Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Counselor (Protection)- Local Hire

Project HOPE is an international NGO with more than 1,000 engaged employees and volunteers who work around the globe, responding to the world’s most pressing global health challenges. Throughout our 65-year legacy, Project HOPE has treated millions of patients, provided more than $3 billion worth of medicines to local health care organizations around the world helped build hundreds of health programs from the ground up, and responded to humanitarian crises worldwide. Code of Conduct It is our shared responsibility and obligation to treat each other with respect, take affirmative steps to prevent matters involving Sexual Exploitation Abuse and Trafficking in Persons, and to disclose all potential and actual violations of our Code of Conduct, which may include Conflicts of Interest, Fraud, Corruption, Discrimination or Harassment. Together we can reinforce a culture of respect, integrity, accountability, and transparency. POSITION SUMMARY: The MHPSS Counselor (Protection) will provide psychosocial support services within Project HOPE’s Gaza Response protection programming. In a context of active conflict, displacement, exposure to violence, family separation, and heightened protection risks, the role focuses on delivering safe, confidential, and survivor-centered psychosocial support to vulnerable individuals, including women, children, persons with disabilities, and survivors of gender-based violence (GBV). The position ensures integration of MHPSS within protection services, adherence to international protection standards, and alignment with humanitarian principles, including safeguarding, confidentiality, accountability, and Do No Harm. The Counselor will coordinate closely with protection case management teams, health actors, and relevant coordination mechanisms to ensure comprehensive and ethical service delivery. This position is being advertised contingent upon award; while the recruitment process will proceed as part of organizational preparedness, no formal offer will be extended until funding is confirmed PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES: -Conduct psychosocial and psychological assessments to identify needs, risks, and priority interventions; develop short-term individualized MHPSS support plans. -Provide Psychological First Aid (PFA), individual counseling sessions, and evidence-based psychosocial support in line with MHPSS guidelines. -Support individuals experiencing trauma-related symptoms, anxiety, depression, grief, and stress linked to conflict and displacement. -Support protection case management processes through psychosocial input and coordinated care planning. -Identify high-risk cases requiring specialized mental health or protection interventions and facilitate safe referrals. -Collaborate closely with Protection Case Workers to identify cases requiring specialized psychological care and contribute to individualized case plans. -Contribute to the development and implementation of referral pathways for protection and MHPSS services. -Implement safe and appropriate referrals to mental health and specialized protection services, following up in line with established referral pathways. -Conduct field visits when necessary to assess cases while ensuring confidentiality, safety, and adherence to protection standards. -Facilitate awareness sessions and educational workshops on mental health, coping strategies, and psychosocial well-being. -Document assessments, sessions, and follow-ups using approved confidential forms, ensuring secure data storage. -Prepare weekly and monthly technical reports on MHPSS activities, case trends, challenges, and recommendations. -Contribute to MEAL activities, including feedback tools, success stories, and lessons learned. -Provide basic guidance or short training to field teams on PFA, supportive communication, and managing psychological distress. -Participate in case conference as needed. -Ensure all services are delivered in line with safeguarding policies, protection mainstreaming, accountability to affected populations, and Do No Harm principles. -Other duties as assigned. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: -Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Counseling Psychology, Clinical Psychology, or Community Mental Health. -3-7 yrs of demonstrated experience providing individual counseling and psychosocial support. -Experience working with women, adolescent girls, and other vulnerable groups in humanitarian or crisis-affected settings. -Practical knowledge of Psychological First Aid (PFA), trauma-informed approaches, and protection-sensitive psychosocial support. -Previous experience with local or international NGOs. -Experience working with survivors of violence, displaced populations, or high-risk groups -PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: -Advanced understanding of psychosocial support methodologies, PFA principles, and experience delivering both individual and group counseling. -Strong computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office applications. -Flexible, solution-oriented, and strong problem-solving abilities. -Excellent communication skills and ability to collaborate effectively within a team. -Ability to work efficiently under pressure and in challenging environments. -Experience working in conflict-affected or hardship contexts such as Gaza. -Familiarity with Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) MHPSS guidelines and protection frameworks. Physical demands: -While performing the duties of this job, the employee must be mobile in an office environment and able to use standard office equipment. -Must be able to communicate in verbal and written form and must be able to travel internationally. -Project HOPE employees may be required to travel or work in countries where working conditions are classified as “hardship.” Work environment: -Typical office environment with exposure to a minimal noise level. -Emergency deployments may be in resource-deprived environments with austere living conditions. -Travel for extended periods may be by air and/or other modes of transportation. -While international travel is not a regular part of every job, programmatic needs may require it intermittently. -Project HOPE employees may be required to travel or work in countries where working conditions are classified as “hardship.” Due to the substantial number of inquiries, we receive, only candidates who have met the required experience qualifications for this position will be considered. No phone calls please. However, since we are active around the world in the field of public health, we may wish to retain your CV in our database for other/future opportunities, unless you direct us otherwise. Thank you very much for your interest in Project HOPE.