Counselling Psychologist at Jesuit Refugee Service

JRS-KENYA

Vacancy Announcement

Counselling Psychologist

Department: Psychosocial Department

Location: Nairobi, Kenya

Reports to: Country Program Officer

Organizational Context

The Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) is ministry of the Society of Jesus, incorporated as an international non-governmental organization with a mission to accompany, serve, and advocate for the rights of refugees and forcibly displaced people. The organization was founded in November 1980 and now has a presence in over 56 countries. JRS undertakes services at national and regional levels with the support and guidance of an international office (IO) in Rome. The style of JRS service is human and spiritual, working in situations of greatest need, seeking the long-term well-being of refugees and displaced people while not neglecting their immediate or urgent needs.
The main services provided are in the field of education, reconciliation, livelihood activities and psychosocial support. Currently, more than 724,000 individuals are direct beneficiaries of JRS projects. In Kenya, JRS has two projects: an urban refugee project in Nairobi focusing on Education and Livelihoods and field project in Kakuma Refugee Camp focusing on Education, Integrated psychosocial inclusive Education programme in Centers and Safe Shelters.

Key Responsibilities

The position, under the supervision of the Country Program Officer will perform his/her duties in support of the Livelihoods and SNHU department and International office psychosocial support department. S/he will perform below tasks

· Screen identified children for psychosocial and protection concerns and make recommendations for treatment plans based on this screening

· Collaborate with teachers, other members of the multi-disciplinary team and parents to develop implement, and monitor progress of Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) that help ensure success for children who have disabilities

· Provide psychosocial support to students and parents while referring them for further services when needed

· Collaborate with the Inclusive education team to design and implement psychosocial intervention strategies and programs

· Maintain strict confidentiality regarding student health and academic records.

· Develop child-friendly social and emotional learning activities to be carried out for children in the safe shelters.

· Develop/update training modules on child-friendly psychosocial support methodologies and carry out training to SNHU students and beneficiaries to assist in the implementation of program services.

· Support the other projects like IE in Kakuma as requested.

· Work with the SNHU Project coordinators, Project coordinator-Livelihood, Inclusive Education Coordinator, Psychosocial Support Officers and other team members, to ensure clear individual case management support for individual students is established and maintained.

· Maintaining good working relationships with support networks, implementing partners, and community resources.

· Offer any other support in the project as may be required.

Key Performance Indicators.

· The Specialist collects and uses assessment data to understand students’ psychosocial and protection challenges and to select and implement evidence-based support.

· The Specialist, as part of the multi-disciplinary team, conducts psychoeducational assessments including a variety of assessments (both formal and informal) according the requirements.

· The Specialist develops multidisciplinary reports that are comprehensive.

· The Specialist engages in consultation and collaboration at the individual, family, group, and professional level and at various stages of intervention.

· The Specialist respects individuals’ rights to privacy and confidentiality as consistent with the JRS Code of Conduct.

· The Specialist actively seeks and participates in professional development opportunities, reflects critically on own strengths and weaknesses, and identifies professional development needs

Qualification and Competencies

· A diploma/degree Psychology or Counselling Psychology

· Registered with KCPA

· In-depth understanding of child-focused psychosocial support and protection including assessment of needs and concerns.

· At least three (3) years of professional experience in an NGO and/or international organization

· Good knowledge and experience in providing psychosocial support to children, students and other beneficiaries.

· Demonstrated leadership skills, including the proven ability to be part of a team

· Strong interpersonal, oral, and especially written communication skills.

· Ability to problem-solve, multi-task, determine priorities, take initiative, maintain high levels of self-motivation, work as part of a team and independently as and when required, and in multi-cultural settings

· Commitment to and understanding of JRS, values and principles and policies.

· Fluency in written and spoken English

· High levels of computer proficiency including MS Office suite package

Desirable:

o 3 years’ experience in community work preferably with NGOs in Nairobi

o Previous experience in international organizations

o Previous experience with a faith-based NGO is an added advantage

o Commitment to and understanding of JRS, values and principles and policies.

o Fluency in written and spoken English

o High levels of computer proficiency including MS Office suite package

o

Core values and ethics

o Commitment to JRS’s mission, vision and values; ability to convey with enthusiasm JRS’s role in accompanying and serving forcibly displaced people and to advocate for their right to protection and a life in dignity

o High integrity, honesty and confidentiality; ability to deal tactfully and discreetly with people, situations and information

o Acceptance of diversity and inclusion as a core value

Terms and Conditions

Contract is for One year, renewable, with an initial probationary period of Three months. The JRS remuneration policy is aligned with the JRS ethos to offer effective and professional services and at the same time express solidarity with the people served. **