Psychosocial Counselor Mid Level

Job Description

1. Position Description :Psychosocial  Counselor

Employer: Sunrise Children Association Inc. (SCAI) Australia

Reporting To: Program Manager, SCAI Nepal

Contract period: Until June end 2019 (following a 3-month probationary period), with possibility of extension past June 2019 based on performance and project need.

Types of contract: Periodical (renewal on 6 monthly bases after June 2019)

Location: Based in Kathmandu with frequent visits (75%) to Nuwakot and other program districts as per need.

2. Position Overview

SCAI Australia’s work focuses on the protection and development of disadvantaged and vulnerable children and youth and their families in Nepal.  SCAI is implementing various programs in Nepal, taking a holistic development approach, aimed at reducing poverty and improving the standard of living to ensure families are able to provide the basic needs for their children, including a good education and a nurturing family environment. Programs are largely centered around education scholarship programs with sustainable livelihood support. In addition, SCAI runs a residential child care home, a reintegration program (including youth program) and community school support in partnership with local NGO/NGOs.

SCAI, through these projects, aims to provide temporary support, strongly believing in empowering targeted groups to improve their livelihood condition, make them independent, and prosperous. SCAI believes that family and community are the key influencers on preserving and promoting the best interest of children, and hence developing positive personalities, increasing interpersonal skills and strengthening psychosocial wellbeing of the targeted group is vitally important. In this context, SCAI is looking for a highly motivated, committed candidate who is interested to join our team and help develop psychosocial wellbeing and maximum potential of the people we serve.

The position holder  will work closely with partner NGO’s and all stakeholders, including schools, RMs, civic society and governmental line agencies at project level while implementing the sustainable livelihood program.

3. Responsibilities

Overall;

• Be familiar and adhere to the Mission, Vision, Values, Strategy and Objectives of SCAI.
• Be familiar with and abide by the rules, regulation, guidelines and policies of SCAI.
• Be familiar and strictly adhere to the code of conduct of SCAI.
• Be actively involved in all stages of project lifecycle – Research & assessment, Planning (including Budgeting), Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation for psychosocial and youth development program.
• Be responsible for the youth development and psychosocial support program and work closely with the SCAI team, partner NGOs, civic, governmental agencies including, community and stakeholders for the successful implementation of program.
• Provide feedback on program guidelines for timely updates based on regular assessment, key learning and feedback from beneficiaries and stakeholders.
• Keep up to date information about the latest career opportunities for the youth and government policies, directives, and initiatives targeted to children/youth/families.
• Actively search for case studies of success stories from Nepal and other developing countries with respect to how psychosocial interventions have helped, and develop networks of like-minded organisations for sharing and learning
• Be aware and respect the cultural value and gender sensitivity of the society.
• Ensure SCAI is appropriately represented and acknowledged in all activities at program and promotional level.
• Adopt participatory approach wherever possible, and mobilize the community to be actively involved for long term program sustainability.
• Be free from the political influence of any parties and the political activities.

Specific;

Reseach and Assesement

• Study governmental policy, literature, media and case studies; explore the opportunities in connection to psychosocial wellbeing, career growth for children and overall progress for family.
• Study governmental website, notification and explore the scholarship opportunities for youths.
• Study governmental bylaws in relation to citizen subsidies for health and other social security issues.
• Explore latest issues and development in terms of psychosocial wellbeing of community.
• Explore the latest government subsidies and targeted programs for  youth

Program management

• Develop a strategy and quarterly plan for research/assessment, program implementation, follow up and evaluation.
• Assist with family tracing and identify and manage cases in need of psychosocial support in conjunction with NGO staffs, visit the site, carry assessment and provide psychosocial support as needed to the people we work with.
• Conduct life skills training and counseling to youth, children, family and staff as and when needed and ensure their psychosocial wellbeing is properly maintained.
• Undertake necessary psychosocial interventions and conduct individual, family and group counseling as per need.
• Facilitate formation of women’s groups in relevant areas
• Conduct stress and anger management session for the people we work as and when required.
• Provide moral support and guidance to the people we work with.
• Conduct psychosocial training for the staffs, teachers, social workers and community leaders and facilitate/build a community based mechanism for psychosocial support.
• Refer people with mental illness if higher level of service/specialized care is needed.
• Ensure the social security of the all youths, children under the program. Work in coordination with the local Child Protection Team and Education Team to address any issues and ensure the progress and development.
• Facilitate youth to have their access on formal, informal and technical courses available to their locality and at national level as per their feasibility.
• Facilitate youths to ensuring their access on scholarships, discounts and other opportunities.
• Build and maintain relationships with other NGO’s, private institutions and government departments at project level so  to take advantage of all available opportunity for the overall development and progress of children and their family .
• Build and maintain relationships with job placements and recruitment agencies, private companies, NGO’s and government departments to assist youths to find meaningful employment.
• Provide regular, well-researched advice on job opportunities, technical, vocational and formal courses to all youths from class 8.
• Plan; facilitate standard life Skill, Peer Education and other personality development workshops/seminars and trainings for youth.
• Orient youths for application and CV writing, communication and interview skills.
• Build discipline, morality, social value, ethical sense and positivity among staff, children, youth and family.

Monitoring/Coordination and Reporting

• Monitor the activities of staff, school teachers and other key influencers to make sure that they are performing for the psychosocial wellbeing of children and family we support.
• Monitor the residential child care home, reintegration and education scholarship programs through regular field visits to ensure the successful implementation of intervention from psychosocial prospective.
• Coordination with relevant stakeholders and other parties for ensuring the linkage and coordination.
• Prepare regular child and family progress report of the programs as per the requirements of the organization.

Others

• Carry any other task assigned by SCAI.

4. Remuneration

Salary and allowances

• The salary is attractive for the suitable candidate, subject of negotiation depending on the candidate’s educational background, skills and experience.

Other

As per orgnaization policy

Job Specification

 Qualification and Competencies

• Nepalese citizenship
• Experience in facilitating training/workshop/seminar, coordination (with authorities and stakeholders), and reporting ability.
• Good knowledge of life skills, peer education, psychosocial support, individual, family and group counseling, stress, anger management skill and child protection issues.
• Extensive knowledge of career guidance, vocational training and job placement research.
• Very good command of English (written and verbal), MS Office and documentation
•  Ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines and with minimal supervision
• Having sound social background and special respect to children and marginalized families.
• Confident and willing to go for extensive field visits, working and staying in remote areas.
• Female, matured and confident, with high level of integrity, positivity and team attitude.
• Ability to build a strong rapport with children and youths from diverse and marginalized backgrounds.
• Motorbike or scooter license strongly preferred.

Note: The job description is subject to revision as required.

Apply Instructions

SCAI Australia is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages people from all backgrounds to apply. Eligible candidates are encouraged to apply with an application letter stating the suitability of candidate for this position.

A latest CV, passport size photo, copy of citizenship should be attached along with application. Application must be submitted by 9th Dec 2018, 5pm to scaiaustralia@gmail.com.

Applications received after deadline will not be accepted. Candidates from disadvantaged groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

Only shortlisted candidates will be notified for selection process.

Telephone enquiries will not be entertained. SCAI Australia requires that everybody associated with it abide by the Child Protection Policy.

A candidate needs to submit police report prior to final appointment.

This Job is expired. The Company is no longer accepting applications for this position.