Psychosocial Counsellor
2026-07-26        Paktia       Full Time        99
Job Location: Paktia
Nationality: National
Category: Program
Employment Type: Full Time
Salary: As per HI salary scale
Vacancy Number: HIA-08-26
No. Of Jobs: 2
City: Paktia
Organization: Hagar International
Years of Experience: Minimum 3 years of professional experience in psychosocial counseling, facilitation of individual and group sessions, and delivering psychoeducation or training. At least 2 years of experience working directly with children and adult populations.
Contract Duration: 5-6 Months
Gender: Male/Female
Education: Must be certified by MoPH, and/or having a bachelor’s degree in psychology with extra MHPSS trainings.
Close date: 2026-07-26

About Hagar International:

Hagar was established in 1994 in Cambodia to serve and support women and children who have survived severe exploitation and human rights abuses. In 2009, Hagar expanded its unique whole journey model of long-term, individualized care to Afghanistan and Vietnam. In 2015, Hagar also started delivering services in Singapore, Myanmar, and the Solomon Islands. We walk the whole journey of restoration with each survivor, empower communities to prevent exploitation, and strengthen systems to protect the vulnerable.

Hagar International in Afghanistan implements several integrated programs designed to help survivors recover from trauma and rebuild their lives. These include running Child-Friendly Spaces in IDP camps, economic empowerment initiatives and resilient livelihoods programs, community-based child protection programs, humanitarian relief projects, primary health care services, and emergency response activities.

Job Descriptions:

Position Purpose  

The Psychosocial Counsellor is responsible for providing high-quality, confidential, and ethical psychosocial support and counselling services to the Bridges to Hope and Healing (BHH) project's beneficiaries in targeted health facilities and community sites. These beneficiaries include returnees, survivors of human trafficking, and other forms of extreme abuse and trauma. The counsellor will employ a survivor-cantered approach to improve beneficiaries' mental well-being, foster resilience, and support their journey toward recovery and successful rehabilitation within the Health Facilities or/and Community Centers  their communities. 

Main Duties & Responsibilities  

  • Conduct comprehensive psychosocial assessments for beneficiaries and develop individualized, culturally sensitive counselling and rehabilitation plans tailored to the unique needs of each client. 

  • Facilitate structured individual and group counselling sessions using strength-based and trauma-informed approaches to promote resilience, emotional regulation, and long-term recovery. 

  • Design, organize, and deliver psychoeducation and life skills training sessions for beneficiaries in line with project targets. These sessions should cover topics such as stress management, emotional regulation, problem-solving, communication, coping strategies, and other practical skills that enhance daily functioning and overall mental well-being. 

  • Organize and lead culturally appropriate psychosocial support activities and group sessions that encourage positive coping mechanisms and enhance overall mental well-being, ensuring these activities complement the psychoeducation and life skills curriculum. 

  • Maintain detailed, accurate, and confidential case files. Ensure all session notes, progress updates, and case data are promptly documented in the Client Management System (CMS) in coordination with the direct supervisor, strictly adhering to data protection and confidentiality protocols. 

  • Collaborate closely with the project team to ensure an integrated, holistic approach to service delivery, addressing the full spectrum of beneficiary needs and ensuring that psychoeducation and life skills training are effectively coordinated with other project components. 

  • Systematically record all counseling data and provide regular situational updates to the Direct Supervisor and Project Manager. Prepare and submit timely weekly, monthly, and ad-hoc reports to the line manager, including progress updates on psychoeducation and life skills training sessions and beneficiary participation. 

  • Identify beneficiaries in need of specialized services and facilitate confidential referrals to psychiatrists, medical professionals, protection officers, and other relevant care providers. 

  • Actively participate in capacity-building trainings organized by the organization and its donors to enhance professional skills and improve the quality of service delivery. 

  • Perform any other relevant tasks as assigned by the line manager. 

Job Requirements:

Key Selection Criteria 

Education: 

  • Must be certified by MoPH, and/or having a bachelor’s degree in psychology with extra MHPSS trainings. 

  • Must be knowledgeable of different therapeutic methods and be able to switch between different approaches to meet each adult’s needs. 

  • Understand children's and women's rights. 

  • Knowledge of Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) is an advantage. 

  • Knowledge of issues facing vulnerable women and children in Afghanistan. Training in counselling, psychology, and/or social work is an advantage. 

Experience: 

  • Minimum 3 years of professional experience in psychosocial counseling, facilitation of individual and group sessions, and delivering psychoeducation or training. 

  • At least 2 years of experience working directly with children and adult populations. 

  • Experience providing trauma-informed counseling for mental health conditions such as PTSD, depression, and anxiety is strongly preferred. 

  • Experience with international or local NGOs in MHPSS in a hospital setting is an advantage. 

  • Familiarity with case management, documentation, and referral systems is desirable. 

  • Strong communication, reporting, and teamwork skills. 

Skills and Personal Attributes: 

  • Excellent communication, interpersonal, and active listening skills. 

  • Ability to work with beneficiaries from difficult backgrounds with empathy, respect, and care. 

  • Strong counselling skills for individual, group, and family sessions. 

  • Cultural sensitivity, adaptability, and resilience in challenging environments. 

  • Fluency in Dari and/or Pashto is required; working knowledge of English is an advantage. 

Submission Guidelines:

Interested qualified applicants should send their updated CV along with cover letter to Hagar International HR Email. Please write the job title and vacancy number in the subject line of your email. "Psychosocial Counsellor HIA-08-26"

Only qualified applicants who closely meet the above criteria will be notified for written test/interview.

Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.

Submission Email:

recruitment.afg@hagarinternational.org

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