Psychosocial Counselor | Sekota, Ethiopia

Location: Sekota, Amhara

Deadline: Feb 1, 2023

Job Description

Hello Hello! Alight is recruiting a Psychosocial Counselor to be based at Sekota, Amhara region. You’re interested in joining us? Welcome, we’re happy you’re here!
If you join us, you will find…
A team with deep experience in co-designing solutions that create new value around the world. We know we need to always be better, and we believe in the power and abundance of everyday people, everywhere, to change the world with us.
A culture of radical accountability to our customers –as we help build a meaningful life for and with the displaced, we ask them what they want and then deliver on it.
Alight (formerly American Refugee Committee) is an international non-profit organization with its headquarters located in the United States. Alight has provided humanitarian assistance to millions of beneficiaries in 29 countries over the past 40 years, currently reaching over 10 million refugees, IDPs, and disaster-affected communities in 17 countries around the world, helping people regain control of their lives after conflict and natural disasters. Alight maintains full-fledged humanitarian programs in Somalia, Uganda, Rwanda, Sudan, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Pakistan, Thailand, and Myanmar.

Alight is currently in the process of responding to humanitarian situation in Ethiopia. Alight focuses on lifesaving humanitarian interventions as well as recovery and resilience building programs designed to create lasting positive change in the lives of vulnerable people. Alight works closely with displaced persons, returnees, refugees and communities affected by natural and man-made disasters, providing a range of integrated assistance including primary and curative health care, water and sanitation, protection services, restoration of strategic health and water infrastructure, dignified housing for returning refugees, and sustainable job creation. Alight has also built strong relationships with development partners, agencies, as well as federal and local governments in order to approach challenges in an inclusive and holistic manner and come up with innovative solutions that best fits the local context.

PRIMARY PURPOSE OF THE POSITION:

Under direct supervision of the Protection Manager, Psychosocial Counselor will coordinate, supervises and manages provision of GBV. He/she is responsible for reporting monthly on all GBV/CP protection activities undertaken by the Response team. Representing Alight at meetings with donors and agencies. The scope of the work would include staff supervision, development or adaptation of training & monitoring tools, trainings community members, monitoring program progress and adjusting as necessary. He/she is also tasked with providing technical assistance and guidance to mainstream protection related issues.

MAJOR/KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Provide comprehensive psychosocial counseling to SGBV survivors focused on the survivor centered case management approach.
  • Provide assessment and counseling both at individual and group level as the situation demands.
  • Ensure all work with SGBV survivors is confidential and ethical practices are observed.
  • Document client data accurately in the intake forms and ensure they are under lock and key.
  • Ensure that the GBVIMS is accurately updated on a regular basis.
  • Take lead in the interpretation of the analyzed data on trends and work with Protection manager to disseminate information to all relevant stakeholders.
  • Take lead in the development of the case management monitoring tools and systems and ensure that all staffs that are required to utilize it are trained on the correct way of handling the systems.
  • Maintain and strengthen existing networks through other service providers at the fields, to ensure that survivors receive quality services and support both at the agency levels.
  • Take lead scheduled meetings such as the Case Conferences to discuss difficult cases with other partners providing case management services and document the intervention provided.
  • Identify new networks to work with to ensure wholesome support to the clients.
  • Work in close collaboration with the GBV officer to ensure on-going needs of at-risk groups, women and girls are being met in the prevention related activities.
  • Strengthen existing referral systems and networks of psychosocial service providers.
  • In collaboration with other partners, design appropriate psychosocial interventions within the community focusing on the psychosocial needs of adults, youth and children.
  • Create and enhance new and existing referral networks between partners implementing GBV Protection programs in the implementation of referral pathways.
  • Participate in conducting trainings for partners on relevant organizational development areas and support peer learning between ALIGHT and other partner agencies.
  • Conduct sensitization and capacity building sessions with the wider population about issues of trauma and GBV.
  • Facilitate formation of support groups for survivors of GBV and other vulnerable groups.
  • Identify and strengthen Community structures through engaging community leaders and other stakeholders to ensure that the survivors receive adequate support at the community level.
  • Support the GBV officer and Protection Monitors, in dissemination of relevant information during the Community GBV prevention forums and meetings.
  • Maintain a regular system of project evaluation, using both qualitative and quantitative indicators, and feeding into program adjustments.
  • Produce a monthly protection report to be distributed to stakeholders and donors, and to be used as an integral part of ongoing advocacy efforts.
  • Ensure that activities are implemented in accordance with agreed strategies, principles, implementation plans, and donor requirement.
  • Identify protection gaps with a view to generating ideas for future projects.
  • Take lead in the preparation of accurate reports for all psychosocial related activities.
  • Appraise and mentor ALIGHT protection staff by identifying clear deliverables and providing training as needed.
  • Conduct continuous performance/evaluation for the Para counselors 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 the Psychosocial Counselors and Para-Counselors on areas related to Case Management, Counseling and other related topics to enhance professionalism.
  • Conduct regular case conference meetings with the GBV Response team both at individual and group levels.
  • Organize for capacity building forums for staff on GBV Case Management and Therapeutic Counseling techniques.
  • Perform other Duties as assigned by line manager.

Job Requirements

  • BA/Master’s degree in Psychology or related field;
  • At least 3 years of counseling and social work experience with BA degree and 2 years for MA;
  • At least 2 years of mental health and psychosocial programming experience;
  • In depth knowledge and experience of mental health and psychosocial programming in the humanitarian context essential;
  • Familiarity with IASC Guidelines on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings;
  • On hand experience in basic protection aspects;
  • A competent trainer with good experience of developing and implementing training plans;
  • Proficiency in English and local language;
  • Proficient in use of computers, able to use – Microsoft Word, Excel and Epi-Info and relevant data processing software packages. Should be conversant with use of internet and email systems.

Key Behaviors and Abilities:

  • Excellent coordination and communication skills;
  • Should have good documentation and dissemination / presentation skills;
  • Should be able to live, work and travel in an insecure environment, following strict security guidelines at all times;
  • Proven capacity to work in a quickly moving, unstable situation and work against targeted outputs with tight time frames and deadlines;
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and ability to work in a multi-cultural environment;
  • High level of confidentiality and integrity;
  • Experience of working under high pressure, in fast-paced environments;
  • Strong service orientation with the ability to proactively approach staff to understand their needs and to find effective solutions;
  • Strong organizational skills ability to handle multiple priorities in an autonomous manner.

Plus

  • COVID-19 sensitivity
  • Gender-sensitive
  • Understanding of and commitment to the “Humanitarian principles”
  • Understanding of and commitment to Alight code of conduct and organizational goal

How to Apply

Interested and qualified candidates can send to etjobs@wearealight.org before February 1, 2023, COB.

Note

  • Please, indicate the position/title applied for in your cover letter and/or subject of the email.
  • Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
  • Only qualified applicants will be short listed and contacted.
  • Open to Ethiopian nationals ONLY.

”FEMALE CANDIDATES ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY”

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