MHPSS Counsellor (Afghan National Only)
Provide mental health support and consultations in designated locations
Overview
Provide mental health support and consultations in designated locations
You have:
- Degree in Psychology, Counselling, Social Work, Psychiatric Nursing, or related field from a recognized institution
- At least 1 - 2 years of professional experience in clinical psychology, educational psychology, or related field
- Strong communication and facilitation skills
- Proactive and ability to work with a multicultural team
- Ability to communicate effectively in local languages both verbally and in writing
- Ability to speak and write in English language is an asset
- Technical competency in communication and reporting skills
- Fluency in Pashto, Dari, and English
- Computer skills including MS Word, Excel, Access, and internet
Job Description
General Duties
Program Management
- Deliver one-on-one (Individual) and group counseling sessions to identified clients within IRC Clinics, and in line with IRC integrated approach - Develop psychosocial activities; community mobilization, awareness raising, and any other related activity requested by MHPSS Supervisor. - Support MHPSS Supervisor in delivering training or workshops - Support in the creation of materials including publicity documents. - Engage with the community to deliver and promote IRC MHPSS project activities in the designated locations. - Assist in writing monthly, quarterly, annual reports, monitoring and evaluation activity and progress reports of project activities including monthly reporting to the MHPSS Supervisor. - Assist in the implementation of preventive MHPSS interventions at the community and PHC level. - Coordinate referrals - Any other related IRC tasks as assigned by the MHPSS Supervisor or MHPSS Coordinator - Under the guidance of MHPSS Supervisor and MHPSS Coordinator support in the collection of information related to behaviors of the community to reinforce quality of MHPSS services - Collaborate and participate, in any field survey, data collection and/or needs assessment organized by IRC in relation to MHPSS - Participation in IRC internal meetings, trainings and individual meetings with the MHPSS Supervisor or MHPSS Coordinator - The activities may change based on the changing context
Specific Duties:
- Provide MHPSS consultations within PHC setting: - Provide individual or group consultations to beneficiaries presenting in PHC or referred and in need of MH interventions - Assist in the identification of psycho-social needs and proposition needed interventions in collaboration with the mental health team and PHC staff - Weekly reporting activities and data collection - Coordinate with MHPSS supervisor on cases requiring higher level interventions - Provide psycho-social support for mental health beneficiaries: - Work directly with MHPSS Supervisor to develop individualized treatment plans for MH beneficiaries - In coordination with community mobilizers use participatory methods to adapt activities in accordance to the needs of the different target groups (children, women etc) - Community mental health interventions: - Participate in defining effective and culturally appropriate approaches and interventions on the community level - Focus on information dissemination and collecting opinions to foster knowledge and self-care practices for communities in areas of intervention - Initiate and facilitate group interventions - Analysis, detection and reduction of risk factors influencing the mental health status at community level: - In collaboration with the mental health team, explore and detect potential risk factors influencing mental health status of the target population - Coordinate with other actors concerned to reduce and/or eliminate potential risk factors.
Qualifications
- Education: Degree in Psychology, Counselling, Social Works, Psychiatric Nursing, Nursing diploma, Midwifery diploma or related field from a recognized institution - Years of Experience: At least 1 - 2 years of professional experiences in relevant field (clinical psychology, educational psychology, Psychiatric Nursing, or other related field) - Skills: Strong communication and facilitation skills, - Experience working in humanitarian sector is an asset – specifically in MHPSS programs - Good knowledge of counselling and community mobilization methods and tools - Proactive and ability to work with multicultural team would be highly appreciated
- Ability to communicate effectively in local languages both verbally and in writing. - Ability to speak and write English language is an asset. - Self-motivated, possessing persuasion skills, ability to maintain relationship and able to work on own initiative.
- Technical Competency: - Communication and reporting skills - Fluency in Pashto, Dari and English - Computer skills (including MS Word, Excel, Access, and internet) an advantage - Ability to work closely, professionally, and constructively with all others regardless of nationality, ethnicity, gender, religion, race, tribe, or cultural background
Potential interview questions
| Can you describe a challenging case you handled in your previous role? | This question assesses your problem-solving skills and ability to handle difficult situations. | Give a specific example detailing the situation, your approach, and the outcome. |
| How have you adapted your counseling methods for diverse populations? | Interviewers want to understand your adaptability and cultural competency. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What strategies do you use to engage clients during group sessions? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Describe a time when you identified a community’s mental health need. What was your response? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| How do you ensure confidentiality when dealing with sensitive information? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |