Organizational Context
The Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) is ministry of the Society of Jesus, incorporated as an international non-governmental organisation with a mission to accompany, serve, and advocate for the rights of refugees and forcibly displaced people. The organisation was founded in November 1980 and now has a presence in over 56 countries. JRS undertakes services at national and regional levels with the support and guidance of an international office (IO) in Rome. The style of JRS service is human and spiritual, working in situations of greatest need, seeking the long-term well-being of refugees and displaced people while not neglecting their immediate or urgent needs.
The main services provided are in the field of education, reconciliation, livelihood activities and psychosocial support. Currently, more than 724,000 individuals are direct beneficiaries of JRS projects. In Kenya, JRS has two projects: an urban refugee project in Nairobi focussing on Education and Livelihoods and field project in Kakuma Refugee Camp focussing on Education, Integrated psychosocial inclusive Education programme in Centres and Safe Shelters.
JRS Kenya is seeking to recruit Kenyan nationals for the position of school Counsellor to be based in Kakuma Refugee Camp, Turkana County.
Job Function
Reporting to the Secondary Education Coordinator, the school Counsellor will provide technical oversight, planning, coordination, and implementation of comprehensive Psychosocial Support (PSS) for learners, teachers, and other educational personnel in secondary schools in the camp. The school counsellor will provide students with guidance and support in dealing with an array of issues such as personal, academic, parental, or social pressures. The incumbent will report to Secondary Education Coordinator and will work in collaboration with the other program staff. The provision of PSS will be offered in line withJRSโ commitments for children in development and reflect good practice in developmental education responses.
Duties and responsibilities.
- Support studentsโ psychosocial needs.
- Deliver individual counselling sessions for students, ensuring confidentiality and providing a safe space for students to address emotional and psychological challenges arising from their refugee experiences.
- Develop and implement personalized counselling plans to support students in coping with trauma, stress, anxiety, and other mental health issues, adapting interventions to meet each student's unique needs and circumstances within the Kakuma Refugee Settlement context.
- Coordinate and facilitate case conferences for students with complex Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) needs, bringing together multidisciplinary teams to assess, plan, and implement tailored interventions to support their academic, social, and emotional well-being within the Kakuma Refugee Settlement school environment.
- Coordinate support groups tailored to address shared experiences, including bereavement, adjustment challenges, and family separation, providing a platform for students to connect and share coping strategies.
- Organize psychoeducational workshops and deliberations focusing on relevant learner friendly MHPSS topics pertinent to the refugee context, such as building resilience, resolving conflicts peacefully, and managing emotions effectively, promoting holistic well-being and resilience among students.
- Lead crisis intervention efforts by promptly responding to emergency situations and offering immediate assistance to students experiencing distress within the Kakuma Refugee Settlement.
- Develop and implement initiatives aimed at addressing and preventing substance abuse issues among students within the settlement, promoting a healthy and supportive environment.
2. Collaboration and partnership.
- Collaborate closely with school staff and external agencies to coordinate comprehensive crisis response initiatives, prioritizing the safety and well-being of students. Implement established crisis management protocols and procedures to address emergencies efficiently and effectively, ensuring a coordinated and supportive response during critical incidents.
- Collaborate with students to enhance and refine their skill sets, fostering personal and academic growth within the Kakuma Refugee Settlement.
- Facilitate community conversations and awareness raising activities in collaboration with project staffs on issues related to students personal, academic, social, and parental pressures as well as inclusion of learners with disabilities.
3. MEAL & Reporting.
- Conduct assessments utilizing standardized tools like strength and difficulty measures to evaluate students' strengths, weaknesses, interests, and aptitudes effectively within the Kakuma Refugee Camp
- Document and develop monthly participation and outcomes; analyses results and prepares recommendations.
- Support in development of Concept Notes, proposals and need assessments related to Secondary Education as necessary from time to time.
- Coordinate preparation and submission periodic (daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, and annual) reports of activities, evaluations, recommendations, and action plans.
Qualifications and experience.
Education and experience
- Bachelorโs degree in counselling psychology, Education Counselling, Counselling, or related field.
- At least 4 yearsโ experience in working in the field of counselling. Previous experience as a school counsellor in a refugee set up will be added advantage.
- Demonstrated experience and commitment to working with marginalized communities is a strong advantage.
Skills and competencies
- Communication Skills: Effective communication with community members, leaders, and partners.
- Facilitation Skills: Ability to organize meetings, workshops, and seminars.
- Monitoring and Reporting: Proficiency in tracking progress and documenting impact.
- Advocacy: Advocating for community needs and mobilizing support.
- Computer literacy skills: Mastery of office software (MS Word, Excel, and Power Point) required.
- Problem solving and listening skills: Excellent listening and problem-solving skills.
- High level of integrity.
- Ability to tolerate cultural, educational, and religious diversity in the workplace.
- Good communication and interpersonal skills.
- Working knowledge of counselling models, methods, and resources
- Able and willing to live, work, travel in fast-paced and environment adhering to strict security guidelines.
Core values and ethics.
- Commitment to JRSโs mission, vision, and values; ability to convey with enthusiasm JRSโs role in accompanying and serving forcibly displaced people and to advocate for their right to protection and a life in dignity.
- High integrity, honesty, and confidentiality; ability to deal tactfully and discreetly with people, situations, and information.
- Acceptance of diversity and inclusion as a core value