MHPSS Counselor

Qualifications and experience:

• A Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in social sciences, Guidance and Counseling, Community Psychology, and / or Social Work; and a Certification in Counseling.

• Minimum of 4 years work experience in providing psychosocial counseling in a refugee context.

• Certificate in Counseling

• Proficiency in computer use and knowledge of up-to-date MS packages.

• Comprehensive case management and documentation plus presentation skills.

Behavioral competences:

• Able to uphold high ethical and professional standards as outlined in counseling profession.

• Good listener, open-minded, non-judgmental, and sensitive to the needs and situation of GBV survivors and MHPSS clients including the ability to respect the survivors’ right to confidentiality and choice of service.

• Appreciation and strong willingness to apply client centered approaches in implementation of services relating to GBV and MHPSS.

Case management:

• Utilize psychometric tools provided by the supervisor at baseline, during and after treatment.

• Provide structured counseling sessions to child and adults in based on individual, family and group approaches.

• Strengthen existing referral systems and networks of psychosocial and GBV service providers

• Facilitate formation of and mentorship of support groups for survivors and clients of MHPSS and other vulnerable groups.

• Efficiently and effectively carry out home and or school visits to persons of concern as may be required.

• Ability to do trauma counseling both in individual and group settings.

• Identify vulnerabilities, and ensure to follow-up on specific cases whilst making referrals to relevant service points.

• Maintain accurate records of support provided to partners and write timely reports as required by the project (using GBV IMS and MHPSS Database)

• Work with MHPSS team to strengthen existing referral systems and networks of psychosocial service.

• Expected to receive and address referral needs from OPM, The Donor, Protection and Health partners. The MHPSS counselor is also expected to advocate for sustainable and long term solutions for MHPSS and GBV cases at relevant platforms.

Planning and Coordination:

• Participate in the development & submission of the Quarterly work plans, monthly work plans, weekly action plans and any other reports timely.

• Lead/ coordinate all donor related missions to ensure Alight gets to represent its work effectively.

• Ensure Alight actively participates in all elements of site-level coordination (e.g. OPM, Doner, Inter-Agency Working Groups) and ensure Alight teams are consulting coordination structures as projects are implemented.

• Maintain an open dialogue with all relevant sectorial and inter-agency actors operating in the refugee settlement.

• Develop and maintain strong working relationship with all stakeholders-including Refugee Welfare Councils community leaders, NGOs, UN agencies and CBOs;

• Ensure information from the coordination meetings is timely shared by teams along with quick responses to issues identified;

• Develop and maintain constructive, positive and respectful relationships with key government, OPM and other stakeholders.

• Ensure that activities to be implemented are shared with relevant stakeholders for the purpose of collaboration, building relationships, and developing joint activities that make best use of available capacities;

Quality Management:

• Provide avenues and channels (formal and informal) that encourage client feedback processes to assess quality of care and service access issues.

Community empowerment and outreaches:

• Develop and implement programs which promote resilience and strengthen positive coping mechanisms within the community; establishment of peer networks, psychosocial support, and social integration.

• Identify and strengthen Community structures through engaging community leaders, camp management and other stakeholders to ensure that the survivors receive adequate support at the community level.

• Support the Clinical Psychologist, in dissemination of relevant information during the Community MHPSS prevention forums and meetings.

• Provide supervision and continuous development to the Para counsellors (incentive workers) and ensure effective provision of Psycho-social services using the MHPSS pyramid and SASA approaches.

• Work with the MHPSS team to train communities and partners in Psychological First Aid and SASA! Methodology.

• Carry out awareness raising activities on GBV and MHPSS within the communities

• Organize for and conduct distribution of dignity kits for survivors, teenage mothers and those living in severe distress in Kyangwali Refugee Settlement.

• Monitor activities of community-based GBV/MHPSS networks, and provide capacity building and support to such networks.

• Assist in training and mentoring of local community partners and community members in GBV response and prevention, SASA including case management

• Help establish and strengthen community-based referral pathway among various services for survivors of GBV including monitoring the quality of the services provided.

Finance and Administration:

• With support from the Human Resources Coordinator maintain the integrity and oversight of HR systems and processes.

• Track BVA and ensure spending is on track.

• Safeguard and adhere to Alight’s internal controls and financial procedures.

• Liaise with the Country Finance Coordinator to ensure monthly financial projections and corresponding cash requests are processed in a timely manner;

Professional care and growth:

• Engage in quality self-care through supervision, debriefings, and other shared and individual preferences.

• Actively participate in Continuous Learning Sessions (CLS) with the MHPSS team and extend knowledge to staff.

• Any other duties as assigned by the line supervisor like attending protection and or working group meetings.

Perform any other duties assigned to you.