Counselor (2 Positions)

About CVT:

The Center for Victims of Torture (CVT) is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to providing trauma rehabilitative services to survivors of gross human rights abuses, including torture, and works toward a future in which gross human rights violations cease to exist and victims have hope for a new life. We are headquartered in Minnesota, USA with offices in Africa and the Middle East. We work locally, nationally, and internationally through programs that provide trauma rehabilitative services, conduct technical assistance and capacity building to human rights activists, civil society organizations, and local service providers around the world who can prevent and treat gross human rights abuses, and advocate for human rights and an end to gross human rights violations.

General Description of Role

Two positions are associated to a program designed to address the mental health needs of torture and trauma survivors living in Alemwatch refugee site, Dabat, Amhara Regional State, and conflict-affected populations in surrounding areas through direct services and capacity building of refugee and national staff.

 Main Responsibilities

• Attend, participate in, and utilize material covered in intensive initial and ongoing trainings.
• Provide psychosocial counseling and psychological first aid (PFA) to, IDPs and host communities.
• Provide assessment, individual and group counseling sessions as assigned by the Psychotherapist/Trainer
• Complete quarterly reports, progress notes, and treatment plans on time.
• Sensitize, solve problems, dialogue and mediate with the wider population about issues of war, torture, trauma and SGBV.
• Expected to become proficient with CVT’s data collection tools, conduct and submit assessments and reports in a timely and accurately.
• Work closely with the database staff to ensure quality reporting.
• Act as cultural and linguistic interpreters.
• Ensure all work with clients is confidential and that ethical practices are observed.
• Assist in designing, planning, implementing and facilitating of external trainings for numerous target groups.
• Develop new and strengthen existing referral systems with other organizations in Shire.
• Liaise with other stakeholders and partner organizations as deemed necessary.
• Engage in quality self-care through supervision, debriefings, and other shared sessions.
• Assist with any other related activities as deemed necessary by the Psychotherapists.
• This profile can be modified to adapt it to the project context in light of the project needs

Other Duties: (10%)

• Participate in other program and organization-wide activities, meetings and trainings.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Supervisor: The Counselor will be based in Dabat and report to the Psychotherapist-Trainer

Location: CVT Healing Center in Dabat, Amhara, Ethiopia/Alemwach Refugee Site. Travel to additional CVT field centers as necessary.

Terms of employment: The contract is effective from November 1, 2023 through July 31, 2024 (60 business days of probationary period) with a possibility of continuation depending on funding availability and performance.

Number of counsellors required: 2 (Two)

Required Qualifications

• Must have a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Social Work, or other related fields.
• Preferred Masters’ degree in clinical or counselling psychology
• Must have one-year experience in similar settings in an international NGO (GBV experience desirable).
• Must be fluent in English, Amharic and Tigrigna, both in written and spoken.
• Strong administrative skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including empathic listening.
• Ability to communicate in a highly professional manner with clients, community members, colleagues, and professional partners
• Able to work independently, self-motivated & ability to meet deadlines
• Problem solving and conflict resolution skills
• Able to maintain confidentiality
• Good team player: able to take direction and work collaboratively with others
• Result oriented, Flexible and able to adapt to change and very good level of self-organization
• Ability to promote the values of equality, non-discrimination, and human rights for all
• At least 2 years’ experience providing [relevant work]
• Computer skills highly desirable

General conditions

• Maintain neutrality regarding any sensitive issues such as religion, ethnicity, disability, minority or
• political affiliation
• Strong commitment to serve beneficiaries of CVT’s project regardless their religion, gender, minority affiliation or ethnic/political background
• Is strictly committed to respect CVT’s confidentiality policy and refrain from using any information that s/he will know about a client outside of CVT
• Will not approach (potential) beneficiaries for their involvement in non-CVT activities without prior approval of CVT supervisor.
• Keep absolute confidentiality on all information managed. Obligated to report any information to the supervisor when the security of CVT staff and/or of CVT beneficiary might become an issue.
• This job profile can be adapted and changed according to the evolution of CVT activities.

Competencies (Knowledge, Skills and Abilities)

Required:

• Computer literacy in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook).
• Excellent Oral and written communication skills in English and Amharic.
• Understanding of and experience implementing culturally appropriate mental health interventions, including individual, group and community-based approaches for people who have suffered torture and war trauma.
• Demonstrated flexibility and adaptability to work in challenging areas, changing conditions, procedures and/or policies, client needs, program needs, and required tasks.
• Ability to work independently and as a team member.
• Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills and demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with individuals at all levels.
• Strong leadership, analytical, problem solving, and organizational skills including effective time management and work load organization.
• Commitment to the ethical and sensitive implementation of project activities, including a commitment to confidentiality, diversity, equity, and inclusion, quality service provision, and the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment (including online).
• Ability to consistently promote and represent a humanitarian and human rights understanding of their work internally and externally, including promoting acceptance of differences and non-discrimination.
• Commitment to and role modeling of human rights approach including: maintaining respect regarding any sensitive issues such as religion, minority or political affiliation and treating colleagues equally regardless of differences. Strong commitment to serve beneficiaries of CVT’s project regardless their religion, gender, disability, minority affiliation or political background.
• Demonstrated commitment to the organization’s interdisciplinary approach in trauma rehabilitation service delivery.

Preferred:

• Skilled at carrying out needs assessment and program evaluations.
• Experience working as part of an interdisciplinary team.
• Ability to communicate in Tigrigna, Nuer, Agnuak, Agonya, or other languages spoken in CVT operation areas.