Mental Health Psychosocial Counselor at International Rescue Committee

Job Description

Working under the guidance and supervision of the Mental health officer, the MH Psychosocial Counselor is directly responsible for the provision of Psychosocial services and assist individuals, groups, and communities in Hagadera refugee camp suffering from the effects of mental disorders, torture and war trauma in order to reduce their suffering, rehabilitate and enable them to rebuild their lives and communities.

Key Responsibilities.

In collaboration with site team and under the supervision of the mental health officer include and are not limited to:

• Provide comprehensive psychosocial counseling & Psychological First Aid (PFA) to address the mental health needs of the refugees and host community, at individual, group and community levels, to assist them recover from the traumatic effects of torture, war and forced migration.
• Support the MHPSS officer in the delivery of integrated community based mental health/Psychosocial (MHPSS) interventions including the identification and assessment of the psychosocial needs of clients.
• Actively promote the availability of comprehensive psychosocial counseling services and carry out, individual or group counselling (psychological first aid (PFA) and psychosocial support (PSS), basic psychoeducational sessions to children, adolescents and caregivers/ families (when needed).
• Actively engage the client and caregiver(s) to participate in the case management process and share information appropriately.
• Refer clients to other institutions for further assistance, when necessary, in line with the available local referral pathways, to ensure effective and efficient case management process.
• Plan and coordinate psychotherapy groups at the two Health posts and main hospital clinic mental health clinics, including selection of group members, planning the group process & group facilitation.
• Facilitate group counseling sessions with clients, such as couples therapy, family therapy and other forms of group therapy including those targeting postpartum mothers and persons living with drug addiction.
• Ensure that all work with clients is kept confidential and that ethical practices are always observed.
• Develop, plan and conduct trainings and awareness-raising sessions for the refugee mental health department staff, community health workers, community leaders, religious leaders, support groups, teachers, paraprofessional counselors, and other stake holders on prevention and in response to concerns identified.
• Ensure that all required documentation is completed in a timely and professional manner.
• Prepare and compile quality department psychosocial work plans, and weekly and monthly HIS reports.
• Keep files and statistics of daily activities and participate in team meetings to share experiences and discuss special cases with the supervisor, MHPSS technical advisor &/or consultant specialist when available.
• Inform and discuss with line manager any difficulties and problems of any kind arising during the day-to-day activities.
• Document best practice, case studies and learnings for reporting and evaluation purposes.
• Hold regular meetings with case workers and community mobilizers to monitor progress and discuss successes, challenges and way forward.
• Create an appropriate networking system with other and or relevant implementing partners, line ministries, hospital departments and community stake holders through referrals and advocacy.
• Oversee and conduct psychosocial assessments & plan individual case management of patients on follow up at the mental health department & ensure case management goals are properly achieved.
• Design and initiate appropriate psychosocial treatment plans for war trauma and torture survivors suffering from PTSD through individual or small group psychotherapeutic sessions and supervise, as necessary.    
• Provide mentorship of the mental health assistants working in the MH department through continuous education, guidance, supervision, and support.
• Design mental health trainings for the mental health workers and other stake holders.
• Take charge of the mental health department when the mental health officer is away from office.
• Sensitize, problem-solve, dialogue and mediate with the wider population in the camp about their psychosocial issues in order to raise understanding, develop coping strategies and encourage those who need psychosocial services to approach mental health team.
• Develop referral pathways and systems, and encourage collaboration between local partners, leaders, CBOS, INGOS & Government ministries.
• Attend inter-agency meetings to improve service delivery to our clients/groups and access opportunities to show case what IRC is doing in the camp.
• Assist with any other related activities/duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Accountability.

• Hold himself accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling IRC Way.
• 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.

Collaboration.

• Builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, community members and external partners and supporters.
• Values diversity, equality and inclusion.
• Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to.

Creativity.

• Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions.

Integrity.

• Honest, encourages openness and transparency; demonstrates highest levels of integrity.                              

Key Result Areas.

Improvement in overall quality of MHPSS care for all the patients/ clients in Hagadera refugee camp.

Qualifications

• Diploma/Degree in psychology, counselling or a related field
• At least 2-3 years in field experience within a Humanitarian, NGO/Agency in the same or similar position
• Extensive experience providing psychotherapy to individuals and groups.
• Flexibility and adaptability to the changing environment, requirements and needs.
• Skilled at working as a team member.
• Working knowledge of English and Kiswahili.
• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft office suite (Outlook, Word & Excel)
• Demonstrated resilience and ability to work and deliver in a stressful environment.

Desired

• Experience in the context and knowledge of the community’s socio-cultural norms.
• Experience in community facilitation and mobilization.
• Fluency in local language (Somali) is an added advantage.