Assistant Counseling Psychologist

HIAS Refugee Trust of Kenya (HRTK) – Kenya Office
Job title: Assistant Counseling Psychologist (Three Positions)
Country: Kenya – Duty Station Nairobi

Job Description and required qualifications
(Important Note - Position open to Kenyan nationals only)
Under the supervision of a Counseling Psychologist, the incumbent will perform the following functions:
 Assist in directing the operations of a HRTK field site with regard to psychosocial assistance and  supervise a field team of social workers and incentive workers;
 Assist in implementation of a coordinated multispectral psychosocial field office and psychosocial response strategy;
 Assist in providing counseling services and other short term therapeutic services to refugees referred to the office in individual and group settings;
 Assist in conducting psychosocial/mental status assessments and prepare related reports; assess refugees in need of psychiatric care, refer those in need to a psychiatrist and monitor progress;
 Conduct home visits to assess individual psychosocial needs;
 Liaise with the Child Protection Officer in the implementation of a comprehensive child protection strategy ensuring participation and best interests of the child, care & protection and realization of child rights;
 Assist in conducting Best Interest Assessments/Determinations and present BID cases to the BUD panel;
 Liaise with the SGBV officer in the monitoring, documentation and intervention in SGBV cases;
 Assist in the development of training materials and facilitate internal and external capacity building activities on a variety of topics, including psychosocial support, SGBV, child protection and PSN;
 Assist in training and support to psychosocial peer educators;
 Assist in identifying and assessing the individual needs of refugees at heightened risk and present cases to the psychosocial panel;
 Assist in overseeing provision of social assistance as needed;
 Ensure up to date record keeping including case preparation, keeping continuous counseling notes and daily records;Assist in providing support to social workers and incentive workers in the tracking of ndividual
cases, updating status, and maintaining client database etc.;
 Assist in preparing periodic reports and collect, analyze and compile psychosocial services data for their field site;
 Assist in follow-up and monitoring general case status and processing of refugee cases and prepare field site’s weekly casework plans;
 Work with partner agencies in the provision of and referral for services and attend stakeholder  meetings; and
 Ensure services are offered in a professional and ethical manner and perform other duties as required.

Education: A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in psychology, counseling psychology or its equivalent from
a recognized university. Master’s degree a plus

Skills and competencies
 Computer literacy a must with strong knowledge of ACCESS, EXCEL and WORD;
 Keen awareness and good knowledge of psychosocial issues and the complexities of working on these issues with a refugee population;
 Strong analytical and report writing skills and proven ability to conduct psychological assessments;
 Must have at a least 3 years experience in providing trauma counseling for individuals and groups  Experience in planning and implementing psychosocial project activities including facilitating individual and group therapy and training;
 Experience working with children and child therapy, with good knowledge of child rights and protection;
 Group facilitation skills and experience
 At least one year of training experience;
 Good team player with excellent cross-cultural interpersonal skills; proactive and able to work
under minimal supervision while exercising diplomacy, flexibility and assertiveness;
 Ability to confront and discuss sensitive issues with respect and confidentiality

Experience: No less than three years work experience in trauma counselling, preferably in the NGO sector. Knowledge of refugee protection and assistance a plus.
Languages:Proficiency in English and Swahili. Working knowledge of French and other languages an added advantage
Closing date:30th September 2013

How to apply
Please send a cover letter and resume to recruitment@hiasafrica.org Indicate Vacancy Notice No
HRTK/KEN/ACP/13/01 in the subject line. Applications not bearing this subject label will not be considered Important: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Canvassing will lead to immediate disqualification.

Late applications will not be considered