Psychosocial Counselor Educator at Medecins Sans Frontieres - Belgium

Contract Period: Indefinite

Main Purpose

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

Responsibilities and Accountabilities

• Identify the psychosocial, socio-economic and administrative needs for patients
• Actively promote the availability of counseling 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 counseling 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 counselors, preserving confidentiality
• Inform line manager of any problem of any kind arising during the day-to-day activities.
• Take active part in trainings, supervisions/intervisions 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.

Minimum Required Skills and Qualifications

• University degree or Diploma in Psychology, Counselling or any relevant Social science field is essential.
• Membership of a relevant professional body will be an added advantage.
• Solid knowledge of human relations, social sciences and interpersonal relations is required.
• Fluency in English and Pidgin language is required.

Experience:

• Minimum of 1 year previous experience in similar relevant position is required.
• In addition, previous experience with MSF or other NGO will be highly beneficial.