MHPSS Counselor

Job Description

·       Select a client-friendly and secure place/corner/room for organizing consultation and awareness-raising sessions, ensuring compliance with confidentiality and privacy-related issues in the field.

·       Conduct psychosocial counseling sessions with individuals or group discussions for all target and vulnerable clients, providing required treatment, specific dignity kits, and offering volunteer referral services.

·       Keep a special focus on maintaining the confidentiality of all clients’ individual consultation and referral data/records, limiting access to official use only.

·       Identify the most vulnerable and affected individuals in internally displaced and host communities through awareness-raising, regular health education, and OPD triage.

·       Report and share any unexpected or security-related issues immediately with the line manager or project office.

·       Work with local communities to help identify and refer vulnerable and shock-affected individuals from the host community and IDPs.

·       Advocate for local community support to minimize further harm to the vulnerable population via awareness-raising and health education.

·       Assist target communities in developing and adapting safety plans for life-threatening situations, considering local context and available resources.

·       Ensure all possible measures are in place to protect the confidentiality and privacy of all clients to avoid any unwanted stigma, harm, or life-threatening conditions.

·       Prepare and submit daily reports regarding consultations, referrals, and dignity kits distribution to the team leader/in-charge.

·       Ensure active participation in local community mobilization activities in consultation with the team leader.

Organize exclusive psychosocial counseling sessions for eligible clients visiting as individuals or in small groups, ensuring full compliance with privacy and required technical counseling techniques and communication skills.

Regularly and properly register all clients and document all data according to standard reporting tools and formats, ensuring that no unauthorized staff or individuals have access to client personal profiles or counseling data sheets.

Responsible for distributing dignity kits to all eligible clients according to the project/CARE developed criteria, recording it properly, and providing necessary orientation to the recipients, primarily handled by female PSC in the health facility.

Maintain close coordination within the health facility for internal referrals of people with mental health issues, GBV victims, survivors, or those at potential risk needing immediate counseling support and kits.

Regularly report all counseling and kits distribution activities to the health facility in-charge and project supervisor, maintaining proper documentation and performance records in the target health facility.

Responsibilities on Safety and Security, Gender and Inclusion, and Safeguarding and Child Protection:

[Base location] at CARE are expected to adhere to Safety & Security responsibilities, emphasizing team and individual accountability to maintain a safe environment. This includes readiness, compliance, and active engagement to mitigate risks through awareness, reporting, and policy enforcement.

Gender equality and inclusion are fundamental at CARE, promoting equal rights and challenging discriminatory norms to achieve social justice. We foster an inclusive workplace that respects diverse gender identities, abilities, backgrounds, and experiences through dialogue, training, and diversity initiatives. All CARE staff must uphold ethical standards, following codes of conduct to prevent abuse, including sexual harassment, exploitation, and neglect. Regular monitoring ensures accountability to uphold these principles and support our mission of social justice and poverty alleviation.

Safeguarding Responsibilities:

·       Uphold CARE’s Safeguarding Policy (https://www.care-international.org/resources/care-international-safeguarding-policy) and Safeguarding Code of Conduct.

·       Must read the Safeguarding Policy and either sign the Safeguarding Code of Conduct or sign a Code of Conduct that is consistent with or references this policy and Safeguarding Code of Conduct.

Safety and Security Responsibility:

We all have a responsibility to promote a safe and secure work environment, foster a safety and security culture, and ensure consistent application of and compliance with CARE Afghanistan safety and security policies and procedures.

Job Requirements:

Education:

·       He or she should hold a diploma in psychosocial counseling or a bachelor’s degree in clinical psychology from a recognized institute within the country or abroad. A bachelor's degree in psychosocial counseling or a master's degree in clinical psychology is preferred.

Experience:

·       The candidate must have at least one year of previous experience in the provision of psychosocial counseling services in BPHS-related health facilities or a similar working context. More than one year of relevant work experience in a similar project context with the same scope of work, such as clinical psychology, is preferred.

He/she is responsible for professionally handling mental health/psychosocial problems of individual clients, providing proper orientation to visitors and, if needed, close family members upon request and consent of the patient. For any community-level problems, the staff is obligated to directly report to the health facility in-charge and field supervisor for necessary support.

Submission Guideline:

Please submit your completed CARE Standard Job application form (ACBAR: Application Form) along with an updated CV to afg.vacancies@care.org. Applications received after the closing date (12:00 AM) and without the CARE Application form will not be accepted.

Please indicate the position title and Vacancy Number in the Subject Line (MHPSS Counselor CARE-AF-1180 Balkh); otherwise, your application will not be considered.

Please note that there are no telephonic inquiries, and only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for an interview. The successful applicant will be expected to undergo a Background Check, Bridger check & Reference check and comply with and sign CARE Afghanistan’s Code of Conduct, PSHA (Prevention from Sexual Harassment, Exploitation, and Abuse), and other CARE Afghanistan policies prior to a final offer being made.

CARE IS COMMITTED TO CHILD PROTECTION POLICY (Available at: http://bit.ly/CAREAFG_Child_Protection_Policy)

Equal Opportunity Statement:

CARE is an Equal Opportunity employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex, religion, ancestry, national origin, age, disability, marital status, or veteran status, or any other characteristics protected under applicable law.

MDS (Misconduct Disclosure Scheme):

CARE participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we hereby request information from the candidate’s previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the candidate left employment. All offers of employment are subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms his/her understanding of these recruitment procedures.

Submission Email:

Afg.Vacancies@care.org