Duration: 4 Months
Reporting to: Counselling Psychologist
Vacancy Description
The intern/volunteer will assist in the provision of counseling and other psychotherapeutic interventions to vulnerable and at risk refugee clients in emotional and psychological distress including those with mental health challenges impairing their normal functioning.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Program Management
Assist in management of operations of the field office
Assist in implementing the strategic objectives at the field office and ensure strategic alignment for all activities in the field office
Assist in implementing project work plans for the field office
Ensure efficient case management, documentation and filing at field level
Ensure adherence to HIAS policies, procedures, ethics, professional standards and best practices that bring in operational efficiencies and improve service delivery and client satisfaction
Actively participate in regular staff meetings in the field office
Provide Psychosocial Services
Provide individual and group counseling services and other short term therapeutic services to refugees referred to the field office and keep continuous counseling notes
Conduct psychological assessments and Mental Status Examinations and prepare and submit the reports to the Counselling Psychologist
Ensure appropriate psychosocial assessment and diagnosis of all the psychological cases are in line with the DSM-V and ICD-10, WHO Mental Health Atlas among others
Participate in counseling treatment programs and ensure the provision of technical assistance and training for clinical staff in order to establish and maintain appropriate treatment protocols resulting in the increase of the recovery of clients in line with national and international standards and guiding principles by UNHCR, IASC, SPHERE Project WHO among others
Assist in provision of social assistance (FA, food, transport, clothes and other material assistance) and ensure adherence to finance SOPs
Assist protection officers in organizing and mobilizing for committee meetings, dialogues and other activities.
3.) Reporting
Ensure timely, quality and comprehensive reports for official work done
Prepare and provide weekly, monthly reports and quarterly reports and data to the Counselling Psychologist
Prepare a success story quarterly for purposes of web updates and fundraising
Ensure updated personal database
Ensure up to date record keeping
Coordination, Partnership and Networking
Participate in crisis intervention
Assess refugees in need of psychiatric care, refer for needed services in consultation with the counselling psychologist, monitor progress, and prepare file notes
Follow up and monitor all referral cases and ensure timely turnaround of assessment reports and other interventions.
Attend sector related forums as required
Monitor use of resources for accountability and efficient use of the organizations resources.
Attend all relevant internal and external meetings
Required Qualifications
A degree in counseling psychology from a recognized university
Have at least one year of training experience
Skills and Competencies
Knowledge of Computer Applications such as Ms-ACCESS, Ms-EXCEL and Ms-WORD
Ideal candidate should have a keen awareness and a good knowledge of psychosocial issues and the complexities of working on these issues with a refugee population;
Strong analytical and report writing skills and proven ability to conduct psychological assessments
Experience in planning and implementing psychosocial project activities including facilitating individual and group therapy and training.
Experience working with children and child therapy, with good knowledge of child rights and protection
Have group facilitation skills and experience
Good team player with excellent cross-cultural interpersonal skills
Proactive and able to work under minimal supervision while exercising diplomacy, flexibility and assertiveness
Ability to confront and discuss sensitive issues with respect and able to uphold high standards of confidentiality
Experience in trauma counselling, preferably in the NGO sector.
Knowledge of refugee protection and assistance will be an added advantage
