MHPSS Counselor

The Terre des hommes Foundation (Tdh), with headquarters in Lausanne and an office in Zurich, is the leading Swiss child rights organisation with more than 2000 employees worldwide. We stand together with children to uphold their rights, protect their lives and improve their well-being. We achieve this through innovative programmes focused on health, migration and access to justice, specially designed to have a positive and sustainable impact.

Tdh has been working in Afghanistan since 1995 and carry out projects related to Child Protection, Mother and Child health and Livelihood Programs in Kabul, Balkh, Kunar and Nangarhar provinces.

Job Summary :
Under the direct supervision of project officer/ medical doctor with the technical support of child Protection advisor in province, MHPSS Counselor is responsible for providing individual and group psychosocial support and basic mental health counselling services to vulnerable individuals, including children, adolescents, and adults affected by conflict, displacement, poverty, gender-based violence, or other psychosocial stressors The position ensures that services are delivered in a confidential, ethical, culturally appropriate, and professional manner, in line with national and international MHPSS standards

Main responsibilities:

1. Mental Health & Psychosocial Support Services

• Conduct individual and group counselling sessions to address stress, trauma, grief, and other psychosocial issues.

• Provide psychological first aid (PFA) and emotional support to clients in crisis.

• Use standard psychosocial assessment tools to identify needs, risks, and appropriate interventions.

• Maintain confidential and secure case records and follow organizational data protection protocols.

• Provide psychosocial support services and coordinate referrals for clients requiring specialized mental health, protection, health, or social services

• Ensure all aspects of work are in line with Tdh MHPSS intervention guidelines, key aspects of Psychological First Aid (PFA) and relevant aspects of IASC guideline.

2. Referral & Case Management

• Identify and refer clients to specialized services (medical protection) as needed.

• Strengthen and maintain referral pathways with relevant service providers.

3. Community Outreach & Awareness

• Lead awareness sessions on mental health, coping strategies, stress management, and psychosocial wellbeing.

• Engage communities to reduce stigma related to mental health issues.

• Conduct community mobilizations activities in coordination with supervisors and partners.

• Prepare and deliver training for the purposes of capacity-building on psychosocial support, including PFA and case management training, where appropriate.

4. Reporting & Coordination

• Prepare daily/weekly/monthly reports on counselling activities, referrals, and outreach and submit to the supervisor on a regular basis.

Education :

Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Social Work, Counselling, Mental Health, or related field.

Experience / Skills :

• Minimum 3 years of relevant experience providing psychosocial support, counselling, or mental health services in BPHS/EPHS facilities, hospitals, NGOs, INGOs, or humanitarian programs.

• Knowledge of psychosocial assessment and basic counselling techniques.

• Ability to provide individual and group psychosocial support interventions.

• Knowledge and application of Psychological First Aid (PFA).

• Familiarity with IASC Guidelines on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings.

• Understanding of child protection principles, safeguarding, confidentiality, and Do No Harm approaches.

• Knowledge of referral pathways, case coordination, and protection services.

• Understanding of GBV referral pathways and survivor-centred approaches.

• Ability to maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality.

• Strong documentation, reporting, and record-keeping skills.

• Ability to work effectively with children, adolescents, caregivers, and vulnerable populations.

• Cultural sensitivity and ability to work respectfully within diverse communities.
  

Languages:

Fluency in oral and written communication in Local Languages.

IT knowledge :

Microsoft Office package

Tdh General Code of Conduct and Ethical Policies :

• Commits to promoting and complying with the Global Code of Conduct, systematically reporting any violations of the Code through Tdh's formal reporting mechanisms and dealing with any violations of procedures and processes appropriately.

• Raises awareness of the Foundation of the risks of policy non-compliance, violence and abuse, and related rights, towards children, community members and our own employees.

• Undertakes to comply with key ethical policies and guidelines, including the Safeguarding Policy, the Anti-Fraud and Corruption Policy, the Conflict-of-Interest Policy and other policies related to the prevention of terrorist financing and criminal activities, as well as workplace behavior.

• Commits to putting values and principles into practice through exemplary behavior, in full compliance with the Code of Conduct, and always respecting established procedures and processes.

• Commits to developing a compliant and enlightened management culture within the organization and in our work with children and the communities in which we operate.

References :

Please note that all job offers will be subject to satisfactory references and checks (criminal record and anti-terrorism funding check). Terre des hommes will ask the Human Resources of previous organisations to provide references on any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment as well as fraud and corruption, during employment, or incidents under investigation at the time the candidate left employment.

Procedure:

Only complete applications (updated and accurate CV + covering letter) received through Tdh online application platform will be processed. It is essential that all information provided is complete, truthful and verifiable, as any discrepancies may affect your eligibility in the recruitment process.

Additional documents (diplomas, work certificates, etc.) will be requested at a later date. 

Please note that

• Only applications submitted through the online platform will be considered. Applications submitted by email, in person, or through other means will not be accepted.

• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for the next stages of the recruitment process.

• Tdh upholds the principles of equal opportunity, diversity, and inclusion, and maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward any harm, abuse, or exploitation of children or vulnerable adults by staff, representatives, or partners.

• Female candidates and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. Tdh values the diversity, perspectives and contributions each individual brings to the team.