Psychosocial counselor

Position Title: Psychosocial counselor

2025-11-09 Paktia Full Time 42

Job Location:	Paktia
Nationality:	National
Category:	Health Care
Employment Type:	Full Time
Salary:	Based on NSP Salary Scale
Vacancy Number:	CARE/AF/1303
No. Of Jobs:	2
City:	Gardiz

Organization:	CARE AFGHANISTAN
Years of Experience:	Two years of experience for the bachelor's degree in psychology and three years for the MHPSS counseling diploma holder.
Contract Duration:	Oct 31,2026
Gender:	Female
Education:	Bachelor’s degree in psychology, Social Work, Counseling, or related field (Master's degree preferred).
Close date:	2025-11-09

About CARE AFGHANISTAN:

As a global leader, CARE is shaping the future of the humanitarian and development sector. Each year, we deliver support and services to millions of people in over a hundred countries. We do this by focusing on our mission and living the values that drive our organization. A career at CARE is an opportunity to be part of a movement that brings communities together to solve complex problems and foster lasting change throughout the world. We seek individuals who are passionate about humanitarian and development work, collaborate well with others, embrace learning and innovation, and deliver results.

CARE’s Work Culture (What It’s Like to Work at CARE?)

CARE is a mission-driven international humanitarian aid and development organization that offers an opportunity to work with people across the world. Not a day will go by that you won’t learn something profound, meet an expert, or write a sentence that can change a life. We are committed to an environment where everyone can succeed.

Job Descriptions:

The PSS counselor is responsible for providing quality psychosocial support, which includes the identification, assessment, and management of the MHPSS conditions of clients. To deliver this service, PSS counselors are required to follow the technical instructions of CARE MHPSS, as well as guidance from lead PSS supervisors, officers, and project/provincial supervisors.
The PSS counselor will primarily conduct MHPSS awareness sessions to enhance beneficiaries' understanding of mental health, its causes and consequences, and the provision of psychosocial support for mild to moderate cases. Following this, the counselor is required to assess clients using standardized tools based on their needs, such as the PHQ-9, GAD-7, WHO-5, SUD Scale, or others.
Additionally, they are responsible for linking clients with specialized mental health services in the area. Collecting data and writing success stories of clients are also part of the PSS counselor's duties. They may also be deployed for emergency response in affected areas as needed, and the senior program team can assign them to these emergency situations.

• MHPSS Awareness: Conduct Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) awareness sessions within health facilities to promote understanding and engagement.
• Encourage Participation: Actively encourage male and female beneficiaries of health and nutrition services to participate in psychosocial support sessions, ensuring that they feel comfortable and supported.
• Secure and Client-Friendly Spaces: Select and organize secure, private spaces for consultations and awareness-raising sessions, ensuring compliance with confidentiality and privacy standards.
• Individual & Group Sessions: Provide both individual and group psychosocial support through discussions and counseling, addressing the needs of vulnerable clients and offering appropriate treatment, dignity kits, and volunteer referral services.
• Confidentiality of Client Records: Maintain strict confidentiality for all client consultations and referrals. Ensure that all records are handled sensitively and are for official use only.
• Coordination with Health Facility: Foster effective coordination with health facility leadership and Medical Doctors (MDs) to ensure safe and confidential internal referrals for clients.
• Vulnerability Identification: Identify the most vulnerable and affected individuals in internally displaced and host communities through regular health education, triage in Outpatient Departments (OPD), and awareness-raising activities.
• Promote Resilience: Focus on fostering individual and familial self-sufficiency, resilience, and coping mechanisms to improve mental well-being and quality of life.
• Safety and Confidentiality: Safeguard beneficiaries' safety, independence, and confidentiality always, ensuring their trust and dignity are upheld.
• Report Security Issues: Immediately report any unexpected issues or security concerns to the line manager or project office, following established protocols for safety and reporting.
• Community Advocacy: Advocate for local community support to minimize harm to vulnerable populations through awareness-raising activities and health education initiatives.
• Safety Plans: Assist target communities in developing and adapting safety plans for life-threatening situations, taking into account the local context and available resources.
• Confidentiality Measures: Implement all necessary measures to protect client confidentiality and privacy, taking into consideration the nature of the work, to prevent stigma, harm, or life-threatening situations.
• Daily Reporting: Prepare and submit daily reports on consultations, referrals, and dignity kit distributions to the team leader or in-charge, ensuring proper documentation and tracking.
• Community Mobilization: Actively participate in community mobilization activities, collaborating with the team leader and health facility colleagues to enhance community engagement and support.
• Internal Coordination: Maintain close internal coordination with team members, and project staff, and address community/client concerns by sharing suggestions or issues with the line manager in a timely and organized manner.

