Terms of Reference (ToR) for Pyschosocial Counsellor

Center for Dalit Women Nepal

Shankhamul Marg, New Baneshwor

Kathmandu, Nepal

Terms of Reference (ToR) for Pyschosocial Counsellor

Position Title: Psychosocial Counsellor

Employment: Part Time

Duty Station: Kathmandu

Reports to: Team Leader

Contract Duration: 3 months

1. Background : 

Center for Dalit Women Nepal (CDWN) is a national non-governmental organization committed to empowering Dalit and marginalized communities to claim their rights, achieve economic independence, and live with dignity. Established in March 2016 by Dalit women activists and parliamentarians, CDWN works across Nepal to promote inclusive governance and eliminate all forms of discrimination.

In partnership with Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), CDWN is implementing the project titled “Humanitarian Relief and Transitional Support for affected Families by Displacement Program”. The recent eviction of informal settlements along the river corridors of Kathmandu Valley has created a significant humanitarian challenge affecting thousands of urban poor residents. Many families living in these settlements depended on informal employment, including daily wage labor, domestic work, street vending, transportation services, recycling activities, and other low-income occupations that enabled them to survive in an increasingly expensive urban environment

The project aims to support the emotional well-being, psychosocial health, and resilience of students and women living in squatter settlements and other vulnerable/displaced communities. Individuals in these communities may experience stress, anxiety, family-related challenges, social exclusion, displacement-related concerns, economic difficulties, violence, and other circumstances that may affect their emotional well-being and ability to learn, participate, and function effectively in their daily lives. 

To respond to these needs, the project will engage a qualified Counsellor to provide individual and group counselling, identify underlying psychosocial concerns, facilitate appropriate interventions, and strengthen the capacity of teachers and families to provide supportive environments for children and women.

2. Purpose of the Position : 

The Counsellor will be responsible for providing professional, confidential, and culturally sensitive psychosocial and counselling support to students and women from squatter settlements and other vulnerable/displaced communities. The Counsellor will assess the emotional and psychosocial needs of beneficiaries, identify underlying causes of stress and emotional distress, provide appropriate counselling interventions, develop individualized follow-up plans, facilitate group counselling where required, and support teachers and families in creating safe and comfortable environments that promote emotional well-being and learning.

3. Roles and Responsibilities

She/He shall perform, but not be limited to, the following duties and responsibilities.

A. Identification and Assessment of Psychosocial Needs

• Conduct initial assessments of students and women and identify underlying issues affecting stress, emotional well-being, behaviour, relationships, learning, participation, and daily functioning.
• Assess the nature psychosocial concerns and determine appropriate counselling and follow-up support.
• Identify cases requiring specialized services and facilitate referrals to appropriate service providers in accordance with established referral mechanisms.
• Maintain appropriate documentation of assessments, interventions, referrals, and follow-up while ensuring confidentiality.

B. One-to-One Counselling

• Conduct confidential individual counselling sessions with students and women based on their identified needs.
• Support beneficiaries in understanding and managing stress, emotions, interpersonal challenges, self-esteem issues, family concerns, and other psychosocial difficulties.
• Develop individualized intervention and follow-up plans based on the needs of each case.
• Provide appropriate referrals for cases that require specialized mental health, protection, medical, legal, or other services.

C. Development of Follow-up and Intervention Plans

• Prepare case-specific counselling and follow-up plans following the initial assessment.
• Design appropriate activities and intervention tools to address identified concerns.
• Develop structured session plans for follow-up counselling based on the progress and changing needs of beneficiaries.
• Monitor the progress of individual cases and revise intervention plans when necessary.

D. Group Counselling and Psychosocial Activities

• Organize and facilitate group counselling sessions where common psychosocial concerns are identified.
• Conduct psychosocial orientation sessions for families living in squatter settlements and other vulnerable/displaced communities.
• Raise awareness among families about emotional well-being, stress, coping mechanisms, communication, and supportive family relationships.
• Conduct group sessions on topics such as stress management, emotional regulation, self-esteem, communication, relationships, coping skills, resilience, and other relevant issues.

E. Consultation and Support for Teachers

• Conduct consultation sessions and support teachers in identifying signs of stress, emotional difficulties, behavioural changes, social withdrawal, and other concerns among students.
• Provide practical guidance on how teachers can communicate with and support students experiencing emotional distress.
• Promote a supportive and non-stigmatizing approach toward students experiencing psychosocial difficulties.

4. Case Management, Documentation and Confidentiality

• Maintain confidential and updated records of counselling cases, assessments, intervention plans, follow-up sessions, and referrals.
• Develop a systematic case documentation and follow-up mechanism in line with organizational policies.
• Ensure that personal and sensitive information is protected and only shared with authorized persons on a need-to-know basis and in accordance with applicable safeguarding and confidentiality procedures.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries with all beneficiaries.
• Immediately follow established safeguarding and referral procedures when serious protection or safety concerns are identified.
• Prepare periodic summaries of counselling activities and emerging psychosocial trends without disclosing personally identifiable information.

5. Qualifications and Experience

The successful candidate should possess the following qualifications, professional experience, and competencies:

Education

• At least Bachelor's degree or higher in Psychology, Counseling Psychology, or a closely related discipline from a recognized university.
• Counselling training certified.

Professional Experience

• Minimum of three years of professional experience in providing psychological assessment, counseling.
• Experience working with NGOs, INGOs, government institutions, hospitals, or community-based mental health programmes is highly desirable.
• Proven experience in reviewing psychological tools and protocols.
• Experience in community mental health, suicide prevention, crisis intervention, trauma-informed care, disability inclusion, and safeguarding is highly desirable.
• Experience working with multidisciplinary teams and coordinating with different service agencies, development partners, academic institutions, and professional bodies will be considered an asset.

6. Reporting 

The Part-time counsellor will report directly to the Team Leader

7. Working Arrangement

This is position requiring approximately working days per month, with flexibility based on programme priorities and organizational needs.

The position will be based at Kathmandu with working arrangement that includes office-based work, virtual technical support, and field visits to project locations as required. 

The position is expected to maintain regular communication with programme teams, participate in scheduled meetings, and remain available during agreed working days to provide timely technical support.

8. Required Supporting Documents

Interested candidates are requested to submit the following documents:

• Cover Letter expressing interest in the position and demonstrating suitability for the role.
• Updated Curriculum Vitae highlighting relevant education, professional experience, and technical competencies.
• Copy of Nepali Citizenship Certificate and PAN.
• Copies of the highest academic qualification certificates and academic transcripts.
• Copies of relevant work experience letters or employment certificates.
• Contact details of at least two referees, including one recent supervisor.
• Valid Nepal Health Professional Council Registration Certificate. (if available)

(Note: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Original documents must be presented during the interview or prior to appointment for verification.)

Applying Procedure: Interested candidates are requested to send the required documents at cdwn2021@gmail.com by 23 August 2026, 17:00 hrs. Please include "Application for Psychosocial Counsellor" in the subject line.

CDWN reserves the right to shortlist or not to shortlist any or all applicants without assigning any reasons whatsoever. Inter-party district-level.

CONTACT: info@cdwn.org, 014796420