidence-based, and child-centered MHPSS services are delivered consistently across supported locations.

This opportunity is ideal for professionals who are passionate about mental health, psychosocial wellbeing, humanitarian response, capacity building, and partnership development. The successful candidate will contribute to sustainable, inclusive, and impactful programmes that support children, adolescents, caregivers, and communities in challenging contexts worldwide.

Position Overview

Job Title: Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Supervisor
Employment Type: Permanent, Full-Time
Department: Programme, Development and Quality
Posting Date: 9 February 2026
Closing Date: 16 February 2026 (11:28 UTC)
Location: Global / Worldwide

The Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Supervisor operates under the strategic and technical guidance of the Acting Child Protection Technical Advisor. The position focuses on strengthening partner-led MHPSS programming through supervision, training, coaching, programme design, and quality assurance.

Approximately 70 percent of the role is dedicated to providing direct technical support and capacity strengthening to partner staff and facilitators. The remaining 30 percent is devoted to programme development, needs assessments, proposal writing, and technical contributions to funding applications.

During major humanitarian emergencies, the role holder is expected to demonstrate flexibility and readiness to support emergency response operations beyond standard working arrangements.

Role Purpose and Strategic Importance

The primary purpose of the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Supervisor is to ensure that MHPSS interventions implemented by partner organizations meet international standards, ethical guidelines, and Save the Children’s quality benchmarks.

The role supports the development of strong, competent, and resilient partner teams capable of delivering culturally appropriate, inclusive, and trauma-informed services to children, adolescents, and caregivers. Through structured supervision, coaching, and technical leadership, the supervisor strengthens programme effectiveness, accountability, and sustainability.

This position also contributes to organizational learning, evidence generation, and continuous improvement by documenting best practices, lessons learned, and programmatic innovations in MHPSS programming.

Reporting Structure and Organizational Scope

Reporting Line

The Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Supervisor reports directly to the Acting Child Protection Technical Advisor within the Programme, Development, and Quality team.

Supervisory Responsibilities

While the position does not initially include formal line management responsibilities, it provides technical oversight and guidance to:

Partner MHPSS Officers
Community facilitators
Field-based MHPSS staff
Community mobilizers

This technical supervision ensures that partners maintain high professional standards and adhere to safeguarding and ethical requirements.

Budget Responsibility

The role does not hold direct budget management authority. However, it contributes to the design, monitoring, and review of budgets related to MHPSS components within programmes and proposals.

Key Areas of Accountability

1. Partner Support, Supervision, and Capacity Development (Approximately 70%)

A core responsibility of the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Supervisor is to strengthen the technical capacity and wellbeing of partner staff and facilitators.

Key responsibilities include:

Structured Supervision and Coaching

Deliver regular individual and group supervision sessions
Facilitate case discussions and reflective practice
Provide skills-based coaching
Promote emotional wellbeing and stress management

Programme Implementation Support

Support partners in delivering evidence-based MHPSS interventions
Guide implementation of structured and community-based models such as:
- EASE
- HEART
- Safe Families
- PM+
- Climate and Me
- Home-Based MHPSS
Ensure alignment with inter-agency and organizational standards

Case Management and Care Planning

Support development of child-centered care plans
Promote risk assessment and safety planning
Ensure appropriate referrals for specialized mental health services
Monitor follow-up and continuity of care

Training and Professional Development

Design and deliver capacity-building workshops
Facilitate refresher trainings and mentoring
Provide on-the-job coaching
Strengthen competencies in:
- Psychological First Aid (PFA)
- Basic counselling skills
- Group facilitation
- Safe identification and referral
- Staff care and wellbeing

Referral Pathways and Specialized Care

Support partners to identify complex or severe cases
Strengthen referral mechanisms
Coordinate with health, protection, and social services
Ensure compliance with national and organizational protocols

Tool Development and Adaptation

Contribute to the development and localization of MHPSS tools
Support translation and contextualization
Promote culturally sensitive programming

Inclusion and Gender Sensitivity

Promote equitable access to services
Support inclusion of children with disabilities
Address gender-based vulnerabilities
Ensure safe participation of high-risk groups

Staff Wellbeing Promotion

Model healthy coping strategies
Promote self-care practices
Identify burnout risks
Escalate wellbeing concerns appropriately

2. Programme Quality, Standards, and Coordination

Ensuring programme quality and compliance with global standards is central to this role.

Responsibilities include:

Ensuring alignment with:
- IASC MHPSS Guidelines
- Save the Children global guidance
- Child Safeguarding Policy
Supporting rollout of quality benchmarks
Strengthening supervision systems
Promoting ethical record-keeping and data protection
Ensuring confidentiality and secure information storage
Coordinating with field teams to ensure:
- Safe and private service spaces
- Adequate travel arrangements
- Time allocation for supervision
- Operational safety measures
Advocating for operational resources that support effective MHPSS delivery

3. Needs Assessments, Programme Design, and Proposal Development (Approximately 30%)

The role contributes directly to programme development and resource mobilization.

