Position: MHPSS & Child Protection Officer, IsraAID Jamaica Response in Kingston

Contract duration: 3 months (with option to extend)

Overview

Following the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa, IsraAID has deployed an emergency response team to Jamaica to support affected communities. The response focuses on strengthening the resilience of affected communities through MHPSS and CP programs and in close collaboration with national authorities, UN agencies, and local partners. The MHPSS & Child Protection Officer will support the design, implementation, and monitoring of IsraAID’s MHPSS and Child Protection interventions in response to Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica. The position focuses on hands-on implementation, as well as strengthening national and communities’ capacity for psychosocial support and protection through training, service delivery, and the establishment of Safe Spaces across affected parishes. The role combines direct program implementation with capacity-building and collaboration with local professionals and community structures.

Responsibilities

• Implement MHPSS and Child Protection activities across affected communities, ensuring quality, inclusivity, and accountability.
• Support the establishment, operation, and supervision of Safe Spaces for children and vulnerable groups in affected communities.
• Ensure all activities adhere to IsraAID’s technical guidelines, safeguarding policies, and humanitarian principles.
• Support the identification and use of referral pathways for individuals requiring specialized mental health, protection, or social services.
• Participate in rapid assessments and ongoing context analysis to adapt programming to evolving needs.
• Document activities, session outcomes, and field observations to support learning, accountability, and quality improvement.
• Facilitate structured and non-structured psychosocial activities for children, adolescents, and caregivers, including group sessions, recreational activities, and resilience-building interventions.
• Deliver Psychological First Aid (PFA) and basic psychosocial support to individuals and families affected by crises.
• Conduct regular field visits to deliver activities, observe sessions, and provide hands-on support to facilitators and volunteers.
• Support child protection interventions, including child safeguarding awareness, positive parenting, and community-based protection activities.
• Promote safe identification, documentation, and response to child protection concerns in line with organizational and national protocols.
• Provide on-the-job guidance and technical support to community volunteers, facilitators, and outreach workers involved in MHPSS and CP activities.
• Design and deliver training sessions and workshops on MHPSS, Psychological First Aid (PFA), Child Protection, and staff wellbeing for local professionals and frontline responders.
• Support the adaptation and contextualization of IsraAID’s MHPSS and Protection tools and materials to the Jamaican context.
• Contribute to the documentation of lessons learned, challenges, and good practices from field implementation.

Essential Skills, Knowledge, And Competencies

Required skills & experience:

• BA in Social Work, Psychology, or other relevant fields.
• Minimum of 3 years experience working in humanitarian or development settings.
• Fluent English - A MUST.
• Working experience & deep introduction to the Caribbean islands – advantage.
• Knowledge and experience of emergency context, especially Child Protection and MHPSS in emergency settings.
• Demonstrated organizational skills; Able to consistently meet tight deadlines.

ETHICAL STANDARDS

IsraAID has a zero-tolerance policy towards any acts of misconduct and Sexual Exploitation and Abuse. The recruitment process will include all candidates’ declaration and reference checks focused on misconduct and SEA.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

IsraAID is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or disability status.