Paediatric Counsellor at Lutheran World Federation

Role Purpose

The Paediatric Counsellor will be based in Kakuma Refugee Camp and shall be responsible for coordinating and overseeing Paediatric counseling activities within the camp. He/she will closely work with other sector staff to improve the proper implementation of the Unaccompanied and Separated Children (UASC), protection and development programs in Child Protection Case management unit.

The incumbent will report directly to the Child Protection Officer or his/her designate while working closely on a daily basis with other sectors of LWF.

Duties and responsibilities

• Coordinate, facilitate or participate in play activities that enable the identification of distressed children.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues, partner agencies and other key stakeholders to respond systemically to issues that impact child safety and well-being.
• Participate in community events and celebrations that promote child right and participation
• Promote participation of children in child friendly spaces.
• Facilitate and coordinate direct professional counselling services for UAMs, separated children and other vulnerable children identified and/or referred by LWF child protection sector staff and other agencies.
• Respond to cases of child abuse and neglect in the camp, including making prompt referrals to relevant legal authorities and services as required.
• Monitor response and follow up of child abuse case identified within the camp.
• Identify and resolve cases of emerging conflicts between children and their care givers, or other members of the community.
• Develop and implement a holistic paediatric counselling program for children at risk.
• Carry out trainings that build child and community capacity.
  Produce timely progress reports on activities conducted, including both quantitative and qualitative information, in the camp and host communities, and provide input into regular situation reports.
  Provide assessment and treatment of wide range of interrelated biological, psychosocial and social problems experienced by children and adolescents.
  Attend regular professional supervision offered by external clinical supervisor.
• Prepare and submit weekly/monthly and feature reports as required and/or contribute to those being prepared by the Officer.
• Assist in formulation of proposals outlining on the needs of children in Kakuma refugee camp, and participate in broader protection initiatives as relevant.
• Contribute to proposals and program design in a way that draws on observations and evidenced needs in the camp.
• Undertake documentation of counseling services in accordance with LWF’s broader Case Management and CPIMS protocols and systems
• Ensure that children with protection concerns, including unaccompanied and separated children, are identified, assessed and supported to access safe alternative care and other services as required, including Best Interests Determination assessments.
• Support refugee staff to undertake home visits, assessments, documentation and programming that responds to needs in the refugee community.
• Ensuring that there is fair distribution of resources.
  Actively protect children in every aspect of work and personal life, by preventing harm and reporting child abuse. Using the “Hotline for Heroes” to report fraud, corruption, harassment, abuse or any other acts of wrongdoing by staff.

Qualifications & Experience

• Must possess a degree in counselling psychology (sciences) with a strong bias towards counselling and social work.
• A minimum of 3 years work experience in child protection, care and development in an INGO
• Knowledge of Child Protection and HIV/AIDs issues in the Refugee Kenyan context
• Knowledge of international and national legislation and policies on child protection.

Personal Attributes:

• High level of motivation, integrity, commitment and professional responsibility.
• Ability to tolerate cultural, educational and religious diversity in the work place.
• Excellent communication, organization and presentation skills.