Psychosocial Counsellor and care taker

Aasaman Nepal is going to implement SRHR and Gender equality/women empowerment including ending child marriage and harmful practices Programs in Madhesh Province, in the partnership with UNFPA(Proposed). The overarching objectives of the programs are to enhance reproductive health outcomes, eliminate gender-based violence, empower women economically and socially, and reduce child marriage. The integrated approach aims to provide comprehensive reproductive health services, promote gender equity, facilitate women’s economic empowerment through skill development and entrepreneurship, and contribute to the global effort of ending child marriage. These programs collectively strive to create a society where individuals, particularly women and adolescents, have the knowledge, resources, and opportunities to make informed decisions about their health, well-being, and future.

Aasaman Nepal is looking for the self-motivated, result oriented and hard-working Nepali citizen for the following position:

Psychosocial Counsellor and care taker (Female only)

Location: Saptari, Siraha, Dhanusha and Parsa
Position Type: Full-time

Overview: The Counsellor will play a fundamental role in providing trauma-informed counseling and emotional support to survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) residing in the safe house. This position involves offering compassionate guidance and therapeutic emotional interventions to empower survivors on their journey towards healing and recovery. The Counsellor will work collaboratively with the safe house team to create a supportive environment conducive to the well-being of residents.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Trauma-Informed Counseling:

• Provide individual and group counseling sessions to GBV survivors, addressing their emotional, psychological, and mental health needs.
• Employ evidence-based therapeutic techniques to facilitate healing, resilience, and coping strategies among survivors.
• Foster a safe and confidential space for survivors to express their feelings, process trauma, and explore healthy coping mechanisms.

2. Supportive Services:

• Conduct comprehensive psychosocial assessments to identify survivors’ strengths, needs, and goals for recovery.
•  Collaborate with the multidisciplinary team to develop personalized care plans and support survivors in achieving their objectives.
• Coordinate referrals to external service providers for specialized medical, legal, and social support as needed.

3. Crisis Intervention:

• Respond promptly to crises and emergencies within the safe house, providing immediate support and de-escalation techniques to ensure the safety and well-being of residents.
•  Implement crisis management protocols and procedures to address challenging situations effectively.

4. Empowerment and Advocacy:

• Empower survivors to make informed decisions regarding their safety, rights, and future options through psychoeducation and empowerment-based interventions.
• Advocate for survivors’ needs and rights within the safe house and the broader community, promoting a survivor-centered approach to GBV prevention and response.

5. Collaboration and Coordination:

• Work collaboratively with the safe house team, including social workers, case managers, and medical staff, to ensure holistic support for survivors.
• Liaise with external agencies, including law enforcement, legal aid organizations, and healthcare providers, to facilitate comprehensive services for survivors.

6. Nursing Support:

• Provide nursing support to GBV survivors, including administering medication, wound care, and other medical assistance as needed.
• Coordinate with the project team and Safe House Incharge to ensure seamless integration of nursing services with overall care provision.
•  Prepare daily records, food menus, and nursing care reports to maintain accurate documentation of resident care activities.

Qualifications:

• Intermediate psychology, social study, or a related field. Bachelor’s degree is preferred.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in providing counseling or psychotherapy, preferably with survivors of trauma or GBV.
• Certification or licensure as a professional counselor or therapist is advantageous.
• Strong understanding of trauma-informed care principles and best practices in counseling survivors of GBV.
•  Excellent communication, active listening, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, professionalism, and empathy in sensitive situations.
•  Proficiency in written and spoken English; knowledge of additional languages is an asset.
• Demonstrated commitment to human rights, gender equality, and social justice.

Competencies:

•  Empathy and Compassion: Ability to empathize with survivors of gender-based violence and provide compassionate support in a non-judgmental manner.
• Crisis Management: Skill in managing crises and emergencies effectively, including de-escalation techniques and ensuring the safety of residents.
• Cultural Sensitivity: Sensitivity to cultural differences and the ability to provide culturally appropriate support to survivors from diverse backgrounds.
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Capacity to work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams, including social workers, case managers, and medical staff, to ensure comprehensive care for survivors.
•  Communication Skills: Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, to effectively communicate with survivors, colleagues, and external stakeholders.
• Advocacy and Empowerment: Ability to advocate for survivors’ rights and needs while empowering them to make informed decisions about their safety and well-being.
• Organization and Documentation: Strong organizational skills to maintain accurate records, document care activities, and prepare reports as required.
• Resilience and Self-Care: Resilience to manage the emotional demands of the role and prioritize self-care to prevent burnout and maintain professional boundaries.
•  Problem-Solving: Capacity to identify challenges and propose solutions to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of support services provided to survivors.
•  Commitment to Continuous Learning: Willingness to engage in ongoing professional development and stay updated on best practices in trauma counseling and GBV response.

Languages: Strong command of Nepali, English, Maithili, Bhojpuri (oral and written) and local language preferred/required.

Aasaman Nepal has zero tolerance of abuse and exploitation of vulnerable people. We expect all our employees/volunteers to ensure we are protecting children, young people and vulnerable adults from harm and abide by our safeguarding policy.
Other Attributes for all positions: Excellent quality of work and commitment to high standards, strong communication skills, team building and willingness and motivated for good service delivery with strong networking and interpersonal skills and comfortable to work under stress and emergencies.

Age Limit: Candidates between 21 years to 55 years are only eligible to apply for the above position, depending upon the nature of job they will carry.

All employees must adhere to child safeguarding in person’s provisions covered in the project agreement.

Monitor staff and partners’ and ensure adherence to Aasaman Nepal’s policies and internal procedures, protocols, Aasaman Nepal’s code of Conduct with special attention to Safeguarding Standards and Procedure, Case Handling Framework, Child Protection and Do No Harm Policies. Also, immediate reporting and redress of any complaints and issues based on its severity.

Notes:

•  Locals, especially women and members of ethnic or marginalized communities from Madhesh Province are encouraged to apply for this position.
• Applications received after the deadline will not be considered and only shortlisted candidates will be notified for the further process.
• Canvassing at any stage of the recruitment process shall lead to automatic disqualification of the candidate.

Interested candidates are requested to submit their application filled by downloading the link below along with an updated CV and Cover Letter by 23/03/2024.

https://forms.gle/UuSjsiL8TEzbPJPQ7

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for participation in the recruitment process. No telephone enquiry is entertained. ASN reserves the right to qualify/disqualify any applications without any reason.

This job description is not incorporated into the employment contract. It is intended as a guide and should not be viewed as an inflexible specification as it may vary from time to time considering the organization work. The postholder will be expected to demonstrate high level of efficient and effective working skills to perform the responsibilities.

Tagged as: Aasaman Nepal, Care Taker, Dhanusha, NGO INGO, Parsa, Psychosocial Counselor, Saptari, Siraha