The USAID funded Urban Health Initiative (UHI) Program’s goal is to improve health outcomes of people living in urban areas, particularly focusing on the health of women and children and other vulnerable populations. Interventions aim to increase demand, access and quality of health services. Lead by Jhpiego and implemented by a dynamic consortium of organizations, UHI is implemented in five cities in Afghanistan – Kabul, Herat, Mazar-e-Sharif, Jalalabad and Kandahar.
Overview:
Addressing the high burden of perinatal and other mental health issues experienced by many Afghan
women is a priority for the MOPH in Afghanistan1. UHI will include RMNCH mental health screening and
psychosocial support as part of improving the quality of care in selected activities. UHI will recruit a
psychosocial counselor (PSC) within the team at Ahmad Sha Baba hospital (preferably a midwife) to
support this mental health work as part of integrated care across the pregnancy continuum. The services
of the PSC could be available to other women, children and GBV survivors referred during pregnancy or
postnatal period within the district e.g. by TDH midwives. As a clinician, she can also support MNH care
as her role and demand for mental health support establish.
The overall scope of work for the psychosocial counselor is mental health screening and providing
counseling services. She will provide psychosocial health services to female clients in public and private
health facilities by screening, diagnosing mental health issues, and supporting them to receive
treatment/provide follow-up. She will assist the technical department and report directly to the relevant
department.
Summary Scope of Work
Providing psycho-social counseling services individually and in groups for clients in health facilities
and call center.
Evaluate client needs and create an individualized treatment plan
Provide treatment to individuals or groups to develop coping mechanisms related to stressful and
traumatic events they encounter
1 MOPH National Strategy for Mental Health 2019-2023
Help individuals with the resources needed to reach personal goals or find solutions to their problems.
Monitor client progress and adjust their treatment plan as needed
Act as a resource/focal point on UHI perinatal mental health activities for Jhpiego AF
Increase awareness and provide mental health training & evidence-based updates for staff and
clients of the health facilities.
Perform all aspects of the role in accordance with the ethical standards of psychosocial counseling.
Active participation in monitoring visits with midwives and community health supervisors and, if
necessary, with community health workers and others.
Work collaboratively as part of the Team providing RMNCH services with supporting health workers,
doctors, and midwives in health facilities.
Provide regular reports (monthly, quarterly and annual) to related departments.
Register client information in the register book and compile individual client documents
Ensure confidentiality and safe keeping of client files & records
Organize field awareness programs to identify and encourage psychosocial clients to receive
treatment.
Coordinate with midwives, doctors, and other health facility staff in the field to plan and support
mental health activities
Coordinate with midwives, doctors, and other health facility staff in the field to plan and support
mental health activities
Technical supervision of the activities of the midwife and community health supervisor who provide
counseling services
Perform any other activity assigned by the technical director.
Any other task as assigned by his/ her supervisor
Required Qualifications:
• Female
• Registered midwife
• A diploma in psychosocial counseling or Bachelor’s degree in Counselling, Psychology
from a recognized entity
• Experience with the Afghanistan health sector (at least 1-year experience)
• Fluency in spoken and written Dari and Pashto and English is a requirement.
• Strong communication skills, problem-solving skills, and planning skills for psychosocial and
social treatment
Please send your CV to Recruitment-AF@jhpiego.org. For further information about Jhpiego, please visit our website at www.jhpiego.org. Note: Please mention the job title and vacancy number of the position on your email subject line otherwise your application may not be considered . The successful candidate selected for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background investigation. Jhpiego is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer!
Recruitment-AF@jhpiego.org
The USAID funded Urban Health Initiative (UHI) Program’s goal is to improve health outcomes of people living in urban areas, particularly focusing on the health of women and children and other vulnerable populations. Interventions aim to increase dem... Read More
