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Reporting to the Clinical Psychologist, Psychosocial Counselor – SGBV Prevention will work as a process-oriented person to ALIGHT MHPSS and SGBV Program to alleviate distress based on the Inter-Agency Standing Committee guidelines. The incumbent will be responsible for providing the day-to-day psychological support to the beneficiaries as well as providing counselling support to individuals, families and groups in the community.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

Case management:

• Provide comprehensive psychosocial counseling to persons of concern (children and adults) including survivors of SGBV using a client/survivor centered case management approach.
• Identify vulnerabilities, and ensure to follow-up on specific cases whilst making referrals to relevant service points.
• Prepare and implement already drawn counselling plans by providing quality counselling sessions for the client and their family/caregivers in the frame of short term counseling sessions.
• Assess the needs of therapy and support group activities, activity sessions; planning, developing and executing these accordingly (under guidance from the clinical psychologist)
• Collaborate closely with the medical partners and Protection workers; refer to them according to clients’ needs.
• Provide psycho-education sessions for clients, their families and community members on a regular basis and as deemed necessary using evidence based information.
• Promote the integration of PSS services offered into mainstream primary health care by collaboration with the health promotion teams.
• Maintaining a close and regular collaboration and exchange of information with the other Alight professionals linked with PSS activities.
• Participate and provide input to the protection team meetings and case discussions/conferences.
• Observing all ethical aspects and client confidentiality at all times.
• Assisting in the design and implementation of training sessions on PSS related topics
• Efficiently and effectively conduct family assessments and home and school visits to persons of concern as a way of follow up
• Carry out awareness raising activities on PSS& GBV within the communities on a regular and structured basis.
• Monitor activities of community-based protection networks, and provide capacity building and support to such networks.
• Provide oversight to client feedback processes to assess quality of care and service access issues.
• Participate in the development & submission of the Quarterly work plans, monthly work plans, weekly action plans and any other reports timely.
• Utilize psychometric tools provided by the supervisor at baseline, during and after treatment.
• Participate in strengthening 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.
• Maintain accurate records of support provided to partners and write timely reports/updates including trends as required (using MHPSS Database)
• Work with MHPSS team to strengthen existing referral systems and networks of psychosocial service.
• The psychosocial counselor is also expected to advocate for sustainable and long term solutions for MHPSS and GBV cases at relevant platforms.

Planning:

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

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.
• work with the Clinical Psychologist in the dissemination of relevant information during the Community MHPSS 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.
• Work with the MHPSS team to train communities and partners in Psychological First Aid and other relevant topics.
• 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 the designated areas of operation.
• Monitor activities of community-based MHPSS networks, and provide capacity building and support to such networks.
• Help establish and strengthen community-based referral pathway among various services for individuals with mental health challenges including monitoring the quality of the services provided.

Requirements

• A Bachelor’s degree in relevant field (Psychology, social work or other social science related field).
• Minimum of 3 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.
• Highly motivated, creative, and compassionate person who is dedicated to ensuring that models of best practice are utilized.
• Strong leadership skills.

• Independence: proven ability to work well individually and within a team.
• Willingness to travel throughout communities (70% of the time) and work in a participatory manner with a variety of populations. This calls for respect for culture, religion and beliefs.
• Ability to handle stressful working conditions with limited supervision.
• Ability to recognize own distress and seek for both formal and informal solution to mitigate it.
• Able to complete required reporting and documentation within the set deadlines.
• Problem solving and conflict resolution skills.
• Fluency in written and spoken English plus Swahili is essential.
• Ability to ride a motorbike is added advantage.