Mental Health Supervisor (Internal ONLY)

About StrongMinds Zambia

StrongMinds Zambia (SMZ) is a non-governmental organisation providing scalable, community- and school-based solutions to close the mental health treatment gap in Zambia. Founded in 2019, we provide free, community-based group talk therapy (IPT-G) to treat depression to everyone that needs it most. Our model uses trained local health workers to deliver culturally relevant care through partnerships with the Government of Zambia, significantly reducing symptoms and improving lives. After proving the feasibility, effectiveness, and affordability of our treatment model, SMZ is focused on rapid and impactful scaling of these free, existing and tested community-based mental health solutions.

StrongMinds aims to provide mental health treatment to420,000 Zambians in 2026 exclusively through the Government of Zambia and reach millions more in the years ahead.

Job Profile

Job Title: Mental Health Supervisor 

Line Manager / Supervisor: Peer Therapy Programs Manager

Duty Station: Kafue, Zambia

Job Purpose / Position Summary

The Mental Health Supervisor (MHS) is responsible for providing effective supervision, coaching, support, and leadership to Mental Health Coaches, Mental Health Facilitators, volunteers, and group leaders involved in the implementation of StrongMinds' programme.

The MHS is responsible for building and maintaining strong professional relationships with volunteers and team members based on mutual trust, respect, accountability, and recognition of competence and professionalism. The MHS supports the growth and development of volunteers through coaching, training, guidance, and constructive feedback while ensuring their wellbeing and effective engagement in programme activities.

The MHS also plays a key role in ensuring the quality of programme implementation within their assigned teams. They proactively monitor programme delivery, support adherence to IPT-G standards, identify quality gaps, and work collaboratively with teams to implement appropriate improvement measures.

The MHS will be expected to demonstrate experience and capability in volunteer management, team supervision, coaching and skills development, quality assurance, programme monitoring, reporting, community engagement, and implementation of community-based mental health programmes.

Areas of Responsibilit

1. Program Implementation

• Review weekly work plans for the teams and submit them to the Program Lead.
• Follow up with MHCs and volunteers to ensure work plans are implemented.
• Support teams in mobilising and recruiting depressed clients for therapy.
• Conduct one-on-one meetings with team members and volunteers to provide guidance and support.
• Attend and conduct cluster debrief meetings with teams and volunteers for experience sharing and learning.
• Support co-facilitation during sessions with volunteers/MHFs or oversee co-facilitation and support the team.
• Support teams to conduct session roll-outs and follow up to ensure adherence and quality delivery of IPT-G.
• Work with MHCs and MHFs to identify, select, and train new volunteers to conduct therapy.
• Work with the MHC to conduct FGDs and feedback sessions with volunteers to improve programming.
• Oversee the running of external activities in the area, including verification and evaluation.
  
  

2. Coaching and Skills Building

• Lead the selection, formation, training, and supervision of volunteers and their leaders to ensure compliance with IPT-G standards, policies, and procedures.
• Provide hands-on support to volunteers and leaders, including teaching and demonstrating counselling techniques and the application of IPT-G.
• Support leaders to hold periodic debriefing sessions to promote team cohesion and allow for reflection on skills and therapy quality.
• Assist volunteers and their leaders to recognise their own personal limitations and put in place strategies to protect themselves and clients.
• Ensure teams are taking appropriate self-care measures to avoid burnout.
• Provide timely and constructive feedback to team members and volunteers regarding their performance and develop coaching session plans.
  
  

3. Program Monitoring and Development

• Support MHCs to develop a robust volunteer programme.
• Conduct periodic individual and group supervision of volunteers with team leaders in the implementation of IPT-G within the assigned district.
• Ensure programme activities are implemented according to established StrongMinds standards through regular monitoring.
• Oversee the collection of data on programme activities and submit it to the Program Manager.
• Support sustainability and expansion objectives within the programme.
  
  

4. Data Management and Reporting

• Ensure weekly activity reports and other M&E forms from the field are submitted on time.
• Submit monthly reports to the Programme Lead using the agreed format.
• Ensure a standard filing system for documents is maintained by MHFs.
  
  

5. Liaison and Coordination

• In collaboration with the Programme Lead and STG teams, ensure smooth coordination with communities for the implementation of IPT-G sessions.
• Ensure effective coordination with teams working in different communities.
  
  

6. Management and Administration

• Lead MHCs/MHFs by example in all aspects of conduct, programme implementation, and work ethics.
• Ensure communication for logistics support, transport, and other field requirements is coordinated in a timely manner with the Logistics and Administration Department.
• Ensure discipline within the teams.
• Resolve minor issues within the teams.
• Support the Programme Manager in preparing strategic direction and plans.
• Support teams in preparing payments for volunteers and submit them to the Programme Manager.
• Submit lists of volunteers and phone numbers for airtime purchases.

Educational Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree inCommunity Psychology, Social Work, Counselling, or another relevant Health or Social Sciences field.
• An Advanced Diploma in a relevant field with more than four (4) years of relevant community work experience may also be considered.
• Training or experience inInterpersonal Group Therapy (IPT-G) or community-based mental health interventions will be an added advantage.

Job-Related Experience & Knowledge

• Minimum ofthree (3) years' relevant professional experience in community-based programming, mental health, counselling, social work, or a related field.
• Experience supervising or leading teams of volunteers.
• Experience working with community-based mental health programmes.
• Experience working with people experiencing depression or other mental health challenges.
• Experience facilitating groups focused on mental health and psychosocial wellbeing.
• Experience providing coaching, mentoring, supervision, or skills development to staff or volunteers.
• Demonstrated understanding of mental health, particularly depression and psychosocial wellbeing.
• Knowledge and understanding of self-help and empowerment approaches in mental health.
• Experience monitoring programme quality and supporting continuous improvement.
• Experience in community mobilisation, volunteer recruitment, training, and management.
• Experience preparing programme reports and maintaining accurate programme documentation.
• Experience working with community structures and programme stakeholders.
• Strong computer literacy, including proficiency in Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Competencies

• Strong leadership and people-management skills.
• Strong coaching, mentoring, and supervision skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong group facilitation and presentation skills.
• Ability to build and maintain professional relationships with volunteers, teams, communities, and stakeholders.
• Strong organisational and planning skills with attention to detail.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Ability to provide constructive feedback and manage performance effectively.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.
• Commitment to quality improvement and learning.
• Ability to demonstrate empathy, professionalism, accountability, and respect when working with others.
• Commitment to StrongMinds' mission, values, and community-based approach to mental health.

Application Details

• Application Deadline: 28th September 2026 at 08:00am (Zambian Time)

Safeguarding & Equal Opportunity

Academic qualifications must be ZAQA certified.

StrongMinds Zambia is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We encourage applications from qualified candidates regardless of gender, disability, ethnicity, or background. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.