MHPSS COUNSELOR

As a global leader, CARE is shaping the future of the humanitarian and development sector. Each year, we deliver support and services to millions of people in over a hundred countries. We do this by focusing on our mission and living the values that drive our organization. A career at CARE is an opportunity to be part of a movement that brings communities together to solve complex problems and foster lasting change throughout the world. We seek individuals who are passionate about humanitarian and development work, collaborate well with others, embrace learning and innovation, and deliver results.

CARE’s Work Culture (What It’s Like to Work at CARE?)

CARE is a mission-driven international humanitarian aid and development organization that offers an opportunity to work with people across the world. Not a day will go by that you won’t learn something profound, meet an expert, or write a sentence that can change a life. We are committed to an environment where everyone can succeed

·       Improve access for affected and vulnerable individuals to comprehensive mental health and psychosocial counseling services, including individual and group MHPSS support.

·       Conduct regular Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) awareness/ psychoeducation sessions at health facilities to increase knowledge, reduce stigma, and promote acceptance of MHPSS services.

·       Actively encourage participation of male and female beneficiaries in individual and group counseling sessions, ensuring inclusivity, client-centered approach, cultural sensitivity, and equal access to services.

·       Establish and maintain safe, confidential, and client-friendly spaces for MHPSS counseling and group activities that uphold privacy, dignity, and protection of beneficiaries.

·       Strengthen beneficiaries’ emotional well-being, resilience, and coping mechanisms through structured MHPSS interventions and techniques and continuous engagement.

·       Support early identification and referral of individuals requiring specialized mental health services in coordination with relevant service providers.

·       Counseling and Support: Provide structured individual and group counseling sessions for clients experiencing trauma, distress, and mental health and psychosocial challenges, ensuring culturally sensitive and age-appropriate care.

·       Crisis Intervention: Respond promptly to crises and emergencies, delivering immediate psychosocial support, PFA, and stabilization interventions for individuals in acute distress.

·       Education and Awareness: Educate patients and their families about mental health and psychosocial problems, coping mechanisms, stress management, and the importance of mental and psychosocial well-being and support services.

·       Collaboration: Work closely with multidisciplinary healthcare teams, including doctors, nurses, and other staff, to integrate mental health and psychosocial support into overall health service delivery.

·       Referral Services: Identify individuals requiring specialized mental health and facilitate timely referrals to appropriate providers, ensuring proper follow-up and continuity of care.

Establish and utilize safe, confidential, and client-friendly spaces (room/corner) for MHPSS counseling and awareness sessions, ensuring full compliance with privacy and confidentiality standards.

·       Conduct and document individual and group psychosocial counseling sessions, maintain accurate records, and support clients with appropriate services, including referral to relevant services as needed.

·       Ensure strict confidentiality of all client information, limiting access to authorized personnel and using data solely for official purposes.

·       Identify vulnerable and at-risk individuals within internally displaced and host communities through outreach, awareness activities, health education sessions, and OPD triage.

·       Promptly report any security, protection, or unexpected issues to the line manager or project office.

·       Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential documentation of client interactions, progress notes, and care plans.

·       Engage in community outreach initiatives to raise awareness of mental health and psychosocial issues and promote available psychosocial services.

·       Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of mental health and psychosocial interventions and adapt approaches to improve service quality and client outcomes.

·       Collaborate with local communities and Community Mobilizers to identify and refer vulnerable and shock-affected individuals, including those from host communities and internally displaced populations (IDPs), to appropriate specialized service providers.

·       Advocate for community-based support systems to reduce stigma, prevent further harm, and promote protection of vulnerable groups through awareness-raising and health education activities.

·       Support communities in developing and adapting practical safety plans for life-threatening situations, taking into account local context, risks, and available resources.

Responsibilities on Safety and Security, Gender and Inclusion and Safeguarding and Child Protection:

[base location] at CARE are expected to adhere to Safety & Security responsibilities, emphasizing team and individual accountability to maintain a safe environment. This includes readiness, compliance, and active engagement to mitigate risks through awareness, reporting, and policy enforcement.

Gender equality and inclusion are fundamental at CARE, promoting equal rights and challenging discriminatory norms to achieve social justice. We foster an inclusive workplace respecting diverse gender identities, abilities, backgrounds, and experiences through dialogue, training, and diversity initiatives. All CARE staff must uphold ethical standards, following codes of conduct to prevent abuse, including sexual harassment, exploitation, and neglect. Regular monitoring ensures accountability to uphold these principles and support our mission of social justice and poverty alleviation.

Education: Required: Bachelor of psychology, 2-year diploma in MHPSS from a recognized university or institute within the country/from abroad.

Desired: At least graduate of one-year registered MHPSS courses conducted by a reputable institute, trained in PM+, EQUIP, Thinking Healthy, Self-help plus, mhGAP, G-IPT, MHPSS Case Management, and MHPSS Basic Helping Skills

Experience: 

·       At least one-year experience in the provision of mental health and psychosocial counseling services.

•        Proper report writing and communication skills

•        A team member with ability to work independently with minimal supervision

•        Ability to maintain professionalism/MHPSS Code of Conducts in services delivery and interaction with clients/visitors.

•        Experience in MHPSS case management including organizing individual or group counseling sessions.

•        Fluency in spoken and written Dari and Pashto/ local language is a requirement.

English Language skills is a plus point.