Terms of Reference for Psychosocial counsellor (ToR)

Terms of Reference for Psychosocial counsellor (ToR)

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has fundamentally shifted Nepal’s socio-economic outlook and its efforts to achieve Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development, including SDG 5 on gender equality. Women, in particular single women, and adolescent girls have also had to bear a disproportionate burden of unpaid domestic work, hampering their work and leading to reduced opportunities for economic activities and education. The impacts on health, economy, security and social protection are all compounded for women and girls. Adding to the health crisis, is the devastation brought by floods and landslides resulting from heavy monsoon rains. In Nepal, GBV also manifests itself through context- specific forms such as harmful practices, which include child marriage, dowry, and witchcraft accusations. Crises change social and cultural structures quickly, which can serve as opportunities to redefine gender norms and contribute to addressing deep-seated power inequalities and harmful practices.

Center for Dalit Women Nepal (CDWN) and Nepal Dalit Sewa Samaj is jointly implementing a project entitled “Pathways from Trauma to Empowerment-Fostering Social Norms Change through Storytelling and Collective Mobilization (Hamro Sahakarya)” in six local Government Units (LGUs) of Bagmati (Banepa Municipality and Mahabharat Rural Municipality) and Madesh Province (Barahathawa, Malangwa, Haripurwa Municipality, and Bhramhapuri Rural Municipality. The project is funded and supported by UN Women and Government of Finland. The overall goal of this project is to enhance collective leadership and socio- economic opportunities for the women and excluded groups to respond to post COVID-19 impact and tackle structural gender inequalities. In this context, the project “Hamro Sahakarya” include initiatives to strengthen the availability and accessibility of helplines and counselling, including through community-based networks and counsellor. It will also promote help-seeking behavior by conducting sensitization, training and providing referral pathways among women, girls and excluded groups experiencing GBV, or those at risk of GBV.

In this context, CDWN seeks professional psychosocial counsellor to provide quality counselling service mainly at Kavre and Sarlahi through telephone and online platforms.

The Psychosocial Counsellor will provide professional and confidential counselling services to individuals and groups experiencing psychological, social, or emotional challenges. The role focuses on offering support, facilitating recovery, and empowering individuals to overcome barriers to mental health and well-being

Objectives: The primary objective of psychosocial counsellor is to identify and provide professional counselling services to women, females, children surviving gender based violence ensuring their psychological well-being and emotional resilience.

Key Responsibilities

1. Assess and provide Individual and group counselling:

• Provide quality counselling services to women at the community level through telephone and online platforms.
• Offer support for clients dealing with gender-based violence, grief, family conflicts, or other crises.
• Develop tailored intervention plans based on assessments and client needs.
• Use validated tools to diagnose psychological and emotional disorders.
• Develop case stories, session reports, and news pieces as required.

2. Support in Crisis Building:

• Deliver awareness sessions and psycho-educational programs for targeted groups
• Maintain updated list of essential services including psychosocial counselling and legal support that are available for people including from the most vulnerable and excluded groups at the local level focusing project location and beyond.
• Work in close coordination and collaboration with grass-root women’s organization and local level programs.

3. Service linkage and coordination:

• Establish and maintain referral pathway with police, legal aid services, health facilities, community organization to support women living with severe mental health conditions and psychosocial disabilities for treatment and care, in coordination with relevant stakeholders and service providers.
• Collaborate with OCMCs to ensure survivors of violence and trauma have access to integrated services.
• Guide clients in accessing legal aid, filing reports with the police, or seeking medical attention when required
• Act as a liaison between the client and service providers to ensure their rights and needs are addressed effectively.

Qualification and Experience:

• Educational Background: A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Psychology, Counselling, Social Work, or a related field. Specialized training or certification in counselling or psychosocial support is an advantage.
• Professional Experience: Minimum 2 years of counselling experience, preferably in sector of women, children, vulnerable and marginalized population is preferred.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in computer application.

Skills:

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Proficiency in local language (Bajika, Maithali and Nepali) is an asset.
• Ability to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to build trust and establish rapport with clients.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care and gender-sensitive approaches.
• Proficiency in psychosocial assessment and intervention techniques.
• Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with integrity.
• Cultural competence and an understanding of the local context.

Working Conditions

• The role may require travel to project locations (Sarlahi, Kavre).
• Flexibility to work evenings or weekends when necessary.
• Exposure to emotionally demanding situations and clients.

Submission to cdwn2021@gmail.com

• A cover letter (max 1 page)
• Updated CV (max 3 pages), with Minimum of two reference contact details (mobile and e-mail), including the current employer.
• References will only be taken once your express permission has been granted.
• Samples of previous case handled with session detail and assessment conducted.

Deadline for submission: 22 December 2024. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for the selection process. Telephone enquiries will not be entertained.

Note:

• Applicant must mention the expected salary and project name in the cover letter. Without expected salary in cover letter may cause of disqualify for shortlisting process.
• CDWN is committed to identifying and developing the skills and leadership of people from diverse backgrounds. Especially for this position candidates from dalit, ethnic communities and women are encouraged to apply.