Position: Psychosocial Worker-Counselor                             
Location: Lahj & Abyan                             
Administrative supervisor: Project Manager
Technical Supervisor: Gender and Protection Advisor 
Reference:  25-05
Duration:  from June 01, 2025, Till July 31, 2026

ABOUT ADRA: 

The Adventist Development and Relief Agency is an independent, humanitarian agency established for the specific purpose of providing individual and community development and disaster relief.  ADRA Yemen pursue a mission of changing the world by uplifting one life at a time. ADRA International serves 117 countries and is present in Yemen since 1995. Its programs are supported by USAID, BHA, The Japan Platform, DANIDA, GFFO, BMZ, IHA Canada, UNOCHA, and WFP It has presence in 12 Governorates in Yemen responding to 8 areas of humanitarian sectors. ADRA Yemen is undertaking programs in Yemen in the fields of health, nutrition, WASH, food security, livelihoods, and protection.

Safeguarding:

ADRA Yemen organization is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of adults at risks and children in the targeted communities, as well as the welfare of all ADRA Yemen representatives. ADRA Yemen expects the post holder to adhere to and share this commitment.

All necessary measures for safer recruitment would be required, including thorough background checks.

SUMMARY:

The primary role of the Psychosocial worker will be to provide psychosocial support (PSS), Psychological first aid (PFA), mental health consultations, counseling services, and psychotherapy sessions at the Targeted Health Facility Level on a daily basis. The candidate will also provide awareness on different mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS), including but not limited to Psychological trauma, management, psychosocial well-being & coping, conflict resolution, healthy relationships, training, Children Friendly space communication skills, decision-making, substance abuse prevention, and GBV amongst others.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Psychosocial Worker-counselor will be responsible, but not limited to:

• Plan and establish regular MHPSS (Mental Health and Psychological Support) services within the project’s catchment areas in liaison with ADRA Health programs and DHO officials. 
• Use appropriate questioning techniques, tools, reflective listening, and suitable exploratory activities to identify needs, issues, and aspirations. Make use of relevant psychosocial assessment instruments and tools to identify status and possible intervention and/or referral strategies
• Plan, deliver and establishing regular individual and group-based life skills and psychosocial support sessions for beneficiaries/patients and schedule to ensure that each receives adequate time and support. This includes conducting individual, family and group psychotherapy sessions, counseling, as needed. 
• Provide clinical psychosocial consultations, assessments, initial diagnosis, evaluations, treatment, and support sessions (PSS) at the designated project locations in liaison with Psychiatrists. 
• Maintaining up to date patient records, confidential, and generate and share reports as required by supervisor and health authorities. 
• identify cases of need for further treatment and will facilitate transportation to the specialized health facilities
• provide psychosocial first aid assistance (PFA) to IDPs and host community who experienced loss of family members, lack of livelihoods means, and those who are faced by extreme stressors such as sexual violence, abuse, and neglect. 
• Develop awareness/IEC material & massages about Mental Health and Psychological Social Support (MHPSS)
• Train and sensitize staff, Community Health Workers and community members on mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS). 
• Mobilize, recruit, train, and supervise community health workers.  Support the community health workers in the catchment population to screen beneficiaries to detect early, and refer severe cases to a more specialized treatment
• Develop session plans and learning materials that reflect both current information and skills, as well as the diverse learning styles and needs of the groups.
• Liaise regularly with other project staff and external partners to ensure that the holistic needs of IDPs are met, including referral to Psychiatrists, PHC, other sectors, and service providers as needed.
• Establish and provide support and supervise child friendly rooms or spaces at project sites (health centers). 
• Participate and work cooperatively within a team environment. Take active part in supervision meetings.
• Perform other duties as assigned by direct supervisor. 
• Ensure a safe and child-friendly atmosphere within the child-friendly spaces – no physical punishment or fighting.
• Ensure that children will be safe when going to and returning from child-friendly spaces
• Survey and monitor protection needs and gaps in child-friendly spaces
• Ensure that children feel comfortable, safe, and respected.
• Be a role model and demonstrate conflict resolution behaviors.
• Ensure accurate attendance on a daily basis so that we can know who is present and who is absent.
• Conduct a daily visual assessment of the child every day to see if any children have safeguarding concerns.
• Identify children who are malnourished or who have health or psychological risks and refer them accordingly.
• Make sure children get a break so they can drink water and go to the toilet.
• Make sure to provide water and have enough water for children to drink.
• Ensure all necessary toys and equipment are accounted for and stored securely at the end of the day.
• Coordinate with parents and the community on a regular basis to keep them informed of any developments or problems within the CFS and surrounding areas
• Referring children who have protection risks to the case management department
• Participate and work cooperatively within a team environment. Take an active part in supervision meetings.
• Perform other duties as assigned by direct supervisor. 
• Adhere to the organization’s safeguarding framework, including Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA), child protection, anti-harassment, and ethical conduct policies, ensuring alignment with international standards (e.g., Core Humanitarian Standard, UN CRC).
• Promptly report safeguarding concerns or violations through designated channels, maintain confidentiality, and participate in mandatory safeguarding training to uphold a safe, inclusive environment for all stakeholders.

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS:

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent educational background, preferably in Psychology, clinical Psychology, Mental health, social work, Counseling, Nursing –with experience/post basic training in Mental Health and Psychosocial Support. 
• Minimum 2 years of previous experience in MHPSS, including PFA (Psychological First Aid), PSS (Psychosocial Support), and added advantage.
• Experience with working with community health workers, community mobilization an added advantage 
• Ability to have equal gender balance; Flexibility based on cultural fit.
• Ability to collaborate closely with community mediators, women's groups, or village elders to understand the situation and causes.
• Positive attitude and experience working with children.
• Sensitivity to cultural norms and role expectations
• The ability to relate to children and young adults
• Ability to cope with emotional situations
• Excellent listening
• Observational skills
• Verbal communication skills
• Empathy and rapport
• Excellent English and Arabic Languages (Writing and speaking) are required.
• Proficiency in MS Office (MS Excel and MS PowerPoint, in particular).
• Reporting Skills are Required

ADRA’S VALUES:

We uphold the Humanitarian Principles, our key values: 

• Connected    
• Courageous
• Compassionate