Mental Health and Psychosocial Counselor

Programme & Policy

Overview

Provide psychosocial support to children and families in the community

You have:

• A university degree in psychology, social science, mental health or relevant degrees
• Minimum of two years of experience in mental health & psychosocial support (MHPSS) field in the humanitarian context, preferably with NGOs, INGOs, or UN
• Excellent communication skills in Pashtu/Dari language
• Excellent English (Able to write the reports in English)
• Knowledge of Child Protection and MHPSS
• Detail-oriented skills
• Ability to travel to districts and other provinces when required
• Knowledge of computer (Ms. Office and using internet)
• Experience in child participation, MHPSS and community participation
• Knowledge of child rights is an advantage

CHILD SAFEGUARDING: (select only one)

Level 2: either the role holder will have access to personal data about children and/or young people as part of their work; or they will be working in a ‘regulated’ position (accountant, barrister, solicitor, legal executive); therefore a police check will be required (at ‘standard’ level in the UK or equivalent in other countries).

ROLE PURPOSE: The psychosocial council is a key staff in the project to work closely with children and their families in the community and s/he will be in direct contact with them for supporting children on their MHPSS and protection related concerns. The successful candidate will participate in a one-year training program, which includes three and half months of intensive psychosocial technical training in Kabul and 8.5 months of on the job training and mentoring, which will equip candidates with enough knowledge and skill to provide MHPSS support to targeted children in their intervention communities. After the completion of the first intensive training course, spanning a 3-month period at the beginning of the posting, the psychosocial councillors will be deployed in Balkh province for the implementation/roll out of the project activities based on the project objective.

SCOPE OF ROLE:

Reports to: Child protection officer Staff reporting to this post: N/A Direct:0 Indirect : 0 Budget Responsibilities: N/A Role Dimensions: Coordination, communication with stakeholders, team member,beneficiaries)

Key Accountabilities

• Attending and completing a one-year MHPSS training program to gain skill and knowledge about MHPSS services, best practices and strategies; • The psychosocial councillors need to offer his/her full commitment for the completion of the course and the project. • Providing ongoing psychosocial support for vulnerable, at-risk children and adolescents and families through one-on-one and / or group sessions, sometimes in coordination with teachers and or other thematic areas within SC’s programmatic intervention; • To assist the child protection officer in developing the questionnaire and field test tools and techniques for o rapid assessments and training materials/ modules. • Raising awareness with children, families and community leader to bring positive changes in the children life and create a protective environment for them, and to reduce stigmatization of mental health through community dialogues and engagement. • Identification and reporting of key issues, which affecting war affected and street working children in the city/ province. • Work with teachers to build capacity respond to MHPSS needs in the classroom, and to safely identify and refer cases. • Weekly base comprehensive reporting to the child protection officer • To attend Community Based Child Protection Network (CBCPN) and DCPAN to discuss child protection concerns, to provide update on MHPSS issues and to share information on positive coping strategies, safe identification and referrals • Utilizing knowledge and resources in efficient manner to input for designing future intervention to improve the lives and access to opportunity of affected children in and around the city/ province. • To assist the child protection officer in analysing situation children who are at risk • Ensure the effective and efficient use of all SC Afghanistan resources in order to keep costs low and ensure safety in the workplace

BEHAVIOURS (Values in Practice) Accountability: • Ensure that you work to the best of your ability and demonstrate high levels of commitment to SC Afghanistan in order to ensure the objectives of your role and the country programme are met. Ambition: • Ensure the effective and efficient use of all Save the Children resources in order to keep costs low and ensure safety in the workplace Collaboration: • Comply with the requirements of Save the Children’s Child Safeguarding Policy to ensure maximum protection for children Creativity:  Lead, manage and motivate a team, ensuring that they have clear objectives and receive meaningful feedback on their performance. Integrity:  Other duties as directed. Supporting other project team in related to Save the Children programs.

QUALIFICATIONS A university degree in psychology, social science, mental health or relevant degrees

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

• Minimum of two years of experience in mental health& psychosocial support (MHPSS) field in the humanitarian context, preferably with NGOs, INGOs, or UN • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. • Excellent communication skills in Pashtu/Dari language. • Good in conducting timely meeting. • Knowledge of Child Protection and MHPSS • Knowledge of working with communities, specifically in engaging communities to identify issues and working with them to implement plan. • Ability to travel to districts and other province when it is required. • Committed to the aims and principles of Save the Children, including adherence to the child protection policy. • Detail-oriented skills • Knowledge of Computer (Ms. Officer and using internet) • Excellent English (Able to write the reports in English) • Accuracy with responsibilities

Desirable

- Knowledge of child rights is an advantage. - Should be able to work independently and be a strong team member, be patient, adaptable, flexible, to maintain confidentiality, and able to improvise and work in stressful atmosphere and respects Afghan culture. - Experience of translating materials from English to Dari and Pashtu - Experience in child participation, MHPSS and community participation - Familiar with other computer program (Ms. Access, Photoshop etc)

Additional job responsibilities • Supporting other project staff for the implementation of program activities • Take active role in responses whenever an emergency happens • Assist support staffs when needed

In the event of a significant humanitarian emergency, the post-holder will be expected to work outside their normal job description; vary their working hours; and occasionally work from a different location should the need arise.

Equal Opportunities The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with the SCI Equal Opportunities and Diversity policies and procedures. Child Safeguarding: We need to keep children safe so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse. Health and Safety The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with SCI Health and Safety policies and procedures.

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Potential interview questions

Added 2 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: savethechildren.net