2023-07-10

Mental Health Psychosocial Support Counsellor – Dhobley/Kismayo, Somalia

Dhobley/Kismayo, Somalia
Posted on July 10, 2023

Lutheran World Federation (LWF)

Mental Health Psychosocial Support Counsellor – Dhobley/Kismayo, Somalia

LWF World Service is the humanitarian and development arm of the Lutheran World Federation. We are a widely recognized, international, faith-based organization working in over 20 countries. We seek to bring people of all backgrounds together in the common quest for justice, peace, and reconciliation in an increasingly complex and fragmented world.

A commitment to the human rights of every individual, regardless of their status, guides our work, actions, and operations. We are particularly known for our timely, compassionate, and professional humanitarian work, and for our field presence in hard-to-reach areas. Our work is people-centered and community- based. Above all, we work with the most vulnerable, and in order to claim and uphold their rights, we engage proactively with local government and community structures.

Our partners in Kenya Somalia Program include: Lutheran Churches and their related agencies, The European Commission (ECHO), the US Government (BPRM), WFP, UNICEF and UNHCR with whom we are key implementing partners

Lutheran World Federation Kenya- Somalia, Kismayu Program is seeking to recruit a National staff for the following position;

Mental Health Psychosocial Support Counsellor

JOB SUMMARY

The Psychosocial Counsellor will develop, implement, and coordinate psychosocial counselling services, provide support to clients through conducting awareness sessions, home visits to beneficiaries and identification of individuals in need of MHPSS services, provision of accurate referral services to other medical facilities, support the integration of MHPSS services into primary health care services. Mental Health Psychosocial counsellor will be responsible for planning and providing nursing/support to clients who have range of mental health issues.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Provide comprehensive case management psychosocial counseling to all clients focusing on the survivor centered approach.
Assess and talk to patients about their problems and discuss the best way to plan and deliver their care
Build relationship with patients to encourage trust, while listening to and interpreting their needs and concerns.
Respond to distressed patients in a non-threatening manner and attempt to understand the source of their discomfort
Help patients manage their emotions through de-escalation techniques
Provide assessments through individual and group counselling sessions to learners and children with disabilities.
Provide evidence based individual therapy such as cognitive behavior therapy for depression and anxiety
Prepare and maintain records and produce care plans and risk assessment
Work with patients and care givers to educate them about their mental health problems
Visit patients at home level to assess and monitor their progress with regards to their safety and welfare.
Provide psychoeducation sessions for MHPSS clients and their respective families
Ensure all work with clients are confidential and that ethical practices are observed.
Provide comprehensive psychosocial counselling to learners who experience or are exposed to Sexual-Gender Based Violence (SGBV).
Assist with designing, planning, implementing, as well as facilitation of training for various target groups.
Facilitate client referral and linkage to further services as appropriate.
Ensure Core Humanitarian Standards are mainstreamed in the day to day project implementation.
Prepare and submit periodic (daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, semi-annually and annual) reports of activities, evaluations, recommendations and action plans.
Assist with any other related activities as deemed necessary by the supervisor.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Diploma/Certificate in Counselling Psychology/Community Health Nursing or a related field
Proven experience of minimum 2 years working with humanitarian and development programme.
Certification and membership to professional body
An impeccable professional standard of ethics as well as the willingness and ability to implement accountability activities within the LWF World Service essential.

COMPETENCIES

Excellent computer skills in word processing, spreadsheets, use of internet and email
Excellent analytical, facilitation and documentation experience with humanitarian programmes.
Excellent communication skills including influencing negotiation and pragmatism.
Excellent interpersonal skills; the ability to liaise with a variety of people successfully and effectively in a multicultural set up.
Ability to work independently with proven hands-on expertise in case management, gender sensitivity, child protection and safeguarding.
Fluent in written and spoken English and Somalia.

A person of high integrity that will model LWF/WS Kenya Somali Program core values:

Dignity and justice
Compassion and commitment
Respect for diversity
Inclusion and participation
Transparency and accountability

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

Internal

External

Logistics Team, Section Heads, Implementing staff

County Government line ministries, Agency workers, Community stakeholders

Our recruitment and selection procedures reflect the organization’s commitment to the prevention of abuse and exploitation of beneficiaries.

Disclosure: The LWF participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme developed by the Steering Committee for Humanitarian Response, which requires LWF to conduct reference checks with prior employers including questions about employee misconduct. By proceeding with this job application, you consent to LWF requesting a Statement of Conduct from previous employers. This Statement of Conduct is requested from previous employers for all candidates for employment and provided to all employers that request it from LWF.

This position will close by July 16<sup>th</sup> 2023.

Apply Here

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