Assistant Counseling Psychologists (Two Positions), Ugandan Nationals Only

Job Description and required qualifications

(Important Note – Position open to Ugandan nationals only)

Under the supervision of the Counselling Psychologist, the incumbent will perform the following functions:

Duties and responsibilities

• Assist in directing the operations of a HIAS Uganda field site with regard to psychosocial assistance and supervise a field team of social workers and incentive workers;


• Assist in implementation of a coordinated multi-sectoral psychosocial field office and psychosocial response strategy;


• Assist in providing counseling services and other short term therapeutic services to refugees referred to the office in individual and group settings;


• Assist in conducting psychosocial/mental status assessments and prepare related reports; assess refugees in need of psychiatric care, refer those in need to a psychiatrist and monitor progress;


• Liaise with the Legal Officer in the implementation of a comprehensive child protection strategy ensuring participation and best interests of the child, care & protection and realization of child rights;


• Liaise with the Counseling Psychologist in the monitoring, documentation and intervention in SGBV cases;


• Assist in the development of training materials and facilitate internal and external capacity building activities on a variety of topics, including psychosocial support, SGBV, child protection and PSN;


• Assist in identifying and assessing the individual needs of refugees at heightened risk and present cases to the psychosocial panel;


• Assist in overseeing provision of social assistance as needed;


• Ensure up to date record keeping including case preparation, keeping continuous counseling notes and daily records;


• Assist in providing support to social workers and incentive workers in the tracking of individual cases, updating status, case review, and maintaining client database etc.;


• Assist in follow-up and monitoring general case status and processing of refugee cases and prepare field site’s weekly casework plans;


• Work with partner agencies in the provision of and referral for services and attend stakeholder meetings; and


• Ensure services are offered in a professional and ethical manner and perform other duties as required.

Education: A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in psychology, counselling psychology or its equivalent from a recognized university. Master’s degree a plus

Skills and competencies

· Computer literacy a must with strong knowledge of ACCESS, EXCEL AND WORD;

· Ideal candidate should have a keen awareness and a good knowledge of psychosocial issues and the complexities of working on these issues with a refugee population;

· Strong analytical and report writing skills and proven ability to conduct psychological assessments;

· Must have at a least two years’ experience in providing counseling services to traumatized individuals (group) in multi-cultural environment. Experience with refugees plus;

· Experience in planning and implementing psychosocial project activities including facilitating individual and group therapy training;

· Experience working with children and child therapy, with good knowledge of child rights and protection;

· Group facilitation skills and experience

· At least one year of training experience;

· Good team player with excellent cross-cultural international skills, proactive and able to work under minimal supervision while exercising diplomacy, flexibility and assertiveness;

· Ability to confront and discuss sensitive issues with respect and confidentiality

Experience: No less than two years job experience in trauma counselling, preferably in the NGO sector. Knowledge of refugee protection and assistance a plus.

Language:Proficiency in English and Swahili. Working knowledge of French and other languages as an added advantage.

How to apply:

Please send a cover letter and resume to the Email address below or hand deliver to HIAS Uganda Central Office:

Address: Church Road, Off Ggaba Road, Kansanga

P.O BOX 7626, KAMPALA-UGANDA

Tel: +256 312202174 or +256 41450134. Cell: +256 788229398 or +256 758836759.

Email: recruitment.hiasuganda@gmail.com

Indicate Vacancy Notice No: HIAS/UG/ACP/08/15

Important: Only short listed candidates will be contacted. Canvassing will lead to immediate disqualification. Late applications will not be considered.