Lay Counsellors (2 per province, women and men lay counsellor)

Job Summary Psychosocial Support and Counselling Services · Provide basic psychosocial support services to learners, facilitators, and community members participating in the SDL Programme. · Conduct individual and group counselling sessions for learners facing emotional, social, family, or personal challenges. · Provide psychosocial support to learners experiencing stress, anxiety, trauma, social isolation, or other psychosocial challenges. · Offer support to survivors of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and facilitate referrals to specialized service providers when required. · Promote learner well-being and resilience through supportive counselling approaches. · Facilitate discussions and activities that promote Social and Emotional Learning (SEL), self-awareness, self-confidence, communication skills, empathy, and positive relationships. · Encourage learners to identify and utilize positive coping strategies and self-help techniques. · Support learners facing attendance, retention, or participation challenges. · Maintain confidentiality and uphold ethical standards in all counselling interactions. Class Visits and Learner Support · Visit SDL classes regularly, with a minimum of one visit per class per month or as directed by the project. · Conduct awareness sessions on psychosocial support, emotional well-being, stress management, and resilience. · Explain the purpose and benefits of psychosocial support and counselling services to learners and facilitators. · Encourage learners to discuss challenges affecting their learning and participation. · Identify learners who may require additional support and follow-up. · Coordinate with facilitators to identify learners experiencing psychosocial or emotional difficulties. · Support interventions aimed at improving learner attendance, participation, retention, and completion. Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Activities · Facilitate SEL activities and discussions during class visits and community events. · Promote positive communication, teamwork, conflict resolution, and problem-solving skills among learners. · Support development of learners' confidence, self-esteem, and interpersonal skills. · Encourage inclusive and respectful interactions among learners. · Integrate SEL concepts into psychosocial support activities and awareness sessions. Community Awareness and Engagement · Conduct awareness sessions within communities on mental health, psychosocial well-being, stress management, positive coping mechanisms, and emotional resilience. · Engage with Village Skills Committees (VSCs), community leaders, religious leaders, and other stakeholders to promote awareness of psychosocial support services. · Support efforts to reduce stigma associated with mental health and seeking psychosocial support. · Promote supportive family and community environments for learners. · Participate in community outreach events, awareness campaigns, and project meetings. Parenting Education Support · Support implementation of Parenting Education activities and sessions where required. · Promote awareness among parents and caregivers regarding positive parenting practices and family well-being. · Support facilitators in identifying psychosocial issues affecting learners and families. · Encourage participation of parents and caregivers in parenting education activities. · Provide basic guidance on family communication, child well-being, and supportive home learning environments. Referral and Case Support · Identify beneficiaries requiring specialized psychosocial, protection, health, legal, or social services. · Refer individuals requiring advanced support to appropriate service providers in accordance with approved referral pathways. · Coordinate with health facilities, protection actors, social service providers, and relevant organizations to facilitate referrals. · Follow up on referrals where appropriate and feasible. · Maintain records of referrals and actions taken while respecting confidentiality requirements. · Immediately report serious protection concerns through appropriate channels in accordance with safeguarding procedures. Capacity Building and Training · Conduct awareness sessions and basic training for facilitators, community mobilizers, VSC members, and other project personnel on: o Mental health awareness; o Psychosocial support principles; o Social and Emotional Learning (SEL); o Stress management techniques; o Positive coping mechanisms; o Psychological First Aid (PFA); o Gender-Based Violence (GBV) awareness and referral; o Safeguarding and protection principles. · Support integration of psychosocial support concepts into project implementation activities. · Participate in project trainings and refresher sessions. Monitoring and Reporting · Maintain accurate records of counseling sessions, awareness activities, referrals, and follow-up actions. · Maintain beneficiary confidentiality and secure storage of counseling records. · Prepare monthly activity reports and submit them to the Project Officer and relevant supervisors. · Report on key psychosocial issues affecting learners and communities. · Document challenges, lessons learned, and recommendations to improve psychosocial support services. · Contribute to project monitoring and reporting processes as required. Safeguarding and Protection · Promote safeguarding, Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA), child protection, and protection principles throughout project implementation. · Ensure that counseling services are delivered in a safe, respectful, confidential, and non-discriminatory manner. · Identify and report safeguarding concerns in accordance with approved reporting procedures. · Support beneficiaries in accessing available complaints and feedback mechanisms. · Maintain professional boundaries and ethical conduct at all times. Coordination and Collaboration · Coordinate closely with Project Officers, PCMs, DCMs, Facilitators, Master Trainers, and M&E Officers. · Participate in project coordination meetings and planning sessions. · Support community-based interventions aimed at improving learner well-being and participation. · Work collaboratively with project teams to address barriers affecting learner participation and success. · Perform any other project-related duties assigned by the Project Officer to support effective implementation of the SDL Programme. Job Requirements · Preferably Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Social Work, Sociology, Education, Public Health, Community Development, Medical Sciences, or a related field. · Candidates with a Grade 14 qualification and relevant psychosocial support or counseling experience may be considered. · Minimum two (2) years of experience in counseling, psychosocial support, social work, community development, protection, health, or related fields. · Previous experience working with vulnerable populations is desirable. · Basic training in counseling, psychosocial support, psychological first aid, protection, or related areas is highly desirable. · Good communication, facilitation, listening, and interpersonal skills. · Basic computer skills, including Microsoft Office applications. · Fluency in Dari and/or Pashto (written and spoken), preferably the language of the target district. · Basic understanding of English is desirable. · Applications will be accepted only from candidates who are native residents of the designated target provinces. Applicants must clearly mention their native province of residence in their CV.