MHPSS Specialist

Employer: International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
Location: Geneva, Switzerland
Apply: https://careers.icrc.org/job/Geneva-MHPSS-Specialist/1407685733/
Application Deadline: July 12, 2026

Type: Full-time, 100% Working Rate
Length of Assignment: 4 years
Job Level: C2
Starting Date: ASAP
Type of Mobility: Required Rotation

Since 1863, the ICRC has worked to relieve suffering and preserve human dignity during war and armed violence. Alongside Red Cross and Red Crescent partners, they deliver life-saving aid across front lines and strive to reconnect families and locate missing people.

Purpose of the Position:
The Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Specialist provides technical expertise to strengthen the quality, coherence, and effectiveness of ICRC MHPSS programmes globally. Under the guidance of the MHPSS Programme Coordinator, and in coordination with MHPSS Regional Specialists and relevant colleagues across Health, Protection, and other operational métiers, the role contributes to aligning field operations with ICRC strategic directions, technical standards, and programming frameworks.

The MHPSS Specialist contributes to and supports field teams in the development and implementation of context-appropriate MHPSS responses for people affected by armed conflict and violence. The position provides technical guidance and support to field teams through programme development, capacity strengthening, quality monitoring, and the development of relevant guidance and tools. The role promotes an integrated approach to MHPSS across ICRC responses, including community-based, psychosocial, and specialized mental health care.

Main Duties & Responsibilities:
• Provides strategic and technical advice to delegations and field teams, including through field visits, to support the design, implementation, monitoring, and review of MHPSS programmes.
• Supports implementation of global and regional MHPSS priorities and ensures alignment with ICRC frameworks, standards, guidelines, and quality-of-care principles.
• Contributes to the development, adaptation, and dissemination of MHPSS technical guidance, tools, and monitoring approaches.
• Promotes integration and mainstreaming of MHPSS across ICRC responses, including Health and Protection activities.
• Provides technical expertise on specialized mental health care, referral pathways, and collaboration with relevant health services.
• Provides coaching, mentoring, and technical support to MHPSS field teams through training and learning initiatives.
• Works closely with MHPSS Program Coordinator, Regional Specialists, Health and Protection colleagues.
• Represents the MHPSS métier in global discussions, technical forums, and coordination platforms.

Education Required:
• Degree in Psychiatry or Clinical Psychology required
• Training or experience in MHPSS in humanitarian context required
• Training in public health is an asset
• Familiar with results-based management / logical framework tools is an asset

Experience Required:
• Typically 12-15 years of professional experience
• Minimum 2 to 5 years of clinical experience required
• Minimum 5 to 10 years of international humanitarian experience working directly required
• Valid license to practice in country of origin or country of residence
• Fluency in verbal and written English required
• Proficiency in French and/or another language of ICRC interest: Arabic, Spanish and/or Russian is an asset
• Exposure to psychiatry in places of detention/prison is an asset
• ICRC field experience is an asset
• Understanding of community public health psychiatry with multidisciplinary teams is an asset

Important: For future employees and their dependents who are not EU and/or EFTA nationals, settling in Switzerland is now required. Direct settlement in France upon arrival is no longer possible.

ICRC values diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive working environment.