Job Description

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

Position title     :            Mental Health & Psychosocial Support Counsellor (MHPSS)

Reporting to      :            Medical Doctor in Charge

Location              :            Baidoa

Job summary:

The Mental Health will provide support to the health team through conducting awareness sessions, home visits to beneficiaries and Identification of individuals in need of MHPSS services, provision of accurate referrals to MH services, support the integration of MHPSS services into primary health care services. The Mental health will be responsible for planning and providing support and medical and nursing care to people. The position holder will work under the direction and support of the Hospital Medical Doctor in Charge.

Responsibilities:

• Assess and talk to patients about their problems and discuss the best way to plan and deliver their care
• Build relationships with patients to encourage trust, while listening to and interpreting their needs and concerns
• Ensure the correct administration of medication, including injections, and monitor the results of treatment
• Respond to distressed patients in a non-threatening manner and attempt to understand the source of their discomfort
• help patients manage their emotions through de-escalation techniques
• Provide evidence-based individual therapy, such as cognitive behaviour therapy for depression and anxiety
• Prepare and maintain patient records and produce care plans and risk assessments
• Work with patients' families and carers, to help to educate them and the patient about their mental health problems.
• visit patients in their home to monitor progress and carry out risk assessments with regard to their safety and welfare
• Provide psychoeducation sessions for MHPSS clients and their respective families
• Ensure all aspects of work are in line with WHO mhGAP intervention guidelines, key aspects of Psychological First Aid (PFA) and relevant aspects of IASC

To carry-out any other duties and/or responsibilities assigned by the Supervisor

Experiences and Qualifications

Job competencies:

Essential

• A Bachelor’s degree in Counselling, Social work, Psychology or a higher diploma in Counselling.
• Understanding of the IASC Guidelines on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings
• Good interpersonal skills, written, and oral communications skills.
• Commitment to Humanitarian Principles and respect for medical ethics

Child Safeguarding Policy:

SOS Children’s Villages Somalia 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. SOS Children’s Villages organization is committed to safeguarding the rights of the children and therefore, is expected that every individual who joins with SOS Children’s Villages Somalia understands his/her responsibility in protecting and keeping children always safe.

Skills Required

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