Vacancy title:
Psychosocial Assistant

Jobs at:
Humanitarian Initiative Just Relief Aid (HIJRA)

Deadline of this Job:
3rd March 2018

Duty Station:
Uganda

Job details:
Funding Source: UNHCR
Duty Station: Uganda
Reports to: Field Program Coordinator
Humanitarian Initiative Just Relief Aid (HIJRA) is an international African humanitarian and development organization that positively contributes towards improving the living standards and conditions of those adversely affected by disasters and conflict in the Horn, East & Central Africa by implementing WASH, Health, Education, Livelihoods, Community service & development and Protection programs in the region for a period of more than 20 years.

About UNHCR Project:
HIJRA with funding from the UNHCR in Uganda is implementing a multi-sectoral Program for refugees in Oruchinga settlement (Isingiro district), Nakivale settlement (Isingiro district) and Nyakabande Transit Center (Kisoro district).

Job Summary: The Psychosocial Assistant is primarily responsible for the day-to-day psychological support of the beneficiaries as well as providing specialized counseling support to Child Protection and GBV cases.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide individual or group psychological support such as counseling and support groups to beneficiaries.
• If needed refer beneficiaries for case management to the case worker.
• Give training to staff on how to identify signs of possible abuse affecting the beneficiaries at the camp (Nakivale) and encountered, through outreach and awareness raising activities.
• Provide a clinical psychological assessment on selected cases referred by the case workers.
• Provide psychological support to cases referred by the case workers in line with objectives.
• Closely monitor and document the psychological recovery of cases referred by the case workers.
• Write technical reports on specific cases identified during the individual psychological support sessions.
• Produce and maintain accurate clinical records of the beneficiaries.
• Train volunteers and other local actors and community members on the identification and referral of Child Protection and GBV cases and principles on working with children and survivors.
•  Set up a monitoring system to evaluate the effectiveness and the impact of the planned individual and group psychological support intervention programs on the beneficiaries.
• Write weekly and monthly reports to the Field Program Coordinator.
•  Carry out any-other duties as required by the supervisor and take part in any other activities as requested by the supervisor.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

• The ideal candidate for the HIJRA Psychosocial Assistant job opportunity must hold a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology or other related field.
• At least two years of relevant professional experience
•  Previous experience working with vulnerable people including survivors of GBV and victims of child abuse.
•  Strong knowledge of Child Friendly interview techniques and communicating with children
•  Familiarity with guidelines on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in emergency settings.
• Strong organizational and supervisory skills with excellent reporting & writing skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skill and communication skills.
• Excellent command of verbal and written English.
• Good knowledge word and excel.
•  The candidate should have a compassionate, caring, and non-judgmental personality and should be a person who keeps sensitive information to him/herself.

Job application procedure
All suitably qualified and interested candidates should send an application letter and Curriculum Vitae including telephone and email contacts of three referees including your current/most recent employer.

Application should be addressed to the:

Country Program Manager,
Humanitarian Initiative Just Relief Aid (HIJRA),
P.O. Box 37703, Kampala, Uganda.

Email to: vacancies.ug@hijra.or.ke . The subject line should read: “Psychosocial Assistant.”

NB: Please note that interviews will be done on a rolling basis given the urgency of the positions.