Mental Health and Psychosocial Support -MHPSS Officer

Job Overview

JMERC is seeking a skilled Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Officer to join our Adolescent Resilience and Empowerment Programme (AREP) in Kampala. This role is critical in advancing mental wellbeing and psychosocial support for vulnerable adolescents across the region.

The successful candidate will lead the design and implementation of mental health interventions, ensuring they are culturally appropriate and evidence-based. You will work closely with communities, schools, and partners to foster resilience and emotional growth among youth.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and deliver age-appropriate mental health and psychosocial support interventions for adolescents in underserved communities.
• Train teachers, caregivers, and community workers on psychosocial first aid and emotional support techniques.
• Conduct regular needs assessments and monitor the impact of MHPSS activities using data-driven approaches.
• Collaborate with local health systems to refer severe mental health cases and ensure continuum of care.
• Develop educational materials and resources that promote social-emotional learning and mental health awareness.
• Facilitate support groups for adolescent girls, addressing trauma, gender-based violence, and SRHR-related stress.
• Ensure all programmes adhere to ethical standards, confidentiality, and child safeguarding protocols.
• Represent JMERC in inter-agency coordination meetings and contribute to sector-wide MHPSS strategies.

Qualifications & Experience

Essential

• A Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Social Work, Public Health, or a related field from a recognised Ugandan university.
• At least two years of hands-on experience in mental health, psychosocial support, or community-based interventions with adolescents.
• Strong knowledge of Uganda’s mental health landscape, child protection systems, and adolescent development frameworks.
• Proven ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities in fast-paced, resource-limited environments.
• Excellent communication skills in English and Luganda, with the ability to translate complex concepts for community audiences.

Desirable

• Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology, Counselling, or Public Health would be a significant advantage.
• Experience working with NGOs or international development agencies in the Busoga region or similar contexts.
• Familiarity with digital mental health tools and mobile-based intervention platforms.
• Training in trauma-informed care, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), or mindfulness-based stress reduction.

What the Role Offers

• Competitive monthly salary with performance-based bonuses linked to programme outcomes and community feedback.
• Comprehensive health insurance covering outpatient, inpatient, and mental health services for you and your immediate family.
• Monthly transport allowance and a fuel card to cover field visits across Kampala and surrounding districts.
• Free lunch provided at the office during working days, plus a stipend for fieldwork days.
• Professional development opportunities including training, workshops, and mentorship from senior mental health practitioners.
• Flexible working hours with remote work options one day per week, supporting work-life balance.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit a detailed CV, a cover letter explaining why you are the ideal candidate, and copies of relevant certificates. Please ensure your application highlights your experience with adolescent mental health and community engagement. Please apply now by clicking the link below.

About the Company

JMERC is a non-profit organisation founded in 2020 to support communities in the Busoga Region of Uganda. Our mission is to advance resilience and social-emotional learning for children and adolescents, especially in underserved and polycrisis-affected areas. We believe that learning environments must support not only academic success but also emotional wellbeing, adaptability, and life skills.

Our programmes are grounded in local context and ownership, using data and evidence to continuously adapt and strengthen delivery. We collaborate closely with teachers, school leaders, parents, and community actors to develop tools and resources that help children and adolescents learn, achieve, and thrive. Our core values of Hope, Collaboration, Dependability, and Audacity guide everything we do, ensuring that our work is both impactful and sustainable.

Through our flagship programme, the Adolescent Resilience and Empowerment Programme (AREP), we focus on enhancing adolescent girls’ resilience, wellbeing, agency, and informed SRHR decision-making. This is achieved through social-emotional learning, gender-transformative environments, and socio-economic empowerment initiatives. AREP currently operates two key initiatives: REASEL, which focuses on adolescent girls through social and emotional learning, and a complementary economic empowerment component that equips girls with vocational skills and financial literacy.

By joining JMERC, you will be part of a dynamic team that is transforming the lives of young people in Uganda. We are committed to fostering inclusive, safe, and supportive environments where every adolescent can reach their full potential. Our work is not just about programmes—it is about building a future where hope, collaboration, and courage drive lasting change in communities.

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