Job Identification (Reference Number)**: 19734**
Position Title: Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Officer ​ (P)
Duty Station City: **Kyiv**
Duty Station Country: **Ukraine**
Grade: **P3**
Contract Type: **Special Short Term Graded (Up to 9 months)**
Recruiting Type: **Professional**
Vacancy Type: **Special Vacancy Notice**
Initial duration: **6 months**
Closing date: **20 April 2026**

**Introduction**

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations, and as the leading UN agency in the field of migration, works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.

IOM is committed to ensuring a workplace where all employees can thrive professionally, while working towards harnessing the full potential of migration. Read more about IOM's workplace culture at [IOM workplace culture | International Organization for Migration](https://www.iom.int/iom-workplace-culture).

For the purpose of this vacancy, the following are considered first-tier candidates:

1. Internal candidates
2. Candidates from the following non-represented member states:
Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Comoros, Congo (the), Cook Islands, Dominica, Federated States of Micronesia, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Holy See, Iceland, Israel, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Namibia, Nauru, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Solomon Islands, Suriname, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu

**Second tier candidates include:**
All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states of IOM.

**Organizational Context and Scope**
IOM contributes to the promotion of mental health and psychosocial well-being of migrants and host communities through mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) programs and activities throughout all phases of the migration process. The full-scale war in Ukraine has created a profound mental health crisis affecting individuals across all age groups. Over 2.5 million homes have been damaged or destroyed with direct losses severely impacting housing, transport, energy, agriculture and water systems. Mental-health concerns are widespread, with more than 70 per cent of adults reporting anxiety, depression or severe stress. Trend analysis estimates that up to 2.7 million
people could be affected by strikes in 2026, requiring humanitarian assistance to cope with displacement, service interruptions, life-threatening burns/injuries, mental health trauma, damage, insecurity and protection risks. At the same time, Transition & Recovery and Development are considered scenarios where a great deal of help will be needed.

Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Mission (CoM) in IOM Ukraine and direct supervision of the Head of Programmes (Humanitarian), the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Officer will contribute to the harmonization of the CO’s MHPSS programmatic approaches with global standards and guidelines, development of tools and protocols, provision of technical support and capacity building, strategic planning and project implementation of Mental and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) for the mission.

**Responsibilities and Accountabilities**

1. Provide technical expertise for the development of SOPs, protocols and tools, contributing to the integration of MHPSS within IOM’s Humanitarian, Transition & Recovery and Development programming.
2. Coordinate project planning, implementation and monitoring as well as project reports, including financial and to the donors.
3. Guide and coordinate the work of project team and capacity building activities to accomplish the set goals.
4. Liaise and maintain interaction with the national, regional and local authorities for coordinated planning and support throughout.
5. Participate in the national MHPSS coordination mechanism, the UN, international and local organizations, academia, supporting MHPSS in Ukraine as well as create and maintain a community of practice or expert network and a roster of consultants.
6. Coordinate with the relevant support units (Resources Management, Programme Support, Partnerships, Information Management, Supply Chain, communication) and heads of sub-offices for due compliance, accountability and regulation follow-up.
7. Conduct research and contribute to the identification of global best and promising practices; contribute to their integration into strategic and operational planning and tools for knowledge management.
8. Provide technical background materials for IOM’s participation in relevant interagency meetings, fora, and regional and technical networks, when required.
9. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

**Required Qualifications and Experience**

**Education**
• Master’s Degree in Psychology (clinical, counselling), Counselling, Social Work (forensic or mental health) or a related field from an accredited academic institution with five years of relevant professional experience; or,
• University degree in the above fields with seven years of relevant professional experience.
• Participation in IOM corporate MHPSS Academic programs in Psychosocial Interventions in Emergency and Displacement or similar will be considered an asset.
• Additional degree in Conflict Studies, Peacebuilding Studies, Anthropology is an asset.

**Experience**
• Experience working with specialized national or international, governmental or non-governmental agencies providing MHPSS to veterans of war and their family members, internally displaced people, and returnees;
• Experience in the design and/or implementation of MHPSS interventions in conflict and/or post-conflict settings;
• Experience coordinating knowledge management initiatives, and in designing and deliver training curricula, including in person or online;
• Experience in liaising and building effective partnerships with national and international stakeholders, such as UN Agencies, research and academic institutions, international, regional and local organizations, governmental entities and civil society; and,
• Direct psychotherapeutic, counselling or social work experiences in war or similar contexts.

**Skills**
• Sound knowledge of the Interagency Peacebuilding environment;
• Demonstrated capacity for program analysis and applied research; and,
• Demonstrated capacity for the development and adaptation of tools and protocols.

**Languages**
IOM's official languages are English, French, and Spanish.

For this position, fluency in English is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, and Spanish) and/or Ukrainian is an advantage.

Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.