Psychological Counsellor at International Rescue Committee

Overview/Summary

The mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) department seeks to ensure that crisis-affected populations have access to high quality humanitarian services focusing on the promotion, prevention and treatment of mental health concerns.

The psychological Counselor will be responsible for providing evidence based psychological interventions to refugees within IRC programs or who are referred by other actors through the established referral pathway system. There will be a focus on vulnerable populations, specifically, but not limited to suicide prevention, trauma counselling, gender-based violence, psychosocial protection and patients with psychiatric disorders. This position will also involve study writing and analysis of current MHPSS situational findings.

Reports to:

• The position reports to the Mental health and Psychosocial officer (MHPSS officer) and works in conjunction with the Psychiatric Nurse, Mental Health Assistants and other Primary Healthcare staff.

Major Responsibilities:

• Provide age-appropriate and culturally relevant individual and/or group psychological counselling to clients by assessing client’s needs and presenting complaints and develop a care plan with the client based on those needs, including referrals to other services.
• Implement internationally recognized standard methodologies for evidence based psychological interventions and the management of clients guided by the IRC Framework, IASC guidelines and counseling ethical guidelines. This includes upholding confidentiality of therapy sessions and respecting clients decisions.
• Support the client(s) coping process and mobilize their internal and external resources for processing acute adversity.
• Support in MHPSS based studies to help identify gaps and offer recommendations.
• Maintain an effective working relationship and regular communication with other primary health care workers.
• Maintain effective working relationships with relevant partners including referral organizations, community groups and other implementing partners (will be part of the MHPSS working group).
• Complete daily case reports and data collection according to procedures provided by the MHPSS Technical Advisor.
• Other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Qualifications

• Higher Diploma/Degree in counselling psychology.
• At least 2-3 years in field experience within a Humanitarian emergency setting in the same or similar position.
• Knowledge in conducting assessments, using screening tools and designing individual care plans for clients seeking mental health services.
• Experience in offering PFA is strongly desired.
• Knowledgeable on the Psychological testing and assessment tools.
• Familiarity with IASC Guidelines on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings.
• Knowledge of the WHO interventions like mhGAP, GPM+ or IP is desirable.
• Additional trainings or certifications on related fields, such as alcohol/substance abuse, stress management, critical incident stress management, cross-cultural communication, conflict resolution, trauma, etc. will also be considered.
• Be registered with KCPA.
• Proficiency in English and professional writing skills is a requirement.

Personal qualities:

• Works well in and promotes teamwork, comfortable in a multi-cultural environment, flexible and able to handle pressure well.
• Be a critical thinker and a problem solver.
• Possess therapeutic core conditions and effective soft skills.