Counselor – Selamta Family Project, Ethiopia

Selamta Family Project, Inc. is a non-profit organization registered as foreign charitable organization by the Agency for Civil Society Organizations of the FDRE.

It develops forever families for orphaned and abandoned children, marginalized women, and at-risk families in Ethiopia. It does so by implementing in-country, family-based, community integrated solutions focused on prevention and restoration of vulnerable children and families through intentional relationships with one child, one family at a time. We currently serve one hundred thirty children and youth across ten “Forever Family” homes and twenty-two “Outreach Families” in Addis Ababa. For further information, visit www.selamtafamilyproject.org

SFP is in the process of expanding its programs and improving the quality of services it provides to children and families. To this end, the organization would like to invite qualified and competent applicants for the following vacant positions:

The Counselor is responsible for utilizing Selamta resources for the overall psychological, social, and intellectual wellbeing of children and families in a trauma-informed care.

Priority Tasks by Responsibility:

Psychological Support

• Develop healthy relationships with children/youths and caregivers for holistic, informed interventions.
• Serve as a focal person for caregivers in relation to support, aspirations
• Provide counseling and guidance services to individuals, families, and groups (in age-appropriate fashions)
• Evaluate mental and emotional health, and overall wellbeing of each Selamta child/youth and caregivers on regular, documented intervals throughout each calendar year
• Visit “Forever Families” regularly to assess beneficiaries’ mental and physical health, living conditions, educational progress and overall well-being
• Collaborate with relevant Selamta departments to meet the needs of Forever Families; that includes providing training and workshops
• Document all interactions, findings and update them on relevant technological platforms (i.e., salesforce.com, google drive)
• Assess, seek counsel and treat psychological issues – develop and facilitate treatment plans
• Collaborate with staff to ensure the mental health needs of families are met appropriately
• Seek external expertise for psychological treatment, counseling to supplement our services

Children/Youth and Family Development

• Prepare and facilitate developmental and life-skills training for caregivers, children/youth
• Encourage the bonds of family within each home by providing resources that will develop healthy communication and problem solving
• Develop and implement empowerment and psychological training for Selamta children/youth, caregivers
• Consult with caregivers on conflict resolution within family homes
• Recognize and reward positive life choices among caregivers, children/youth

Partnership

• Work with government agencies, other NGO’s and local professionals to provide Selamta families with the resources they need to thrive
• Leverage university and professional connections to improve knowledge and access to necessary resources for the holistic care of all Selamta families

Professional Development

• Consistently demonstrate the mission, vision, and values of the organization
• Participate in professional development conferences, workshops, and training
• Leverage online tools for professional development and research around psychosocial best practices

Budget and Cash Management 

• Work with the budget guidelines established and approved by
• Prepare a budget recommendations for designated areas of influence during the annual budget development process

Salary and benefits

• Basic Salary = 16,109.00 + Benefits = 1800.00
• 50% medical coverage (not more than the limited amount set by the organization, on annual basis)

Reports to: Psychosocial Team Leader

Requirements

• BA degree in psychology, counseling psychology, + 3 years of relevant experience [providing psychosocial services to vulnerable children and families]
• Understanding of trauma-informed care, TBRI approaches
• Willingness to work under pressure and meet deadlines
• Proficiency in ICT and ability to learn new platforms
• Strong work ethic and team spirit
• Excellent communication skills, both in written and speech [English & Amharic]
• Passionate about children and youth development
• Willing to work outside of the normal working hours, if needed