6 Counselor Job Opportunities – Mental Health Uganda (MHU)
Job Title: Counsellor (6 Fresher Jobs)
Organization: Mental Health Uganda (MHU)
Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda
Reports to: Project Coordinator
About US:
Mental Health Uganda (MHU), is a local Non-Governmental Organization established by people with a lived experience of mental health problems. It exists to create a unified voice that influences the provision of required services and opportunities, in favour of people with and survivors of mental health problems in Uganda.
About Project:
MHU, will soon start the project “Amplifying the Voices of Young People with Mental Health Issues in Uganda”. The project seeks to address the problem of accessibility to mental health care in the districts of Uganda, particularly for youth by, among other things, establishing a national help line where people with, or caretakers of, people with mental health issues can receive counselling and/or guidance of where to find appropriate help. The project will be implemented in 8 districts across 4 regions i.e. Northern region in Gulu district and Lira district; Central region in Mpigi district and Kampala district; Eastern region in Soroti district and Mbale district; Western region in Mbarara district and Rukungiri district.
Job Summary: The Counsellor will serve as the point of entry for people with challenges related to mental health to be able to get information and counselling so as to access care and support. The counsellor team will run the toll-free national phone counselling service for young persons (15-35) with mental health issues and their potential caretakers.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
Project Implementation
- Provide counseling and other short term therapeutic services for young persons (15-35) with mental health issues
- Provide appropriate referral to all individuals who need extra and specialized care and support
- Provide accurate information to all individuals, presenting all possible alternatives within the spectrum of care and allow beneficiaries to make informed choices
- Identify and document risks to young people with mental health challenges and propose strategies to mitigate them
- Maintain proper and updated records (data) on all people accessing the phone call in facility, using the given guidelines
- Ensure services from MHU are offered in a professional and ethical manner
- Provide online support for the functionality of the peer to peer structures at the district level, with a view to create and sustain awareness and functional self-help groups and at the community level
- Participate in specific research exercises to inform the project from time to time
- Network and maintain useful linkages and dialogue with relevant stakeholders including partners, government and local structures to ensure collaboration, synergy and sharing of experiences
Monitoring and Evaluation
- Participate in organizing and facilitating project reviews with project key stakeholders
- Document the best practices implemented and success stories for sharing and learning
Reporting, Resource Management and Documentation
- Prepare and submit timely monthly work plans and reports
- Support preparation and dissemination of information related to mental health issues, relevant to the project component
- Comply and adhere to the organizational policies and guidelines.
Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
- The applicant should preferably hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Development Studies, Gender and Development Studies (GAD), Social Work and Social Administration, Social Sciences, Community Psychology and or any other related studies
- Post graduate counselling and guidance qualification will be an added advantage
- Direct or indirect experience of mental health problems and openness to people with mental health issues
- Experience working on advocacy or rights for marginalized groups and empowerment issues.
- Strong ability to communicate (both speak and write) in English is required.
- Computer literacy skills
How to Apply:
All suitably qualified and interested candidates should send a motivation letter and CV as one PDF document/file of maximum 5 pages via email to mhu@mentalhealthuganda.org – subject line is the job title e.g. “Communications Officer”.
NB: Do not send academic documents – heavy files containing academic documents or submitted as images and or late applications will not be considered. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. The Letter must also include the details of 2 suitable referees who can comment on the candidate’s ability. Women and Persons with disabilities are highly encouraged to apply including those with a living experience of mental health problems.
Deadline: 24th June 2020 by 4:00pm