Mental Health Counsellor

Job Description

Title: Mental Health Counsellor

Company Name: HOPE Foundation for Women & Children of Bangladesh.

Vacancy: --

Age: 25 to 40 years

Job Location: Cox`s Bazar (Ukhia)

Salary: Negotiable

Experience:

Published: 1-01-01

Application Deadline: 2026-10-20

Education:

• Bachelor of Social Science (BSS)

• Age 25 to 40 years

About HOPE Foundation

HOPE Foundation for Women and Children of Bangladesh (HOPE) is a Bangladeshi non-governmental organization working to improve the health and wellbeing of women, children and vulnerable communities. Established in 1999, HOPE has been providing healthcare and humanitarian services in Cox’s Bazar for more than two decades, including maternal and newborn health, hospital-based care, community health, mental health and psychosocial support, and health services for Rohingya refugees and host communities.

HOPE operates HOPE Field Hospital in Camp 4, a key healthcare and referral facility serving Rohingya refugees, and works in coordination with government authorities, UN agencies and development and humanitarian partners to deliver accessible, quality and compassionate healthcare.

1. Position Summary

The Mental Health Counsellor will provide confidential, culturally sensitive and client-centred MHPSS to Rohingya refugees and vulnerable host-community members. The Counsellor will conduct mental health assessments, provide individual and group counselling, deliver PFA and evidence-informed psychosocial interventions, support coping and stress management, and facilitate appropriate referrals. The position will work closely with medical and MHPSS teams, CHWs, CHVs and other service providers to ensure coordinated and continuous care.

2. Key Responsibilities

Mental Health Counselling and Support

• Conduct psychosocial and mental health assessments using approved tools.

• Provide individual, family and group counselling based on assessed needs.

• Provide follow-up counselling and monitor client progress.

• Identify clients requiring specialized care and facilitate referral and follow-up.

PFA, Risk Identification and Referral

• Provide Psychological First Aid using the Look–Listen–Link approach.

• Identify signs of severe psychological distress, suicidal ideation/self-harm, severe mental illness, abuse, neglect and protection concerns.

• Conduct initial risk assessment within the scope of training and organizational protocols.

• Immediately refer/escalate high-risk cases according to established procedures.

• Maintain confidentiality, professional boundaries and client safety.

Community and Integrated NCD–Mental Health Services

• Facilitate group sessions, psychoeducation, mental health awareness and stress-management activities.

• Participate in community outreach with CHWs and CHVs and promote appropriate help-seeking.

• Support mental health screening among NCD and other clinical patients.

• Provide psychosocial support to people living with chronic diseases and their caregivers.

• Participate in multidisciplinary case discussions and coordinated care.

Documentation and Reporting

• Maintain accurate, confidential client and counselling records.

• Document assessments, counselling sessions, referrals and follow-up using approved systems.

• Ensure timely reporting of service data and project indicators.

• Support data quality, monitoring and continuous quality improvement.

Training, Supervision and Safeguarding

• Participate in supervision, case conferences, training and professional development.

• Comply with HOPE's Safeguarding, PSEA, Child Safeguarding, Code of Conduct and confidentiality policies.

• Apply survivor-centred, inclusive and do-no-harm principles in service delivery.

3. Qualifications and Experience

Education

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Psychology, Counselling Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Social Work or a related field from a recognized institution.

• Professional training in counselling or psychological interventions is desirable.

Experience

• Minimum 1–2 years' relevant experience in counselling, mental health or psychosocial support.

• Experience in humanitarian, refugee, community or healthcare settings is highly desirable.

• Experience providing individual/group counselling, psychosocial interventions, mental health screening and referral is preferred.

• Experience working with vulnerable groups, including women, children, adolescents, persons with disabilities or survivors of violence, is an advantage.

4. Skills and Competencies

• Strong counselling, active-listening and interpersonal skills.

• Empathetic, patient and non-judgmental approach.

• Ability to conduct basic mental health assessments and deliver psychosocial interventions.

• Ability to identify cases requiring specialist referral.

• Strong understanding of confidentiality, informed consent and ethical practice.

• Good documentation and reporting skills.

• Ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team.

• Basic computer skills, including MS Word and Excel.

• Ability to work effectively under pressure in a humanitarian environment.

• Respect for Rohingya culture and sensitivity to gender, age, disability and other diversity considerations.

5. Language Requirements

• Fluency in Bangla is required.

• Knowledge of Rohingya language is an advantage.

• Working knowledge of English is desirable.

6. Key Performance Areas

Performance will be assessed based on:

• Quality and appropriateness of counselling and MHPSS services.

• Effective identification, referral and follow-up of high-risk cases.

• Quality and completeness of client documentation.

• Contribution to integrated NCD–Mental Health services.

• Community mental health awareness and outreach.

• Compliance with safeguarding, PSEA, confidentiality and ethical standards.

• Effective teamwork, supervision and coordination.

7. Working Conditions

The position is based at HOPE Field Hospital, Camp 4, Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar, with participation in community outreach and field activities as required. The successful candidate should be able to work effectively in a multicultural humanitarian setting with high client volume and complex psychosocial and protection needs.

HOPE Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to safeguarding, inclusion, dignity and non-discrimination.