Counselor Educator

WHAT IS MSF ?

Médecins Sans Frontières/أطباء بلا حدود  بلا أطباء (MSF) is an international, independent, medical humanitarian organization that delivers emergency aid to people in 70 countries who are affected by armed conflict, epidemics, natural disasters and exclusion from healthcare. MSF offers assistance to people based on need, irrespective of race, religion, gender or political affiliation and our actions are guided by medical ethics and the principles of neutrality and impartiality.

We offer basic healthcare, perform surgery, fight epidemics, rehabilitate and run hospitals and clinics, carry out vaccination campaigns, operate nutrition centers, and provide mental healthcare. Our activities include the treatment of injuries and disease, maternal care and the provision of humanitarian aid. Where necessary, we set up sanitation systems, supply safe drinking water, and distribute relief to assist survival.

A FEW WORDS ABOUT THE PROJECT

The project started in Sept. 2013 in Shatila, where MSF currently manages an outpatient center for chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs), vaccination services with transversely integrated mental health services and health promotion, and referrals for patients who require services beyond the scope of MSF activities. Additionally MSF opened a women’s health center with sexual and reproductive health care.
During 2018, low risk deliveries were relocated from Shatila to Rafik Hariri University Hospital compound, where MSF runs a Birth Centre. MSF took this as an opportunity to work together with external partners as catalyst for change around midwifery model of care and demedicalization of deliveries. The antenatal care services remains in the camps, to serve the most vulnerable women.
In Bourj el Barajneh camp, besides the above mentioned activities, MSF provides in addition home based care for those patients who are housebound or bedridden often due to an advanced NCD disease.

Here a short video about BC

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

Perform counseling and/or education sessions to patients, following different medical and mental health MSF protocols and procedures, in order to improve their pychosocial condition.

MSF clinics are located in Shatila and Bourj al Barjne camps and the selected candidate may be based in either or both camps. Work hours are currently 8:00 am to 4:30pm, however, there is a probability  of evening or weekend sessions in the future, depending on the development of project activities.

DETAILED ACCOUNTABILITIES

Identify the psychosocial, socio-economic and administrative needs for patients

Actively promote the availability of counselling services and carry out, individual or in group counseling, basic psycho educational sessions, to patients, their families (when needed), in order to alleviate their psychosocial difficulties within the project scope.

Refer patients to other specialists or other institutions for further assistance, when necessary in order to propose the best support available.

Participate in the creation of any material needed for counseling activities and look after it,

Keep files and statistics of daily activities and participate in team meetings to share experiences and discuss special cases with other counselors, preserving confidentiality

Inform line manager of any problem of any kind arising during the day-to-day activities.

Take active part in trainings, supervisions/intervisions and support the activities manager when necessary in doing sensitization for MSF staff or external partners about mental health /psychosocial issues.

Discuss difficulties and problems in counselling with supervisor.

ADDITIONAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

Conduct assessments, establish a treatment plan and follow up mild cases, referring moderate to severe cases to the psychologists.

Prepare and conduct individual and/or group sessions, these groups include, but are not limited to teenager mothers, care givers support, chronic disease patients.

In collaboration with the HP team, design and conduct sessions for men’s after working hours groups.

Prepare materials and conduct group sessions for adolescents mainly NCD patients

Implementing the sexual Gender based violence protocol, identifying possible victims of SGBV and referring them to the medical team and psychologists so that they receive the necessary treatment

Rotate between Bourj Al Barajne and Shatila camps, conducting awareness, psychoeducation,  training sessions etc… in identified NGOs, community groups and the clinics.

Assess patients and if necessary refer for psychiatric support, following the protocols and in collaboration with the MH supervisor. Conduct home visits for the home based care patients, developing their individual treatment plans.

This position involves working with both sexes and all ages of patients, individually and in group.

REQUIREMENTS

Education: Essential degree or diploma in Counseling, social work, psychology or other similar degree/diploma

Experience: Minimum 1 year experience. Experience with NGO desirable.

Languages: Fluency in English and Arabic are essential

IT skills: Desirable computer literacy (word, excel and internet)

Soft Skills: Results and Quality Orientation, Teamwork and Cooperation, Commitment to MSF Principles, Stress Management