Key functions include:

Designing and implementing needs assessments
Conducting situational analyses
Facilitating participatory consultations with:
- Children
- Adolescents
- Caregivers
- Teachers
- Community leaders
Supporting proposal development processes
Contributing to concept notes and logframes
Developing indicators and results frameworks
Supporting MEAL and Awards teams
Assisting with budget preparation for MHPSS components

This work ensures that programmes are evidence-based, contextually relevant, and aligned with donor requirements.

4. Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL)

Strong monitoring and learning systems are essential for effective MHPSS programming.

The supervisor will:

Support partners to use ethical and appropriate monitoring tools
Ensure consistent data collection
Promote use of:
- Attendance records
- Pre- and post-intervention assessments
- Wellbeing measurement tools
- Participant feedback mechanisms
Facilitate programme reflection sessions
Support adaptive management
Document case studies and success stories
Contribute to internal learning events
Participate in after-action reviews
Share best practices across programmes

5. Safeguarding, Accountability, and Ethical Practice

Safeguarding and ethical responsibility underpin all aspects of this role.

Key obligations include:

Ensuring compliance with:
- Child Safeguarding Policy
- Code of Conduct
- Data protection standards
- Informed consent procedures
Promoting safe one-to-one practices
Ensuring appropriate supervision structures
Upholding confidentiality
Supporting survivor-centered referral pathways
Promoting meaningful participation of children and caregivers
Applying Do No Harm principles
Demonstrating respect, dignity, and cultural sensitivity
Performing additional duties aligned with MHPSS and child protection objectives

Organizational Values and Professional Behaviours

Save the Children expects all staff to embody its core values in daily practice.

Accountability

Demonstrates responsibility for decisions and results
Manages resources effectively
Promotes performance standards among partners

Ambition

Sets challenging goals
Pursues professional development
Inspires others through vision and commitment

Collaboration

Builds strong working relationships
Values diversity and inclusion
Communicates openly and respectfully

Creativity

Encourages innovation
Adapts solutions to complex challenges
Embraces evidence-based experimentation

Integrity

Upholds transparency and honesty
Maintains ethical standards
Demonstrates professional credibility

Required Qualifications

Educational Background

University degree in psychology, social work, counselling, mental health, child development, or related field
Postgraduate training in clinical psychology, counselling psychology, psychotherapy, or child and adolescent psychology is highly desirable

Essential Experience and Skills

Candidates must demonstrate:

Minimum of 2–3 years’ experience in MHPSS programming
At least 2 years of experience in supervision, coaching, or training
Proven expertise in humanitarian or development contexts
Experience delivering community-based and structured interventions
Strong capacity-building and facilitation skills
Experience developing training materials
Practical knowledge of needs assessments and proposal development
Understanding of child protection and MHPSS standards
Familiarity with IASC Guidelines
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
Ability to work with diverse partners
Strong organizational and time-management skills
Willingness to travel frequently
Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and email

Desirable Experience and Competencies

Additional advantages include:

Experience working with local NGOs and community-based organizations
Knowledge of partnership principles
Experience in displacement or post-conflict settings
Familiarity with Save the Children technical frameworks
Experience in research or evaluation
Publication or documentation experience

Application Process

Interested candidates are required to submit:

A detailed cover letter
An up-to-date curriculum vitae (CV)
Current remuneration details
Salary expectations
APPLY ON THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE HERE.

All documents must be submitted as a single file.

Shortlisted candidates will undergo a rigorous selection process, including background and reference checks, in line with Save the Children’s safeguarding commitments.

YOU CAN CHECK OTHER OPPORTUNITIES HERE!

Commitment to Child Protection and Ethical Recruitment

Save the Children maintains zero tolerance for child abuse, exploitation, and misconduct. All recruitment processes reflect the organization’s commitment to safeguarding children and vulnerable populations.

The organization does not charge any fees at any stage of recruitment.

Why Join Save the Children?

Joining Save the Children means becoming part of a global movement dedicated to improving the lives of children and families.

Benefits include:

Purpose-driven work
International exposure
Professional development opportunities
Collaborative work environment
Contribution to sustainable development goals
Opportunity to influence global MHPSS practice

Conclusion

The Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Supervisor role represents a unique opportunity for qualified professionals to contribute to high-impact humanitarian and development programmes worldwide. By strengthening partner capacity, ensuring quality standards, and promoting ethical practice, the successful candidate will play a vital role in improving mental health and wellbeing outcomes for children, adolescents, and caregivers.

Professionals with strong technical expertise, leadership skills, and a commitment to child protection are encouraged to apply and become part of Save the Children’s mission to create lasting change.