Psychosocial Support Counselor

HEWAD Reconstruction, Health & Humanitarian Assistance Committee is a non-governmental, non-political, and non-profit charity organization established in 1994. The organization is dedicated to providing medical, educational, social, and humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan, particularly those in need. HEWAD implements primary health care services and prioritizes the delivery of healthcare to the most vulnerable populations, especially women and children. Additionally, HEWAD promotes health education and access to essential services aimed at improving the overall living conditions of Afghan communities.

Commitment to PSEA (Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse):
HEWAD maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA). We are fully committed to ensuring a safe, respectful, and protective environment for all beneficiaries and staff. HEWAD promotes a strong culture of accountability and takes all allegations of SEA seriously, with prompt action taken in line with HEWAD established PSEA policy.

The PSS Counselor will be stationed in the hospital hosting the Psychosocial Counseling Centres (PSCCs) ,providing confidential and culturally appropriate psychosocial support and awareness about the PSCC service as well as information of available specialized mental health services to male clients at the hospital. The Counselor will provide individual and group psychosocial support, and conduct awareness-raising activities for men and boys on psychosocial wellbeing, stress management, available support services, and appropriate help-seeking. The Counselor will assess the psychosocial and mental health needs of male clients and provide tailored support to help alleviate distress associated with stressful events, trauma, and other psychosocial concerns, while strengthening linkages and referrals between the hospital, and available specialized mental health and other relevant services. A key responsibility will be to identify male clients requiring additional or specialized support and facilitate safe and timely referrals to appropriate mental health, protection, health, and other relevant services, as available. The Counselor will follow established referral pathways and ensure appropriate follow-up, while maintaining confidentiality, informed consent, safety, and the dignity of clients throughout the referral process. 

• Key Responsibilities:

  1. Psychosocial Support:

  ●       Provide individual psychosocial support to men and boys. Deliver Psychological First Aid (PFA) to those in immediate distress, in accordance with established protocols. .

  ●       Facilitate group PSS sessions with men and boys to support shared experiences and promote positive  coping mechanisms and appropriate help seeking behaviours.

  ●       Offer tailored psychosocial support to address symptoms related to  trauma, anxiety, depression, and other psychosocial  issues, within the scope of the counselor’s role, with the goal of maintaining good psychological well-being.

  ●       Ensure timely referral to other services as per need and adhere to the referral guidelines, informed consent requirements and confidentiality standards .

  ●       Collaborate with relevant stakeholders in the hospital, and the community to ensure that beneficiaries receive the necessary follow-up support

  ●       Conduct awareness-raising sessions with men and boys on health, available psychosocial support services within the PSCC.

  ●       Promote a supportive environment within the PSCC and hospital  for beneficiaries to openly discuss any issues of psychosocial distress.

  2. Service Documentation and Reporting:

  ●       Maintain accurate records of the number of beneficiaries accessing PSS services as per shared documentation tools.

  ●       Responsible for maintaining and confidentiality of all clients and data.

  ●       Document case studies following the guidelines and shared with PSS supervisors

  ●       Complete any task assigned by the supervisor related to reporting, documenting the type of services provided, and reporting on service delivery criteria.

  ●       Observe the PSS service delivery gaps and report them to the PSS Supervisor, advocating for improvements where necessary.

  3. Coordination and Supervision:

  ●       Participate in regular supervision sessions with the PSS Supervisor to ensure service quality and address challenges.

  ●       Coordinate with the hospital management team, mental health focal points, other service providers, community health surahs, community health workers and other FHH staff to ensure holistic and comprehensive support for beneficiaries.

  ●       Follow the organization and donor-approved policies and protocols

  ●       Perform other tasks assigned by the supervisor.

  Qualifications and Experience:

  ●       Diploma or bachelor  degree in Psychology, psychosocial counseling, social work or related field.  

  ●       Minimum 1–3 years of relevant professional experience in psychosocial support, counseling, mental health, or related humanitarian/community-based services.

  ●       Demonstrated knowledge and practical experience in Psychological First Aid (PFA), Psychosocial Support (PSS) and referral mechanisms.

  ●       Experience working with men and boys and engaging communities on mental health and psychosocial wellbeing is an advantage.

  ●       Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

  ●       Ability to maintain confidentiality and work in a respectful and culturally appropriate manner.

  Skills and Competencies:

  ●       Ability to assess psychosocial needs and deliver appropriate interventions.

  ●       Knowledge of mental health issues, particularly related to trauma, anxiety, and depression.

  ●       Skilled in providing both individual and group PSS services.

  ●       Strong organizational skills and attention to detail in documenting services.

  ●       Capacity to work collaboratively within a team and with community actors.

Email / Application Form: 

https://forms.gle/kx8XeWijQSLGY8879