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Under the supervision of the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Supervisor, the MHPSS counsellor provides psychosocial and/or psychological interventions in an individual or group format.

The MHPSS Counsellor will liaise with the mental health team (MHPSS Supervisor and MHPSS Counsellors) on the implementation of MHPSS interventions and activities, more specifically:

General Duties

Program Management

Deliver one-on-one (Individual) and group counseling sessions to identified clients within IRC Clinics, and in line with IRC integrated approachDevelop psychosocial activities; community mobilization, awareness raising, and any other related activity requested by MHPSS Supervisor.Support MHPSS Supervisor in delivering training or workshopsSupport in the creation of materials including publicity documents.Engage with the community to deliver and promote IRC MHPSS project activities in the designated locations.Assist in writing monthly, quarterly, annual reports, monitoring and evaluation activity and progress reports of project activities including monthly reporting to the MHPSS Supervisor.Assist in the implementation of preventive MHPSS interventions at the community and PHC level.Coordinate referralsAny other related IRC tasks as assigned by the MHPSS Supervisor or MHPSS CoordinatorUnder the guidance of MHPSS Supervisor and MHPSS Coordinator support in the collection of information related to behaviors of the community to reinforce quality of MHPSS servicesCollaborate and participate, in any field survey, data collection and/or needs assessment organized by IRC in relation to MHPSSParticipation in IRC internal meetings, trainings and individual meetings with the MHPSS Supervisor or MHPSS CoordinatorThe activities may change based on the changing context

Specific Duties:

Provide MHPSS consultations within PHC setting:

Provide individual or group consultations to beneficiaries presenting in PHC or referred and in need of MH interventionsAssist in the identification of psycho-social needs and proposition needed interventions in collaboration with the mental health team and PHC staffWeekly reporting activities and data collectionCoordinate with MHPSS supervisor on cases requiring higher level interventions

Provide psycho-social support for mental health beneficiaries:

Work directly with MHPSS Supervisor to develop individualized treatment plans for MH beneficiariesIn coordination with community mobilizers use participatory methods to adapt activities in accordance to the needs of the different target groups (children, women etc)

Community mental health interventions:

Participate in defining effective and culturally appropriate approaches and interventions on the community levelFocus on information dissemination and collecting opinions to foster knowledge and self-care practices for communities in areas of interventionInitiate and facilitate group interventions

Analysis, detection and reduction of risk factors influencing the mental health status at community level:

In collaboration with the mental health team, explore and detect potential risk factors influencing mental health status of the target populationCoordinate with other actors concerned to reduce and/or eliminate potential risk factors.
Minimum Qualifications:Diploma in Psychology, Counselling, Social Works, Health social Counselling and related field from a recognized institution, while relevant bachelor is preferredAt least 1 - 2 years of professional experiences in relevant field (clinical psychology, educational psychology, Psycho-Social Counselling)Strong communication and facilitation skills,Experience working in humanitarian sector is an asset – specifically in MHPSS programsGood knowledge of counselling and community mobilization methods and toolsProactive and ability to work with multicultural team would be highly appreciatedAbility to communicate effectively in local languages both verbally and in writing.Ability to speak and write English language is an asset.Self-motivated, possessing persuasion skills, ability to maintain relationship and able to work on own initiative.Communication and reporting skillsFluency in Pashto, Dari and EnglishComputer skills (including MS Word, Excel, Access, and internet) an advantageAbility to work closely, professionally, and constructively with all others regardless of nationality, ethnicity, gender, religion, race, tribe, or cultural background
Standard of Professional Conduct:The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality.