Education Psychosocial Counsellor (Dadaab) at Lutheran World Federation

The incumbent will report directly to Education Officer – Policy and Administration or his/her designate.

Role Purpose: 

The Psychosocial Counsellor will lead the process in development, implementation, and coordination of the psychosocial counseling Services at the EARC (Educational Assessment and Resource Centre), Screening/Assessment, evaluation, referrals, educational program and transition planning, therapeutic intervention, and exit planning for Learners identified with or suspected of having disabilities that interfere with their ability to perform daily life activities or participate in necessary or desired occupations.

Duties & Responsibilities include but are not limited to: –

Program Management

• Provide comprehensive psychosocial counseling to clients who have experienced war trauma, torture or SGBV
• Provide assessment, individual and group counseling sessions.
• Sensitize, problem solve, dialogue and mediate with the wider population about issues of war, torture, trauma and SGBV
• Ensure all work with clients is confidential and that ethical practices are observed
• Assist in the designing, planning, implementing and facilitating of external trainings for numerous target groups
• Develop new and strengthen existing referral systems with other organizations
• Engage in quality self-care through supervision, debriefings, and other shared sessions
• Complete quarterly reports, progress notes, and treatment plans on time

Program Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting

• Monitor and support other education staff in implementing LWF project management systems and guidelines to ensure the smooth implementation of approved activities
• With the support of MEAL team ensure project performance is tracked and quality standards adhered to
• Provide periodic analytical overviews of program progress, highlighting achievements via indicators, strengths, opportunities, weaknesses, challenges/constraints, lessons learned and way forward
• Conduct regular visits to project sites to collect and verify data for preparation of regular and ad hoc program reports and briefs to immediate manager

Representation & Advocacy & Organizational Learning

• Coordinate plans with partners at all levels, particularly ECHO consortium partner, UNHCR, UNICEF, the Ministry of Education, other government and camp authorities active in education in all the camps
• Collaborate with ECHO consortium partners on program implementation to ensure joint planning, implementation and monitoring of project interventions
• Represent LWF with external stakeholders as requested (inter-agency coordination meetings, working groups) and influences the shape of broader sector strategies
• Take steps to document lessons learned, from the Education program including that of partners for wider dissemination.

General Responsibilities

• Assist teachers in the development and implementation of psychosocial counselling programs in school communities.
• Disseminate information concerning psychosocial counselling services available for the refugee communities
• Monitor learner’s progress and make informed, timely educational decisions
• Perform other tasks and assumes other responsibilities as assigned by supervisor

Management, Mentorship, and Development

• Manage performance of direct reports in the work area through;
• Provide orientation/training to new staff 
• Ensure effective use of the performance management system including the establishment of clear, measureable objectives, on-going feedback, periodic reviews and fair and unbiased evaluations of direct reports
• Ensure that there is continuous coaching, mentoring and other developmental opportunities for direct reports
• Build the capacity of direct reports to monitor/manage projects as well as understand and implement compliance requirements from donors, LWF and/or the Government of Kenya
• Maintain clear communication with both the functional (direct) line manager and the technical manager to foster a smooth working relation under existing matrix structure

Child Safeguarding.

• Ensure that all reports have an obligation to ensure they fully understand the provisions of the Child Safeguarding Policy, the Code of Conduct and related policies. They must conduct themselves in accordance with the rules of the Child Safeguarding Policy, in their personal and professional lives – which includes reporting suspicions of child abuse
• All staff must ensure the way they are carrying out their work is not putting children at risk (or further risk).

Qualifications:

A Bachelor’s degree in Counselling, Psychology or a higher diploma in counselling with a minimum of 3 years related work experience respectively.

Skills and Competences

• Experience in the provision of psychosocial services to refugees’ /asylum seekers is an advantage
• Good report writing and communication skills
• Registered Member of KCPA or any other relevant professional membership.
• A team player with ability to work independently with minimal supervision
• Ability to maintain professionalism in services delivery and ethics
• Experience in case management including management of case conferences

Attributes:

• Holds self-accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling LWF values.
• Holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities – giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved
• Sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves (and their team), takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages others to do the same
• Widely shares their personal vision for LWF, engages and motivates others
• Future orientated, thinks strategically.
• Builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, members and external partners and supporters
• Values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength
• Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to
• Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions
• Willing to take disciplined risks
• Honest, encourages openness and transparency
• Ability to identify pupils who require counselling support.
• Ability to offer psycho-social needs to pupils who require the same.
• Ability to train staff in basic counselling skills and how to identify pupils in need of counselling.

 LWF World Service is an equal opportunity employer, irrespective of gender, race or religious affiliation. Qualified persons with disability and female candidates are encouraged to apply.

LWF World Service adheres to PSEA Policy, Child protection standards and to internal Child protection Policy. LWF World Service is signatory to the Code of Conduct for humanitarian agencies.

Our recruitment and selection procedures reflect the organization’s commitment to the prevention of abuse and exploitation of beneficiaries.