MHPSS Counsellor

Program Brief

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solution driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people worldwide for a better future.

Since 2017, IRC has supported Rohingya Refugees and Bangladeshi nationalities communities in Cox's Bazar, Khulna, Barisal, and Chittagong with integrated services. The organization also addresses climate change impacts by building resilience and promoting economic recovery, education, and protection.

Purpose of the Role

This position will be working closely with medical teams in PHCC and BEmONC centers with an aim to improve the beneficiaries’ mental health wellbeing and psychosocial conditions. Supporting the Primary Health Care Services (PHCS) medical team by providing direct care to the health beneficiaries based on the need and capacity building for the health service providers for the implementation of qualitative psychosocial care and mental health activities. Assisting the community volunteers (CVs) in the identification of beneficiaries in need of specific psychological counseling and ensuring individual or group support for identified beneficiaries. With overall mentorship from Senior Health Manager, the position will be directly supervised by Medical Doctor (Center Focal) with support from Clinical Manager.

Work location: Nayapara Registered Camp

Report to: Senior Health Manager

Contract Length: 31^st December 2025 (With possibilities of extension)

Highlights of Key Responsibilities:

Improving the beneficiaries’ mental health wellbeing and psychosocial condition:

• Implementing psychosocial activities and providing psychological consultations on a regular basis.
• Provide group and individual counseling to encourage clients to discuss emotions and experiences
• Need assessment for psychosocial support clients to define action plans and develop therapeutic processes
• Arrange training on MHPSS topic for facility staff
• Ensure all work with clients is confidential and that ethical practices are observed.
• Document client data accurately in the intake forms and ensure they are under lock and key.
• Ensure that the MH Data Tool is accurately updated on a regular basis.
• Participate in the preparation of accurate reports for all Psycho-social related activities.
• Assess the beneficiaries’ psychological condition by using psychological tools to detect the vulnerable cases and ensure psychological follow up.
• Actively participate in weekly or bi-weekly sectoral meetings in the camp level.
• Assist in the development of referral networks between partners implementing GBV and implementation of referral pathways.
• Participate in conducting training for medical and non-medical staff on Mental Health related topics.
• Support the Health promoters or CVs to identify beneficiaries with vulnerabilities and to accurately refer them to the MH worker
• Conducting regular Awareness raising session with target communities within Health Facilities.
• Regular capacity building of CVs in Mental Health related topics
• Managing the activities of CVs related to MH through regular follow-up.

Reports and project development:

• Producing timely progress reports, including both quantitative and qualitative information, on MHPSS activities and clinical case studies
• Submitting timely MHPSS data to MEAL department
• Being in charge of the MHPSS materials and making the liaise with the Supply Chain for the procurement of the needed activities items

Other Duties:

• To maintain good socio-professional relationships with national and international partners
• To attend training when required
• To attend team meetings and to give qualitative inputs
• Be flexible in performing duties to ensure that beneficiaries are getting good quality services
• Strictly respect confidentiality of data, property of beneficiaries and respect confidentiality regarding the content of clinical interviews, except when exchanging information with the medical team in charge and within a professional frame