Safeguarding Responsibilities:

Uphold CARE’s Safeguarding Policy (https://www.care-international.org/resources/care-international-safeguarding-policy) and Safeguarding Code of Conduct.
Must read the Safeguarding Policy and either sign the Safeguarding Code of Conduct or sign a Code of Conduct that is consistent with or references this policy and Safeguarding Code of Conduct.

Safety and Security Responsibility:

We all have a responsibility to promote a safe and secure work environment, foster a safety and security culture, and ensure consistent application of, and compliance with, CARE Afghanistan safety and security policies and procedures.

Job Requirements:

Bachelor’s degree in psychology, Social Work, Counseling, or related field (Master's degree preferred).
• Diploma in Mental health and psychosocial counseling from the well-known institute of verified by the Ministry of public Health, with three years of experience.
Bachelor’s degree in psychology, Social Work, Counseling, or related field (Master's degree preferred).

Two years of experience for the bachelor's degree in psychology and three years for the MHPSS counseling diploma holder.
• Experience of standard evidence-based technical MHPSS package of services (IPT, PM+, Thinking Healthy, MH GAP-HIG, CBT, would be an asset
• Previous work experience in the different aspects of the MHPSS including PHC, IDPs, returnees, or vulnerable communities is an asset.
• Strong understanding of MHPSS principles, trauma-informed care, and community-based approaches.
• Proficiency in psychosocial assessment tools and counseling techniques.
• Familiarity with the socio-cultural context of Afghanistan, particularly the Western Region.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with a compassionate and non-judgmental approach.
• Ability to work in a team and collaborate with diverse stakeholders.
• Resilience and flexibility to operate in challenging environments.
• Willingness to travel to remote areas within the duty and out of duty base as needed and pre instruction of the senior Management.
2.4 Languages Skills:
• Fluency in spoken and written Dari and Pashtu is a requirement. English Language skills are a plus point.

• Strong communication skills
• Willingness to work in emergency-situation, but will be having PPE and IPC measurements provided

Submission Guidelines:

Please submit your completed CARE Standard Job application form (ACBAR: Application Form) along with updated CV to afg.vacancies@care.org.
Applications after the closing date (12:00 AM) and without CARE Application form will not be accepted.
Please Indicate the position title, Vacancy Number in the Subject Line (MHPSS CARE-AF-1313) otherwise your application will not be considered.
Please note that there is no telephonic inquiry and only shortlisted applicants will be contacted with and call for Interview.
The successful applicant will be expected to undergo a Background Check, Bridger check & Reference check and be compliant and sign up to Care Afghanistan’s Code of Conduct, PSHA (Prevention from Sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse) and other Care Afghanistan policies prior to a final offer being made.
CARE IS COMMITTED TO CHILD PROTECTION POLICY (Available at: http://bit.ly/CAREAFG_Child_Protection_Policy)

Equal Opportunity Statement

CARE is an Equal Opportunity employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex, religion, ancestry, national origin, age, disability, marital status, or veteran status, or any other characteristics protected under applicable law.

MDS (Misconduct Disclosure Scheme)

CARE participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we hereby request information from the candidate’s previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the candidate left employment. All offers of employment are subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms his/her understanding of these recruitment procedures.