The Ugandan Jobline

Job Title:  Psychosocial Counselor

Organisation: HealthRight International

Duty Station:  Uganda

Reports To: Team Leader

About US:

HealthRight International is a global health organization that empowers marginalized communities to live healthy lives, with a particular focus on four program areas: HIV, Mental Health, Violence, and RMNCAH (Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health). Employing a human rights-based approach, HealthRight works closely with community-based partners to build local capacity and create sustainable programs that have a lasting impact. HealthRight leverages global resources to address local health challenges to create sustainable solutions. Since its founding in 1990 by the late Dr. Jonathan Mann, HealthRight has worked in over 30 countries, with current projects in Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe, and the United States. The Peter C. Alderman Program for Global Mental Health (PCAP) currently consists of mental health programming in Uganda, Kenya, and Ukraine. In Uganda, HealthRight implements mental health programs in collaboration with the Government of Uganda and other stakeholders.

Job Summary:  Working under the guidance and supervision of the Mental Health Technical Leader and Team Leader, the Psychosocial Counselor is directly responsible for the provision of psychosocial services and assist individuals, groups, and communities within HealthRight’s areas of operation suffering from the effects of mental disorders, torture and war trauma in order to reduce their suffering, rehabilitate and enable them to rebuild their lives and communities. The Psychosocial Counselor will employ a survivor-centered approach to ensure that the client’s wishes are respected, and their safety and confidentiality are preserved at all times through case management. The Psychosocial Counselor will also work alongside the rest of the HealthRight teams on the ground in setting up livelihood groups for the survivors of SGBV (sexual and gender-based violence).

Key Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Coordination and supervision of the integrated community-based mental health/Psychosocial (MHPSS) charged with the assessment of, appropriate Psychosocial needs/interventions, and referrals of individuals in the local community for other services.
• Facilitate group counseling sessions with clients including the selection of group members, planning the group process & group facilitation.
• Ensure that all required documentation is completed in a timely and professional manner.
• Provide comprehensive psychosocial counseling & Psychological First Aid (PFA) to address the mental health needs of the community
• Render psychosocial services to individuals, groups and communities to assist them to recover from the effects of torture & war trauma.
• Develop, plan and facilitate training for the HealthRight staff, CHEW’S, community leaders, religious leaders, support groups, Teachers, paraprofessional counselors, other stakeholders and do community awareness campaigns.
• Preparation and compiling of quality department psychosocial work plans, weekly and monthly activity reports.
• Plan and coordinate psychotherapy groups at the two Health posts and main hospital clinic mental health clinics.
• Create an appropriate networking system with other and or relevant implementing partners, line ministries, hospital departments, and community stakeholders through referrals and advocacy.
• Ensure that all work with clients is kept confidential and that ethical practices are observed at all times.
• Oversee and conduct psychosocial assessments & plan individual case management of patients on follow-up at the mental health department & ensure case management goals are properly achieved.
• Provide comprehensive psychosocial support to survivors of war trauma and torture who seek assistance.
• Design and initiate appropriate psychosocial treatment plans for war trauma and torture survivors suffering from PTSD through individual or small group psychotherapeutic sessions and supervise, as necessary.
• Sensitize, problem solve, dialogue, and mediate with the wider population in the camp about their psychosocial issues in order to raise understanding, develop coping strategies and encourage those who need psychosocial services to approach the mental health team.
• Develop referral pathways and systems, and encourage collaboration between local partners, leaders, CBOS, INGOS & Government ministries.
• Attend inter-agency meetings to improve service delivery to our clients/groups and access opportunities to showcase what HealthRight is doing in its areas of operation.
• Perform any other activities or duties assigned by his/her supervisor

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

• The ideal applicant must hold a University degree in Social Sciences (i.e. social work, counseling, sociology, psychology, gender studies, human rights, etc.).
• At least 2-3 years in-field experience within a Humanitarian, NGO/Agency in the same or similar position
• Extensive experience providing psychotherapy to individuals and groups
• Flexibility and adaptability to the changing environment
• Skilled at working as a team member
• Working knowledge of English and existing local dialect of that region
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
• Demonstrate flexibility to adapt to changing requirements and needs
• Ability to communicate sensitively and without judgment; good diplomatic and persuasion skills.
• Ability to use good judgment when making decisions and to take accountability for decisions made.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks; proven self-initiative and problem-solving abilities.
• Good computer skills including Microsoft Excel, Access, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Be able to work in a stressful setting and adapt quickly to changing environments.

How to Apply:

All applicants should send their CVs with three referees and relevant academic information to info.uganda@healthright.org

Deadline: 5^th November 2021 at 5:00pm

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