Counsellor Educator

• Job Title: Counsellor Educator.
• Work Location: Dagahaley Refugee camp, Dagahaley, Garissa County.
• Duration: 12 months fixed term contract (starting with 3 months’ probation period) renewable based on performance.
• Start Date: As soon as possible.
• Deadline: 04.12.2025

The selected candidate will be reporting to the Mental Health Supervisor, MSF Dagahaley Project. This position is only open to Kenyan nationals

Perform counselling and/or education sessions to patients, following different medical and mental health MSF protocols and procedures, in order to improve their psychosocial wellbeing.

• Identify the psychosocial, socio-economic and administrative needs for patients.
• Actively promote the availability of counselling services and carry out individual or group counseling, basic psycho-educational sessions to patients and their families (when needed) to alleviate their psychosocial difficulties within the project scope.
• Refer patients to other specialists or institutions for further assistance when necessary to propose the best support available.
• Participate in the creation of any material needed for counseling activities and maintain it.
• Keep files and statistics of daily activities and participate in team meetings to share experiences and discuss special cases with other counselors, preserving confidentiality.
• Inform line manager of any problem arising during day-to-day activities.
• Take an active part in trainings, supervisions/intervisions, and support the activities manager when necessary in doing sensitization for MSF staff or external partners about mental health/psychosocial issues.
• Discuss difficulties and problems in counselling with supervisor.

MSF Section/Context Specific Accountabilities

• The Mental Health Department is located within the 100-bed capacity Dagahaley Hospital that serves a catchment population of approximately 92,000, including the refugee population in Dagahaley and other camps, the local non-refugee population, Garissa county, neighboring Wajir South and Wajir counties, and Somali nationals accessing the camp for medical reasons from across the border.
• The counselor educators form the frontline of the primary health intervention for patients with psychological, psychosocial, and mental health conditions in both in-patient and out-patient settings.
• The counselor educator will provide counselling and psychoeducation services including, but not limited to, individual therapy, group therapy, play therapy, and family therapy in both in-patient and out-patient settings.
• The counselor educator has a responsibility in the community for mental health promotion, sensitization, and empowering community health workers to identify cases and refer them to hospital for further care.
• The counselor educator has an active role in community sensitization and awareness, specifically tailored to address misperceptions about mental health, substance abuse, and stigmatization of perceived mental health patients.
• The counselor educator will work closely with the social worker by referring cases that require referrals/linkages to external resources for psychosocial, socio-economic, and protection support.
• The counselor educator also has a responsibility in the community for mental health promotion, sensitization, and empowering community health workers to identify cases and refer them to hospital for further care.

Education

• Essential: Psychology Degree/Diploma.
• Registered and licensed by MOH's Kenya Counsellors and Psychologist Board.
• Registration by Kenya Counsellors and Psychologist Association (KCPA) or Kenya Psychologist Association (KPA).

Experience

• 1 year experience essential.
• Experience with NGO desirable.

Languages

• Fluency in English and Somali is essential.
• Fluency in Swahili is desirable.

Competencies

• Results-oriented, teamwork, flexibility, commitment, service.

If you meet the above requirements, please complete your application by 04.12.2025 through the APPLY NOW button below.

Because of the number of applications we receive, applications not complying with all of these instructions will not be considered:

Please attach the following:

1. CV of maximum two pages, including contact information (telephone number, e-mail address, physical address).
2. Short cover letter (max. one page).
3. Scan of your national ID.
4. Scan of your academic qualifications.

Each attachment must contain the full name of the applicant.

We apologize that due to the volume of application we receive, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

MSFCH is an equal opportunity employer and does not charge any application/recruitment or training fee. We encourage applications from women, individuals of all genders, ages, sexual orientations, nationalities, races, religions, beliefs, ability status, and all other diversity characteristics.

The protection of your personal data is important to MSF. By submitting your application, you consent to MSF using your personal data only for the recruitment process to have all the information and documents necessary to proceed with the recruitment, validation of your application and selection of the most suitable candidate. Your personal data will be treated confidentially. MSF will not use your personal data in any other way other than for purposes of recruitment.