Counsellor/Lay Counsellor at Neem Foundation

Position Summary:  
Perform basic counselling and/or educational activities to patients, families, communities, NGO staff, teachers, other counsellors in order to improve the mental health condition of the patient.  Discuss the treatment of problems with clients.  

Job Functions: 

•  Provides a basic range of psychological services to clients.
• Consults with other professionals, regarding the evaluation and treatment of clients.
• Provides psychological assessment, testing and evaluation, referral, consultation, programme planning, chemical dependency counselling/education, prevention service/activities, individual, couples, group and family therapy.
• Interact with clients to provide assessment, testing, diagnosis treatment, case management, follow up and treatment planning, with physicians to provide consultation.
• Collaborates and cooperates in a professional manner with co-workers, other departments and other agencies in order to assure effective continuity of care and services.
• Prepares and maintains mental health notes and narrative reports of mental health activities (in the appropriate charting format).
• Maintain clients’ records, as part of the Medical records system and follows policies of records and maintenance of client confidentiality.

• Observes strict confidentiality and privacy of clients.

• Other duties as assigned.

Education:
University Degree in Psychology or any related field, Masters Degree in Psychology  is an added advantage.

Job Requirements:

• Previous training or experience with cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is an added advantage.
• Professional, expert knowledge of psychological theories, principles.
• Able to participate in evaluation, diagnosis, individual, group and family psychotherapy, crisis intervention, consultation, prevention and research such as would be obtained in a doctoral programme in psychology and in a clinical internship practice.
• Ability to communicate with children of all ages.
• High degree of skill in the psychological assessment and evaluation of people.

Language Skills: 
English Language (Fluent) and Basic understanding of Hausa language

Others:
Must have strong interest in clinical psychology; working with children, helping people rebuild  their lives and work towards the development of Borno State.

Profile of Behaviour:
Confident, attention to detail, independent judgment, self-starter, reliable, team-player, friendly, flexible, disciplined, adaptable, numerate

Added Advantage:

• Practical experience working with victims/ survivors of insurgency.

• Academic or work experience in Psychology
• Hausa or Kanuri speaking
• Knowledge of gender-based violence