Counsellor Educator at Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) - France

Médecins Sans Frontières is a private, not-for-profit international humanitarian organization dedicated to providing medical assistance to populations in distress, without discrimination and regardless of race, religion, creed or political affiliation. MSF has been active in Katsina since February 2021 after carrying an exploratory mission that end up with an opening of the project. Currently, MSF is running two ITFCs (Inpatient Therapeutic Feeding Centre) in Katsina in the Kofar Sauri PHCC and Turai Yar'adua PHCC and 5 ATFC (Ambulatory Therapeutic Feeding Centre) including three in Jibia LGA (Magama, Daddara, Riko,) one in Mashi and one in Katsina City (Kofar Marusa).

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Counsellor Educator

Location: Katsina
Working Hours: 208 working hours per month

Main Purpose

• Provide counseling and/or psychoeducation support to caregivers/patients, following MSF’s medical and mental health protocols and procedures, in order to improve their psychosocial condition.

Job Description

• Identify the psychosocial, socio-economic and administrative needs of caregivers/patients.
• Actively promote the availability of counseling services.
• Within the scope of the project, perform individual counseling, group counseling, psychoeducation/awareness and psychological assessments to caregivers/patients and their families (when needed), in order to alleviate their psychosocial difficulties.
• Refer patients to other specialists or other institutions for further assistance, when necessary, in order to propose the best support available.
• Participate in the creation of any material needed for counseling activities and look after it.
• Keep files and statistics of daily activities.
• Participate in team meetings to share experiences and discuss special cases with other counselors while maintaining patient confidentiality.
• Inform the line manager of problem of any kind arising during the day-to-day activities.
• Take active part in trainings and supervision and support the MHS/MHAM when necessary, in doing sensitization for MSF staff or external partners about mental health /psychosocial issues.
• Discuss work-related difficulties with the MHS.
• In the ITFCs and ATFCs, conduct rounds of the wards/treament areas once daily to retrieve all non-urgent mental health  referrals.
• Liaise with the medical team to be informed about the patients’ medical condition in order to provide holistic care for caregivers/patients identified as needing mental health support.
• Participate in weekly individual / group supervision sessions with the MHSAM.
• Attend and participate in all trainings planned by the MHSAM/MHAM to improve skill / knowledge on aspects of mental health treatment.
• Provide counselling for SV survivors and victims of SGBV.
• Replace depleted referral forms within the ITFC wards / ATFC treatment areas.
• Plan and facilitate therapeutic interventions for caregivers/patients (for example, psychostimulation sessions for adults and children).
• Engage in continuous learning by utilizing the various mental health manuals available within the mental health unit.
• Conduct initial psychological assessments of all caregivers/patients referred for mental health support in the ITFCs/ATFCs.
• Provide follow-up mental health counselling for all caregivers/patients receiving mental health treatment using the MSF-approved models of mental health care.
• Consistently and accurately update the caregiver's file in the mental health unit.
• Consistently and accurately write progress notes that are kept in the patients’ file on the Wards.
• Appropriately discharge caregivers/patients who are no longer in need of mental health treatment.
• Ensure that the patient register within the mental health unit is consistently updated and keep an accurate account of all current patients referred for mental health support.
• Liaise with the families of caregivers/patients receiving mental health support to provide holistic care.

Requirements

• Education: Diploma in Psychology, Counselling or Social Work (or other similar degree/diploma in the Social
• Sciences)
• Experience: Essential: 1 years’ experience in Mental Health, Social Work, Counselling
• Desirable: Experience working with NGOs/ iNGOs
• Languages English Language essential; Fluency in reading, writing and oral comprehension.

Knowledge:

• Ethical
• Confidential
• Professional
• Empathic
• Adaptive coping skills
• Results- and quality-oriented
• Teamwork and cooperation
• Behavioral flexibility
• Stress management skills
• Communication skills
• Commitment to MSF Principles.

Remuneration

• According to MSF salary scale plus 13th month allowance equivalent to 1 month of gross salary.

Application Closing Date
21st August, 2025.