Job Description

Title: PWSN Counsellor (Female/Male)
Reporting to: Project Coordinator
Duty Station: Field-Based
Unit: Programme
Section: Protection

Summary of Key Functions

The PWSN (Persons with Specific Needs) Counsellor will be responsible for providing psychosocial support and individual counselling to refugees and vulnerable individuals identified as having specific needs. The role involves conducting confidential counselling sessions, delivering mental health education, supporting crisis cases, and strengthening referral pathways. The PWSN Counsellor will also work closely with the field teams and Outreach Volunteers to ensure timely identification, referral, and support of individuals requiring psychosocial interventions, in line with community-based protection strategies.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Conduct individual counselling sessions with Afghan refugees and vulnerable persons, ensuring a safe and confidential environment to address psychological and emotional needs.
• Apply evidence-based counselling approaches tailored to individual needs, with sensitivity to trauma, displacement, and cultural background.
• Organise and facilitate psychoeducational workshops on stress management, coping skills, emotional resilience, and trauma recovery.
• Provide psychological first aid and crisis intervention to individuals in distress.
• Coordinate closely with CBP staff, Outreach Volunteers, and partners to ensure comprehensive and coordinated care for clients.
• Maintain detailed, secure, and confidential records of counselling sessions and client interactions.
• Refer cases to appropriate service providers through established referral mechanisms and follow up as necessary.
• Contribute to the design and delivery of mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) activities in alignment with programme goals.
• Advocate for the mental health and well-being of PWSNs within the refugee and host communities.
• Identify service gaps and emerging needs, and report to the CBP Coordinator with suggestions for improvement.
• Participate in staff meetings, trainings, and internal debriefings related to protection and psychosocial support.
• Travel to field sites as needed for programme implementation, community engagement, or training delivery.
• Perform any other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Qualification & Experience

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Counselling, Social Work, or a related social science field.
• Experience: Minimum 3–4 years of relevant experience in psychosocial support or counselling, ideally in humanitarian or refugee settings.
• Skills:
• Proficient in individual counselling, mental health support, and case documentation.
• Experience working with Persons with Specific Needs (PWSNs) and trauma-affected populations.
• Excellent communication, empathy, and cultural sensitivity.
• Language: Fluency in Urdu and Pashto required; Dari is an added advantage.
• Computer Skills: Good command of Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook).
• Personal Qualities: Compassionate, professional, discreet, and capable of handling pressure in field settings.