JOB DESCRIPTION

Position Title: MHPSS Counselor

Location: Herat

Grade: NAT 6

CHILD SAFEGUARDING:
Level 3: the post holder will have contact with children and/or young people either frequently (e.g. once a week or more) or intensively (e.g. four days in one month or more or overnight) because they work country programs; or are visiting country programs; or because they are responsible for implementing the police checking/vetting process staff.

ROLE PURPOSE:
The MHPSS Counsellor will provide immediate and context-appropriate mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) services to vulnerable children and caregivers affected by emergencies, with a special focus on those in border areas and informal settlements. The role includes individual and group support, community awareness, capacity-building, and coordination with humanitarian actors to ensure safe, protective environments for children.
SCOPE OF ROLE:

Reports to: (Child Protection Officer)
Staff reporting to this post: {None)
Job Description:
• Deliver basic psychosocial first aid and emotional support to children and caregivers during border crossings or displacement.
• Conduct structured individual and group counselling sessions for children, adolescents, and caregivers experiencing distress or trauma.
• Participate in MHPSS/CP coordination meetings with partners and government stakeholders at the field level.
• Liaise with IOM, DoRR, and other relevant actors for service mapping and case referral.
• Facilitate community sessions on mental health, coping strategies, and child protection topics (e.g., stress management, trauma response, resilience)
• Lead public information campaigns and safe messaging during crisis response in coordination with the ACCM and CP teams.
• Conduct awareness sessions on NEVA (Neglect, Exploitation, Violence, and Abuse), PFA, SIR, and CPiE at border entry points and informal settlements.
• Train and mentor child protection facilitators, community volunteers, and local leaders on psychosocial support and child protection principles.
• Promote positive parenting and supportive family behaviors in displacement contexts.
• Regularly monitor CFS and Child Help Desks, providing technical support to facilitators and frontline staff.
• Maintain confidential records of all sessions, referrals, and interventions.
• Attend and complete MHPSS training programs to enhance skills and knowledge in best practices.
• Participate in relevant inter-agency coordination meetings, workshops, and conferences as assigned.
• To assist the child protection officer in analysing situation children who are at risk
• Organize community dialogues to reduce stigmatization of mental health and promote safe spaces for children.
• Document activities, track attendance, and submit timely weekly and monthly reports to the CP Officer.
• Ensure the efficient use of resources and maintain cost-effectiveness in all activities.
• Any other tasks relate to child protection programs given by line manager

BEHAVIOURS (Values in Practice)

Accountability:
 holds self-accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values.
 holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities – giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved.

Ambition:
 sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves and their team, takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages their team to do the same.
 widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others.
 future orientated, thinks strategically and on a global scale.

Collaboration:
 builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, Members and external partners and supporters.
 values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength.
 approachable, good listener, easy to talk to.

Creativity:
 develops and encourages new and innovative solutions.
 willing to take disciplined risks.

Integrity:
 honest, encourages openness and transparency; demonstrates highest levels of integrity.

QUALIFICATIONS:
– Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, or Social Sciences
– Minimum of one year experience in children protection (MHPSS)
– Social work experience, preferably with children
– Knowledge of Child Protection, child rights and MHPSS
– English language skills (ability to write basic reports)

Skills:
– Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
– Strong verbal communication in Pashto/Dari
– Ability to work independently and as part of a team
– Strong time management and meeting facilitation skills
– Skilled in community engagement and mobilization
– Knowledge of working with vulnerable children and communities
– Familiar with computer programs (MS Office, Internet)
– Detail-oriented and accurate in task execution
– Ability to travel to districts/provinces as needed
– Respects cultural norms and confidentiality
– Able to work under pressure in challenging environments
– Committed to Save the Children’s mission and child safeguarding policies

Desirable:
– Experience in child participation, MHPSS, and community-based programming
– Experience in conducting training or teaching

Additional job responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities as set out above are not exhaustive and the role holder may be required to carry out additional duties within reasonableness of their level of skills and experience.
Equal Opportunities:
The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with the SCI Equal Opportunities and Diversity policies and procedures.
Child Safeguarding:
We need to keep children safe so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.
Health and Safety:
The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with SCI Health and Safety policies and procedures.