Psychological Counsellor (Community Based-Beneficiaries)

INTERSOS is a non-profit Humanitarian Aid Organization that works to bring assistance to people in danger, victims of natural disasters and armed conflicts. Established in 1992 with support from the Italian Federation of Trade Unions, its actions are based on the values of solidarity, justice, human dignity, equal rights and opportunities for all people and respect for diversity and coexistence, paying particular attention to the most vulnerable and the unprotected.

INTERSOS identifies with the core values of CONCORD, the European Confederation of NGOs; it adheres to international codes of conduct for humanitarian organizations and the values and principles expressed within those codes. INTERSOS is recognized by the Italian Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the European Commission and the principal UN agencies; it is privileged to hold an advisory status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
INTERSOS is an independent association which, through its own humanitarian operators, intervenes to effectively answer the needs of people in serious crises situations, mainly in the world's poorest regions, who are suffering, deprived of rights, dignity and essentials goods. It maintains a flexible operating structure. The head office in Italy coordinates, supports and monitors the planned activities in the countries of intervention carried out by decentralized offices.

Job Purpose

Provide coaching and supervision to outreach volunteers on MHPSS including PM+, PSS; PFA both on an individual and group level, and support INTERSOS by promoting staff self-care-individual and group.

Generic Duties

1. Assess the needs of the targeted beneficiaries in the affected community, in collaboration with the relevant staff of the MHPSS mini project;
2. Support INTERSOS protection staff in promoting self-care activities-Produce a plan and submitted to the Protection manager;
3. Report to Protection Manager any problems and/or training needs identified during the monitoring of the implementation of psychological activities-MHPSS project;
4. Create a weekly or Bi-weekly schedule and submitted to line manager;
5. Provide CWs general psychological feedback and progress after each psychological session to help in the case management process (if applicable), while respecting client confidentiality, as support for the Case Worker to developed and revise the Case Management action plans;
6. Inform the Protection manager about any difficulty met in INTERSOS activities implementation;
7. Be available to train on psychological support, MHPSS and Psychological first aid INTERSOS staff when requested;
8. Collaborate with INTERSOS staff in conducting any other trainings when requested by the Protection Manager;
9. Accomplish any other assignments given by the supervisor;
10. Be available to participate in meetings in INTERSOS offices or other identified premises, and external working cluster related to the MHPSS (sub-working group);
11. Contribute in the selection of the OVs based on pre-determined criteria (to be provided by INTERSOS);
12. Conduct an individual assessment of each OV (85) to determine the capacities, skills and mental health well-being;
13. Provide the OVs and INTERSOS staff members with an introduction on MHPSS;
14. Produce a Self-care plan for OVs;
15. Ensure that the OVs are aware and practicing self-care;
16. Conduct a refresher on safe-identification and referral of cases in need of mental health services;
17. Identify profiles of cases to be handled by OVs as part of their implementation of group PM+;
18. Set the target of the number of persons each OV should conduct group PM+ with per session and per week/per month;
19. Draft the supervision flow and referral process between the psychologist, case manager, OV coordinator, OVs, referrals to PHC (in 2021 Haouch El-Harime, and might be expanded as areas of coverage and number of PHCs or psychiatric facilities in 2022) and the supported cases,

Specific Duties:

(Can be adapted to the particularities of the job location and the requirement of the project. This section shall be revised whenever a new employee is hired).

1. Receive INTERSOS staff when needed for individual counselling and stress coping mechanism;

2. Contribute in creating support groups and individual counselling with beneficiaries under MHPSS project;

3. Inform CWs about cases that need mental health referral, after the basic psychological session provided;

4. Assist the CWs in referrals to mental health agencies (PHC, psychiatric hospitals and shelters).

Reporting:

• Produce a monthly narrative report reflecting activities, trends, challenges, recommendations;
• Produce weekly or biweekly schedule and submitted to the supervisor;
• Support the OVs and OV coordinator to ensure reporting on the designated MHPSS platform;
• On a weekly base, the psychologist will provide the protection manager a plan of her/his activities during the week, to be developed in deep in the monthly report.

Competencies: (Knowledge, Skills & Abilities)

Professional Competencies:

• Minimum 3 years of relevant work experience in a clinical setting and with at least 2 in NGO;
• Understanding and commitment to child’s rights and protection;
• Experience providing individual counseling services and PM+
• Computer literacy (Word, Excel, Outlook);
• Analytical and reporting skills;
• Driving license more than 2 years.

Behavioural competencies:

• High confidentiality and respect;
• Cultural awareness.
• Ability to work under pressure;
• High degree of adaptability and flexibility;
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Teamwork
• Planning and Organizing
• Initiative
• Humanitarian motivation and commitment to INTERSOS values
• Respect of Intersos policies and procedures