Child Protection and Mental Health Social Support Program Consultant/CP & MHPSS Officer in Save the Children

Save the Children International is a leading international humanitarian organization that has been protecting children's rights around the world for more than 100 years. We work in more than 100 countries, responding to emergency situations, implementing innovative development programs and advocating for the interests of children at the global level.

Our activities in Ukraine began in 2014. Since then, we have greatly expanded our geographic presence, providing support to children and families affected by war. We work in areas such as education, child protection, food security and social support, and we also carry out advocacy activities aimed at ensuring lasting changes in the lives of children.

Purpose of the position:

Issues Consultant child protection and mental health social support program is responsible for supporting the daily implementation and monitoring of integrated CP and MHPSS programs in Sumy, including both direct and partner interventions. 
Under the direction of the CP & MHPSS Coordinator, the consultant will facilitate the implementation of high-quality, evidence-based and contextually appropriate interventions. This includes operational support for the implementation of Save the Children's key program components and collaborative approaches, including Safe Families (where the DI team is not present), structured MHPSS activities (such as HEART, TeamUp, Youth Resilience and ISMF) and other group activities held in children's spaces, mobile sites, schools or other community settings. These activities aim to promote well-being, strengthen protective environments and ensure children have access to safe, inclusive and supportive services. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Program definition and planning

• Participate in data collection and contextual analysis to inform CP and MHPSS programs.
Participate in the development and planning of CP and MHPSS activities compliance with community needs and organizational priorities. 
• Contribute to proposal development by sharing field data and analytics with coordinators and project managers. 

l; font-weight: 400">Support the implementation of CP and MHPSS activities, including group activities for children and caregivers, structured MHPSS activities (HEART, Team Up, Youth Resilience, ISMF), Safe Families, community awareness campaigns and Explosive Ordinance and Risk Education (EORE) for immediate implementation.

Monitoring, evaluation and training within the grant

• Participate in regular monitoring of child protection (CP) and psychosocial support (MHPSS) activities using approved tools and indicators.
• Support data collection and reporting in collaboration with MEAL teams.
• Contribute to IPTT analysis and identification of issues and risks.
• Participate in documenting lessons learned and best practices.
• Promote children's participation and implementation of feedback mechanisms in program activities.

Grant closure and training

• Assist in the preparation of final reports and documentation for grant closure.
• Participate in post-project reviews and training sessions to improve future programs.

Capacity development and supervision

• Supervise the work of MHPSS/Safe Families facilitators, providing support and guidance to enable them to successfully carry out their duties.
• Support training and mentoring for facilitators and volunteers who implement Child Protection (CP) and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) activities.
• Facilitate training on structured interventions (HEART, TeamUp, Youth Resilience, ISMF), the Safe Families program and the main principles of CP/MHPSS.
• Provide peer support and mentoring under the direction of the coordinatorand technical advisors.
• Ensure timely completion and submission of monthly timesheets, probationary evaluations and annual performance reviews.
• Assist in the selection process of MHPSS facilitators.

Support partnerships

• Collaborate with partners to ensure quality implementation of CP and MHPSS activities.
• Participate in joint monitoring visits and feedback sessions.
• Share field observations for adaptive planning and coordination.

External representation and engagement

• Support participation in local coordination platforms in the absence of a coordinator.
• Contribute to advocacy and information activities in collaboration with communications teams and advocacy.

Internal coordination and collaboration

• Coordinate with internal teams (eg, case management, education, MEAL) for integrated programming.
• Share field experiences and feedback with technical and operational teams.
• Collaborate with security teams to ensure safe implementation of activities.

General Responsibilities

• Support emergency response activities, including flexible working hours.
• Assist in procurement planning and administrative support of field activities.
• Adhere to Save the Children policies regarding protection, security and operational activities.

Additional Responsibilities

• Support the CP & MHPSS coordinator in ensuring smooth operation and continuation of activities in his/her absence.
• Promote team interaction and synergy between CP and MHPSS components.
• Take initiative in team coordination, dissemination of updates and timely completion of tasks.
• Participate in cross-thematic exchange of experiences and integration activities to form a unified child-centered approach.
• Execute other tasks as determined by the CP & MHPSS Coordinator, within the scope of competence and experience.

To be successful, you must have:

Requirements:

• Higher degree in psychology, social work, sociology, pedagogy, law or related field.
• Minimum 1 year of experience working in child protection and/or MHPSS, preferably in an emergency/humanitarian or development setting.
• Experience working directly with vulnerable groups (children, adolescents and families).
• Knowledge of the local context or a specific geographical area of implementation.
• Experience of working with internally displaced persons (IDPs), refugees or returnees.
• Previous experience of working with NGOs or public organizations.
• Experience of personnel management/supervision.
• Experience of conducting/facilitating trainings and developmentto potential.
• Basic understanding of child development, child protection principles and psychosocial support approaches.
• Awareness of key standards and guidelines such as IASC Guidelines on MHPSS and Minimum Standards for Child Protection in Humanitarian Settings.
• Understanding of human rights and protection principles in humanitarian contexts.
• High interpersonal skills, ability to communicate with children .
• Ability to effectively plan and organize workload.
• Ability to establish contacts and cooperate effectively with partners and communities.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in Ukrainian.
• Creative problem-solving and analytical skills, ability to work in conditions of limited resources.
• Ability to independently perform and adapt to tasks
• Computer proficiency, including Microsoft Office and Excel.
• Ability to work in a team.
• Initiative, proactive in identifying problems and finding solutions.
• Cultural competence, sensitivity and ability to work with diverse groups while adhering to the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Commitment to the goals, values and principles of Save the Children, including rights-based approaches and child protection policies.
• Willingness to protect vulnerable children in accordance with protection principles and humanitarian standards.
• Flexibility and willingness to change work practices and schedules, work in the field, sometimes in challenging environments and with limited resources, and under remote supervision.

Desired requirements:

• Academic or professional training in mental health of families, children and adolescents or psychosocial support.
• A basic level of written and spoken English is a significant advantage.

We offer:

• Official employment in accordance with the legislation of Ukraine

• International conditions labor

• Working day from 9 am to 5 pm

• Medical insurance

• Life and health insurance

• Opportunities for training and professional development 

Child protection policy:

We must ensure the safety of children, so our selection process includes strict background checks and reflects our commitment to protecting children from abuse.  

SCI is committed to creating a truly inclusive, effective and representative organizational culture, promoting equity and diversity among its employees and eliminating unlawful discrimination.

Ready to hire an employee with a disability.

If you are interested in the position, please send your resume in English by November 27, 2025. Please note that the position will remain open on the site until we find a successful candidate.

Indicate your expected salary and level of English proficiency in your cover letter.