Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Specialist – Coalition Health Zambia

Company: Coalition Health Zambia (CHZ)
Location: Lusaka, Zambia
Employment Type: Consultancy
Job Category/Industry: Health, Public Health & Development
Application Deadline: Not specified

About the Organisation

Coalition Health Zambia (CHZ) is a Zambian organisation focused on improving health outcomes through health systems strengthening, technical assistance, service delivery, community engagement, capacity building, partnerships and innovation.

CHZ works with the Ministry of Health, development partners, civil society organisations, communities and other stakeholders to implement sustainable health interventions.

In partnership with the Ministry of Health and with support from UNICEF, CHZ is implementing a project focused on designing and implementing multimedia Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) interventions aimed at preventing non-communicable diseases and promoting mental health among adolescents and young people aged 10–29 years in Zambia.

The project will use youth-centred and culturally appropriate approaches to promote mental health awareness, reduce stigma, strengthen emotional well-being and encourage appropriate help-seeking.

About the Role

Coalition Health Zambia is seeking a Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Specialist Consultant to provide technical expertise throughout the project's SBC strategy, content development, capacity building, referral mechanisms, implementation and monitoring activities.

The consultant will work closely with the SBC Technical Lead Consultant and engage with government institutions, development partners, professional associations, health service providers, youth organisations and communities.

The role will help ensure that mental health interventions are technically sound, inclusive, ethical, age-appropriate and appropriately linked to available mental health and psychosocial support services.

Key Responsibilities

MHPSS Technical Guidance & Programme Design

• Provide technical guidance on integrating MHPSS into the SBC strategy and implementation plans.

• Support behavioural profiling and audience segmentation relating to mental health literacy, stigma, emotional well-being and help-seeking.

• Ensure interventions are age-appropriate, gender-responsive and disability-inclusive.

• Align programme approaches with relevant national and international MHPSS guidance.

• Advise on approaches suitable for adolescents and young people across different social, cultural and geographic contexts.

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Content Development & Youth Engagement

• Work with the SBC Technical Lead to develop, review and validate mental health-related multimedia messages and materials.

• Provide technical input on mental health awareness, stigma reduction, emotional regulation, stress management and appropriate help-seeking.

• Participate in youth consultations, co-creation, pre-testing and validation of communication materials.

• Support the development of culturally relevant and youth-friendly content for radio, digital media and community engagement platforms.

• Provide guidance on appropriate digital mental health tools, including relevant On My Mind content where applicable.

Stakeholder Engagement & Coordination

• Engage with the Ministry of Health, UNICEF, UNDP, WHO and the Zambia Paediatric Association (ZPA) on relevant technical and programme matters.

• Collaborate with mental health professionals, service providers, youth organisations, community-based organisations and community structures.

• Participate in relevant technical working groups, consultations and coordination meetings.

• Strengthen coordination between SBC activities, mental health promotion, referral services and existing health and community systems.

• Provide recommendations that support stakeholder ownership, sustainability and potential scale-up.

Capacity Building & Mentorship

• Provide technical input into MHPSS training and capacity-building activities.

• Support the development and review of training materials covering mental health awareness, Psychological First Aid, stigma reduction, safe communication and referral.

• Contribute to the orientation and capacity building of health workers, peer educators, community champions and volunteers.

• Promote safe, ethical and appropriate engagement with adolescents and young people experiencing mental health or psychosocial challenges.

Referral Pathways & Community Linkages

• Support the mapping and review of available mental health and psychosocial support services and referral mechanisms.

• Advise on linkages between SBC activities, early identification, referral, care and follow-up.

• Engage service providers, community leaders and youth representatives to strengthen access to mental health information and services.

• Ensure referral information is accurate, accessible, confidential and appropriate for adolescents and young people.

Monitoring, Learning & Safeguarding

• Provide technical input into MHPSS indicators, monitoring tools and data collection approaches.

• Support monitoring of mental health communication reach, knowledge, attitudes, stigma and help-seeking.

• Contribute to technical reports, lessons learned, programme documentation and recommendations for improvement.

• Ensure MHPSS activities comply with safeguarding, child protection, PSEA, confidentiality and ethical standards.

• Promote safe, inclusive and survivor-centred approaches when engaging with vulnerable populations.

Minimum Qualifications & Experience

Applicants should possess:

• A relevant degree, preferably at Master's level, in Psychology, Psychiatry, Psychiatric Nursing, Public Health, Mental Health or a related field.

• At least 7 years of relevant professional experience in mental health, MHPSS, adolescent and young people programming or public health.

• Experience in mental health promotion, psychosocial support, stigma reduction and community engagement.

• Experience developing or reviewing mental health communication, IEC or training materials.

• Knowledge of MHPSS standards, referral systems and integration of mental health into primary healthcare and community services.

• Experience in training, mentorship, facilitation and stakeholder coordination.

• Strong communication, interpersonal, analytical and report-writing skills.

• Knowledge of safeguarding, child protection, PSEA and ethical engagement with vulnerable populations.

• Experience working with government, development partners, professional associations or civil society organisations will be an advantage.

Technical Skills

• Mental health and psychosocial support programming.

• Mental health promotion and stigma reduction.

• Adolescent and youth-focused programming.

• Social and Behaviour Change communication.

• Development and review of health communication and IEC materials.

• Psychological First Aid and referral mechanisms.

• Monitoring, evaluation and learning.

• Stakeholder coordination and technical assistance.

• Safeguarding and ethical engagement.

• Strong analytical and report-writing capabilities.

Leadership & Behavioural Skills

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

• Ability to work collaboratively with government, development and community stakeholders.

• Strong facilitation and mentorship abilities.

• Cultural sensitivity and an inclusive approach to working with young people.

• Commitment to confidentiality and ethical practice.

• Ability to work independently while coordinating effectively with multidisciplinary teams.

• Strong attention to quality and technical accuracy.

Work Environment

This is a consultancy role involving collaboration with government institutions, development partners, health professionals, youth organisations, community structures and other stakeholders. The consultant will contribute to programme design, technical guidance, content development, capacity building, stakeholder coordination and monitoring activities.

Job Summary

Employer: Coalition Health Zambia (CHZ)
Position: Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Specialist
Location: Lusaka, Zambia
Employment Type: Consultancy
Industry: Health, Public Health & Development
Minimum Qualification: Relevant degree, preferably Master's level
Experience: At least 7 years of relevant professional experience