The International Assistance Mission (IAM), established in 1966, is a non-profit charitable organisation where staff from Afghanistan serve in partnership with international volunteers to build capacity in the sectors of health and development, working together in hope for the welfare of the people of Afghanistan.

Job Purpose

To provide counselling services to people with psychosocial disabilities and their family members in the targeted communities of the IAM Mental Health Programme, and to facilitate mental health training for targeted groups within the programme.

Key Responsibilities and Tasks

1. Centre-Based Services

• Deliver counselling services according to the approved schedule.
• Provide psychosocial counselling to clients and their family members.
• Maintain accurate and confidential case notes in patient files.
• Work closely with doctors and nurses to monitor and support patient progress and condition.
• Provide psychoeducation to clients and their families, including emotional support and accurate information regarding mental health conditions.
• Guide and support clients and their families throughout the rehabilitation process.
• Support IAM trainers and community mobilizers in establishing and following up on support group activities and ensure proper documentation.
• Conduct and facilitate group therapy sessions based on the needs of PPSDs, CPSDs, and their families.

2. Home-Based Services

• Visit IAM-targeted communities according to the schedule defined by the line manager.
• Identify clients who require home-based counselling services.
• Develop weekly and monthly schedules for home-based services.
• Conduct home visits to provide counselling and family education sessions.
• In close coordination with community mobilizers, identify alternative approaches for delivering counselling services to people living in remote or hard-to-access areas.

3. Training Services

• Continuously study professional mental health resources to stay up to date with developments in the mental health field in Afghanistan.
• Work closely with facilitators to develop and revise mental health training curricula for different target groups.
• Conduct mental health training sessions as planned by the line manager, either in Herat city or in targeted communities, which may require day-long travel.
• Use pre- and post-tests and other monitoring tools to assess the effectiveness of training sessions.
• Prepare and submit training reports to the relevant line manager.
• Contribute articles for each issue of the programme magazine.

1. Educational Background:

• Bachelor’s degree in clinical psychology.
• Short-term training courses in counselling skills are considered an added advantage.

2. Professional Experience:

• Minimum two (2) years of experience in counselling.
• Experience in community-based activities is an added advantage.

3. Technical Skills:

• Strong communication skills.
• Good teaching and facilitation skills.
• Proficiency in written and spoken Dari.
• Basic computer skills, particularly in office applications.
• Proficiency in counselling techniques.
• Knowledge of mental health research, best practices, and relevant policies.
• Ability to adapt counselling approaches to diverse cultural and community contexts.
• Capacity to coordinate care with other mental health professionals and social services.
• Knowledge of self-harm prevention strategies.
• Ability to conduct individual, group, and family counselling sessions.

When applying for this position, please pay attention to the following points:

• Only applications submitted using the official job application form attached in the link below will be accepted. Please send your educational documents along with the completed application form to the email address mentioned on the last page of the form.
• Please mention the title of the position you are applying for, such as "Counsellor (IAM/MHP/202522)", in the subject line of the email.
• Complete the application form in full and submit it by 26 December 2025. Applications received after this date will not be considered.
• The file and documents you send must be renamed with your name.