Counselor Educator

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international, independent, non-profit medical humanitarian organization that delivers emergency aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, pandemics, natural disasters and exclusion from healthcare. MSF started working in Yemen since 1986 and have been present in the country continuously since 2007. Today, MSF works in 23 hospitals across the country and provides support to more than 17 health facilities across 13 governorates, in line with our principles of independence, impartiality and neutrality. For more information, visit our Arabic website, www.msf-me.org

Médecins Sans Frontières Belgium in Yemen mission is recruiting 2 Counselor Educator. Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply. Other suitable candidates will be included in a pool of casual workers  

Location: Aden office, PHCCs and outreach activities in Aden and Lahj governorates
Contract duration: Six (6) months, with the possibility of extension
Contract type: Fixed-Term contract 
Reporting to: Project Coordinator

Main Purpose:

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

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 counselling 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 counsellors, preserving confidentiality 
• Inform line manager of any problem of any kind arising during the day-to-day activities. 
• Take active part in trainings, supervisions/interventions 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.
• Contribute to MH community assessments.
• Identify the psychosocial, socio-economic and administrative needs of the target population (Migrants, vulnerable groups: women, children and others)
• For survivors of ill-treatment, ensure proper screening assessment is done and initial management given according to MSF’s guidelines
• Provide individual and family sessions for patients or those referred by external organizations
• Ensure proper follow up for patients and report on challenging cases for support
• Provide group awareness sessions and group psychoeducation sessions for beneficiaries in order to disclose availability of the service as well as identify cases
• Provide counselling services to the target population (individual or group sessions), basic psycho educational sessions to patients and families and service promotion. 
• Coordinates with the social worker, any beneficiary on follow-up requiring other support services, which are non-medical in nature
• Collaborate closely with the medical team to ensure integrated service delivery, appropriate internal and external referrals. 
• Contribute to project medical reporting and data collection by ensuring accurate, timely, and confidential complete documentation.
• Maintain an organized cabinet of patient files and reports of activities conducted, ensuring patient confidentiality 
• Submit weekly reports (quantitative/ qualitative) as per MSF standards.
• Mantain a professional and collaborative relationship with MoH staff and other relevant health actors operating in the area to support coordination and continuity of care.
• Identify and report any security concerns or contextual risks to the Operations/ Medical Coordination team.
• Provide regular feedback and reporting to MHAM/PMR regarding challenges,planning, gaps, and improvement actions.
• Attend and participate in MSF medical and project meetings and capacity building activities.
• Maintain flexibility to work across all project locations Aden and Lajh according to operational needs.

Education & Experience 

• Counseling, social work, psychology or another similar degree/diploma.
• 1 year experience is essential.
• Experience with NGO is desirable.

Languages 

• Essential written & spoken proficiency in Arabic and English. 
• Knowledge of  Oromo/Amharic/Tigrinya/Somali is Desiderable.