Protection Assistant – Counseling Psychologist. at Danish Refugee Council

Overall purpose of the role:

The purpose of this post is to provide day to day case management and mental health and psychosocial support and related activities in Kakuma and Kalobeyei.  In particular, the person is responsible for addressing mental health needs of persons with mental health concerns. In collaboration with the PSN Officer, S/he will be in charge of the provision of training and supervision of the PSN community workers, to respond to cases of persons with disabling chronic mental health disorders and persons of concern experiencing stressful situations and in need psychosocial interventions within the camp and ensure effective case management and psychosocial support. S/he will work and liaise closely with the PSN Officer, PSN Social worker and Physiotherapist on documentation of program activities as per the donor requirements.

Responsibilities:

Case Management and Mental Health and Psychosocial Support:

• Conduct psychosocial assessments and Mental Status Examinations, prepare and submit the reports to the supervisor. 
• Conduct psychosocial counselling (individual and group) to persons with mental health concerns identified or referred using highest levels of confidentiality, professional ethics and etiquette.
• Ensure appropriate psychosocial interventions are in line with the IASC MHPSS guidelines.
• Document client data accurately in the intake forms and ensure they are under lock and key.
• Accurately update the MHPSS database and tracker on a regular basis for all beneficiaries and interventions conducted at the field level.
• Participate in the interpretation of the analyzed data on trends and work with prevention team to disseminate information to all relevant stakeholders.
• Participate in the development of the MHPSS monitoring tools and systems and ensure that all staff are required to utilize them are trained on the correct way of handling the systems.
• Participate in design of case management and psychosocial projects

Coordination and Networking:

• Maintain and strengthen existing networks through other service providers at the camp level, to ensure that persons with mental health concerns receive quality services and support both at the agency levels.
• Actively participate in scheduled meetings such as the case conferences and inter-agency meetings and as assigned
• Strengthen existing referral systems and identify new networks to work with to ensure holistic support to the clients.
• Work in close collaboration with the GBV and Child Protection to ensure ongoing needs of persons with mental health concerns are being met in the community activities.
• In collaboration with other partners, design psychosocial interventions within the refugee community focusing on the MHPSS needs.
• Participate in conducting trainings for partners on relevant organizational development areas and support peer learning between DRC and other partner agencies.

Community Engagement and Outreach:

• Conduct sensitization, dialogue and mediation sessions with the wider population about issues of mental health.
• 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.
• Support the PSN officer and PSN assistants, in dissemination of relevant information during the Community forums and meetings. 

Monitoring and Evaluation:

• Assist in preparing daily, monthly, quarterly and annual reports, progress notes, and treatment plans on time 
• Use appropriate data collection tools and submit assessments and reports in a timely and accurate manner    
• Work closely with the refugee staff to ensure quality reporting   
• Assist in the designing, planning, implementing and facilitating of external trainings for numerous target groups
• Ensure Core Humanitarian Standards are mainstreamed in the day to day project implementation 
• Attend relevant training forums relevant to the job 
• Assist with any other related activities as deemed necessary by the supervisor

Staff Management and Development:

• Provide supervision to the community workers and ensure effective provision of Psychosocial services.
• Conduct continuous performance/evaluation for the community working under her/him.
• Engage in quality self-care through supervision, debriefings, and other shared sessions.
• Conduct regular formal and on-job training and mentorship to community workers on areas related to case management, counselling and other related topics to enhance professionalism.
• Conduct regular case conference meetings with the community workers both at individual and group levels.
• Organize for external capacity building forums on MHPSS.

Experience and technical competencies: 

• 2 years’ experience in providing psychosocial counseling to persons with mental health conditions
• Good team player; able to take direction and work collaboratively with others.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including empathic listening.
• Ability to communicate in a highly professional manner with clients, community members and professional partners.
• Able to complete required reporting and documentation within the set deadlines.
• Highly motivated, creative, and compassionate person who is dedicated to ensuring that models of best practice are utilized.    
• Able to uphold high ethical and professional standards.
• Able to maintain the highest levels of confidentiality.
• Problem solving and conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to work in a challenging environment.
• Ability to promote the values of equality, non-discrimination, and human rights for all.
• Experience working in a refugee context is highly desirable

Education: 

• Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology 
• Be a registered member of Kenyan counseling/psychology professional bodies.
• Fluent in written and spoken English and Swahili.

DRC’s Core competencies: 

• Striving for excellence: you focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process.
• Collaborating: you involve relevant parties and encourage feedback.
• Taking the lead: you take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.
• Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly.
• Demonstrating integrity: you act in line with our vision and values.

Conditions:  
Contract duration: 10 months. Salary and conditions will be in accordance with the Danish Refugee Council terms of employment for National staff.
Availability: March 2022
Duty station: Kakuma (does not qualify for accommodation)
Key stakeholders:                                                                                   
Internal: Protection, DRC Kakuma Staff
External: Refugee and Host Community, Local government authorities, Other NGOs, Implementing partners