Psychotherapist/ Trainer-Kakuma at Center for Victims of Torture (CVT)

Position Summary

The CVT project goal is to address the mental health and physiotherapy needs of traumatized refugee and host community members living in the project areas (Kakuma camp, Kalobeyei Settlement and Host Community) while building the capacities of local and refugee health care, mental health and social service providers to better and more appropriately serve survivors of torture and other severe trauma.

The responsibilities of Psychotherapist/Trainer are to work with program in Kenya, based in Kakuma, to address the mental health needs of refugees and host community. As part of an interdisciplinary team the Psychotherapist/Trainer will oversee psychological interventions, including Psychological First Aid (PFA), individual and group therapy with adults and children who are survivors of torture. This position also will provide training and supervision to a team of psychosocial counselors and provide education and supports to help other organizations better meet the needs of torture survivors.

Location: Kakuma, Kenya

Reports to: Field Coordinator/Clinical Advisor

Essential functions include [but are not limited to]:

• Clinical supervision and training: Conduct on-going clinical supervision, mentoring, and modeling to psychosocial counselors. Design and carryout training programs for psychosocial counselors. Continually assess development needs of counselors and adapt training and coaching accordingly.
• Clinical Management: Manage performance of supervisees, manage day-to-day operations of the program, including managing and leading a counseling team that provides services in multiple locations. Track and ensure program objectives are met. Promote collaboration between disciplines of counseling and physiotherapy
• Psychotherapy and Psychological First Aid: Provide psychotherapy and Psychological First Aid to individuals, families, and groups impacted by torture and survivors of war, in order to model methods and build capacity of psychosocial counselors. Collaborate with other interdisciplinary providers as part of an integrated care model.
• Community Assessment: Carry out need assessments in the camps and local communities to determine appropriate mental health interventions for people who have been tortured and/or traumatized by war, to include identification of target population and program sites.
• Reporting: Write and submit regular reports regarding clinical and training activities.
• Program Evaluation: Participate in the design and implementation of program evaluation.
• Community Collaboration and Capacity-building: Provide training and coordination with other organizations to better address the needs of torture and war survivors.
• Other Duties: Participate in other program activities, meetings, and trainings

Required Qualifications and Experience.

• Advanced degree in Clinical Psychology or Counseling. Master’s degree or equivalent required.
• At least 5 years in field experience within a Humanitarian NGO/Agency in the same or similar position.
• Extensive experience providing psychotherapy to children, adults, families, and groups.
• Experience in providing Psychological Frist Aid (PFA) in emergency/crisis settings
• Understanding of and experience implementing culturally appropriate mental health interventions, including individual, group and community-based approaches for people who have suffered torture and trauma.
• Understanding of and experience developing curriculum and providing training for mental health professionals using interactive methodologies. Experience providing training and sensitization on the effects of trauma and war.
• Experience working as part of an interdisciplinary/multi-disciplinary team desirable.
• Fluency in English required. Knowledge of other relevant languages spoken in East Africa,
• Experience working in East Africa and the region strongly preferred.
• Experience supervising staff required. Experience supervising mental health counselors preferred.
• Experience of working and living in a harsh climate and security threat area.
• Ability to work in an isolated and rapidly evolving humanitarian emergency setting that is lacking amenities. Experience working in a refugee camp setting highly desirable
• Skilled at carrying out needs assessment and program evaluations.
• Demonstrated flexibility to adapt to changing program requirements, client needs, and political climate.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office suite (Outlook, Word and Excel)
• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communications skills
• Excellent skills in organization, attention to detail and time management (including the ability to meet deadlines) Interest in or commitment to human rights

Work Environment:

• Remote and generally very hot northern Kenya weather
• Refugee camp environment
• Average daily travel of one hour to and from NGO accommodation to the camps
• Non family posting