Psychosocial Counselors (2 Position)

SOS Children’s Villages invites applications from suitably qualified and interested candidates who fulfill the eligibility criterion for the below position.

Position                                  : Psychosocial Counselors (2 Position)

Location                                : Jowhar (1) and Balcad (1)

Duration                                : 3 years

Responsible to                        : CP/GBV Project Coordinator

Job Summary:

Under the supervision of the CP/GBV Coordinator the Psychosocial Counselors: Coordinates, Supervises & Manages provision of GBV Response Team’s Protection services to Persons of Concern living in Jowhar and Balcad. Additionally, the Psychosocial Counselors are responsible for reporting on a monthly basis on all GBV protection activities undertaken by the Response team. The Psychosocial Counselors will supervises the professional development of Para-Counselors by designing and delivering trainings as needed, providing guidance in the field and ensuring the quality of services provided. S/he will work and liaise closely with the GBV Officers, Para counselors and Child Protection team on documentation of programme activities as per the donor requirements.

Key Area of responsibility:

• Provide comprehensive psychosocial counseling to SGBV survivors focused on the survivor centered case management approach.
• Provide assessment and counseling both at individual and group level as the situation demands management approach.
• Ensure all work with SGBV survivors is confidential and that ethical practices are observed.
• Document client data accurately in the intake forms and ensure they are under lock and key.
• Ensure that the GBVIMS is accurately updated on a regular basis.
• Take lead in the interpretation of the analyzed data on trends and work with Protection manager to disseminate information to all relevant stakeholders.
• Take lead in the development of the case management monitoring tools and systems and ensure that all staffs that are required to utilize it are trained on the correct way of handling the systems.
• Conduct sensitization and capacity building sessions with the wider population about issues of trauma and GBV.
• Facilitate formation of support groups for survivors of GBV and other vulnerable groups.
• Identify and strengthen Community structures through engaging community leaders and other stakeholders to ensure that the survivors receive adequate support at the community level.
• Support the GBV officer and Protection Monitors, in dissemination of relevant information during the Community GBV prevention forums and meetings.
• Work in close collaboration with the GBV officer to ensure on-going needs of at-risk groups, women and girls are being met in the prevention related activities.
• Strengthen existing referral systems and networks of psychosocial service providers
• Conduct regular case conference meetings with the GBV Response team both at individual and group levels.
• Take lead in the preparation of accurate reports for all psychosocial related activities

• Bachelor’s Degree/Diploma in Psychology, Social Work or other Social Science related field.
• Minimum 2 years’ experience in providing psychosocial counseling to survivors of GBV
• Fluent in written and spoken English and Somali language
• Good understanding and experience of working in Middle Shabele especially Balcad and Jowhar is a definite advantage.
• Good team player; able to take direction and work collaboratively with others.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including empathic listening
• Ability to communicate in a highly professional manner with clients, community members and professional partners.
• Sound knowledge of gender issues in humanitarian settings, particularly GBV, including relevant international human rights, principles and established international standards (i.e: CPMS, GBVIMS, etc.)
• Able to complete required reporting and documentation within the set deadlines
• Highly motivated, creative, and compassionate person who is dedicated to ensuring that models of best practice are utilized.
• Able to uphold high ethical and professional standards
• Able to maintain the highest levels of confidentiality.
• Positive attitude towards community work with emphasis on the ability to learn from communities and support innovative approaches to problem solving.
• Ability to promote the values of equality, non-discrimination, and human rights for all

Child Safeguarding Policy: SOS Children’s Villages International holds strict child safeguarding principles and a zero-tolerance policy for conducts of sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse in the workplace and other places where the organization’s activities are rendered.  Parallel to technical competence, recruitment, selection and hiring decisions will give due emphasis to assessing candidates value congruence and thorough background checks, police clearance reference check processes. 

Interested applicants should send their applications with a CV and scanned copies of your academic and professional certificates indicating telephone numbers and three referees to: this email [email protected]

Indicating with subject line of the position/location.

Closing date is 24th March, 2023.

Competent Female candidates are encouraged to apply.

Only short listed candidates will be contacted.