MHPSS Counselor 

Job Description

About IRC (International Rescue Committee):

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is dedicated to responding to the world’s most severe humanitarian crises, providing life-saving care and transformative assistance to those forced to flee war or disaster. Established in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC operates in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, restoring safety, dignity, and hope to millions uprooted and in need. In Afghanistan since 1988, IRC’s programs span humanitarian relief, early recovery, and development activities, focusing on child protection, education, economic well-being, health, and power.

Compliance with Policies:

At IRC, compliance with the IRC WAY (professional conduct standards) and Safeguarding Policies is a shared responsibility. There is a zero-tolerance approach to IRC Code of Conduct violations, including safeguarding violations by staff, consultants, contractors, volunteers, interns, suppliers, vendors, sub-grantees/partners, and associates.

Job Description:

General Duties:

• Program Management
• Deliver one-on-one and group counseling sessions within IRC Clinics, aligning with the IRC’s integrated approach.
• Develop psychosocial activities, community mobilization, and awareness-raising initiatives.
• Support MHPSS Supervisor in training delivery and workshop facilitation.
• Assist in creating materials, including publicity documents.
• Engage with the community to deliver and promote IRC MHPSS project activities.
• Contribute to monthly, quarterly, and annual reports, as well as monitoring and evaluation activities.
• Implement preventive MHPSS interventions at the community and PHC level.
• Coordinate referrals and other tasks assigned by the MHPSS Supervisor or MHPSS Coordinator.

Specific Duties:

• Provide MHPSS consultations within PHC setting, offering individual or group consultations to beneficiaries.
• Assist in identifying psycho-social needs and propose interventions in collaboration with the mental health team and PHC staff.
• Weekly reporting activities and data collection.
• Coordinate with MHPSS supervisor on cases requiring higher-level interventions.
• Provide psycho-social support for mental health beneficiaries, developing individualized treatment plans.
• Work with community mobilizers to adapt activities according to the needs of different target groups.
• Participate in defining effective and culturally appropriate community-level approaches and interventions.
• Focus on information dissemination and collecting opinions to foster knowledge and self-care practices.
• Initiate and facilitate group interventions.
• Analyze, detect, and reduce risk factors influencing mental health status at the community level, collaborating with other concerned actors.

Job Requirements:

Education: Degree in Psychology, Counselling, Social Work, Psychiatric Nursing, Nursing diploma, Midwifery diploma, or related field from a recognized institution.

Experience: At least 1 – 2 years of professional experience in relevant fields.

Skills: Strong communication and facilitation skills, experience in the humanitarian sector (MHPSS programs), knowledge of counseling and community mobilization methods, proactive, ability to work with a multicultural team, effective communication in local languages and English.

Technical Competency:

Communication and reporting skills.

Fluency in Pashto, Dari, and English.

Computer skills (MS Word, Excel, Access, and internet).

Submission Guideline:

For IRC- Afghanistan Internal Candidates:

Employees are encouraged to remain in a position for at least one year before applying for another position.

Apply here

Note: Applications without the given link and/or online system will be disqualified. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for a written test and interviews. If not contacted within TWO or FOUR WEEKS after the closing date, consider your application unsuccessful.

IRC Afghanistan Country Office, Qala-e-Fathullah, Street # 3, District 10, Old UNOCHA Office, Beside Fatemia Mosque.