MHPSS Para-counsellor

Job Description

Title: MHPSS Para-counsellor

Company Name: International Rescue Committee (IRC)

Vacancy: --

Location: Cox's Bazar (Teknaf)

Experience:
∎ At least 1 year
∎ The applicants should have experience in the following business area(s):NGO

Published: 4 Jun 2025

Education:
∎ Bachelor/Honors

Requirements:

Additional Requirements:
∎ At least 1 year of working experience
∎ Previous work experience with any local or International NGO will be preferable
∎ Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
∎ Ability to maintain confidentiality and build trust within the community.
∎ Knowledge of the local context, language, and cultural dynamics.
∎ Willingness to travel within assigned community areas.
∎ Ability to manage sensitive issues with diplomacy, cultural sensitivity, and integrity.
∎ People who are familiar with local culture and have proficiency in local dialects will get preference
∎ Bachelor’s/ Master’s in Social Science or equivalent combination of education
∎ At least 1 year of working experience
∎ Previous work experience with any local or International NGO will be preferable
∎ Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
∎ Ability to maintain confidentiality and build trust within the community.
∎ Knowledge of the local context, language, and cultural dynamics.
∎ Willingness to travel within assigned community areas.
∎ Ability to manage sensitive issues with diplomacy, cultural sensitivity, and integrity.
∎ People who are familiar with local culture and have proficiency in local dialects will get preference
∎
∎ Specific Educational Qualification
∎ Bachelor’s/ Master’s in Social Science or equivalent combination of education
∎

Responsibilities & Context:
∎ Provide basic psychological first aid (PFA) and emotional support to individuals and families in the community
∎ Identify individuals in psychological distress and refer them to MHPSS Counsellors or PHC services as appropriate
∎ Facilitate peer support groups, psycho-education sessions, and group discussions using structured, approved materials
∎ Promote positive coping mechanisms and wellbeing strategies among community members
∎ Conduct regular home visits, community meetings, and outreach activities to increase awareness about mental health and available services
∎ Participate in community mobilization and sensitization efforts related to MHPSS
∎ Support community engagement and feedback mechanisms to improve program acceptance and quality
∎ Identify individuals who may require specialized MHPSS services and ensure timely referral to MHPSS Counsellors or PHC facilities
∎ Track referrals and follow-up on cases, under the guidance of the MHPSS Supervisor
∎ Maintain confidentiality and uphold ethical standards in all case management and communication
∎ Attend regular supervision sessions with the MHPSS Counsellor or Supervisor to discuss cases, challenges, and self-care
∎ Participate in all required training and refresher workshops related to psychosocial support, child protection, GBV, and community health
∎ Record outreach and support activities using standard templates or digital tools
∎ Assist in collecting community-level data related to psychosocial wellbeing, service gaps, and risk factors
∎ Contribute to weekly and monthly reports on MHPSS activities, under the supervision of MHPSS staff
∎ 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
∎ The MHPSS Para-counsellor will work under the supervision of the MHPSS counsellor and in close collaboration with MHPSS Counsellors to support the delivery of basic mental health and psychosocial support services at the community level. The Para-counsellor will engage directly with individuals, families, and community groups to provide basic emotional support, identify psychosocial needs, conduct referrals, and raise awareness on mental health issues using culturally sensitive, participatory approaches.
∎ Work Location: Nayapara Registered Camp
∎ Line Manager: MHPSS Counsellor
∎ Contract Length: 31st December 2025 (With Possibilities of Extension)
∎ Highlights of Key Responsibilities:
∎ Community-based Psychosocial Support:
∎ Provide basic psychological first aid (PFA) and emotional support to individuals and families in the community
∎ Identify individuals in psychological distress and refer them to MHPSS Counsellors or PHC services as appropriate
∎ Facilitate peer support groups, psycho-education sessions, and group discussions using structured, approved materials
∎ Promote positive coping mechanisms and wellbeing strategies among community members
∎ Outreach & Community Engagement:
∎ Conduct regular home visits, community meetings, and outreach activities to increase awareness about mental health and available services
∎ Participate in community mobilization and sensitization efforts related to MHPSS
∎ Support community engagement and feedback mechanisms to improve program acceptance and quality
∎ Referral and Case Identification:
∎ Identify individuals who may require specialized MHPSS services and ensure timely referral to MHPSS Counsellors or PHC facilities
∎ Track referrals and follow-up on cases, under the guidance of the MHPSS Supervisor
∎ Maintain confidentiality and uphold ethical standards in all case management and communication
∎ Capacity Building and Supervision:
∎ Attend regular supervision sessions with the MHPSS Counsellor or Supervisor to discuss cases, challenges, and self-care
∎ Participate in all required training and refresher workshops related to psychosocial support, child protection, GBV, and community health
∎ Monitoring, Reporting, and Documentation:
∎ Record outreach and support activities using standard templates or digital tools
∎ Assist in collecting community-level data related to psychosocial wellbeing, service gaps, and risk factors
∎ Contribute to weekly and monthly reports on MHPSS activities, under the supervision of MHPSS staff

Compensation & Other Benefits:
∎ Weekly 2 holidays, Insurance, Gratuity, Mobile bill
∎ Two retention benefits in a year equivalent to two basic salaries.
∎ Two retention benefits in a year equivalent to two basic salaries.

Workplace:
∎ Work at office

Employment Status: Contractual

Job Location: Cox's Bazar (Teknaf)

Read Before Apply:

Standard of Professional Conduct

The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way - our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality.

"Please note that any form of persuasion or undue influence will result in immediate disqualification from the selection process."

Company Information:
∎ International Rescue Committee (IRC)
∎ 3rd floor, Sayemon Heritage Residence, Baharchora, Cox’s Bazar
∎ The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover and gain control of their future. In more than 40 countries and in 26 U.S. cities, our dedicated teams provide clean water, shelter, health care, education, protection and empowerment support to refugees and displaced people. The International Rescue Committee (IRC) Founded in 1933. David Miliband, President and CEO of the International Rescue Committee, is a former Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom.

Address::
∎ 3rd floor, Sayemon Heritage Residence, Baharchora, Cox’s Bazar
∎ The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover and gain control of their future. In more than 40 countries and in 26 U.S. cities, our dedicated teams provide clean water, shelter, health care, education, protection and empowerment support to refugees and displaced people. The International Rescue Committee (IRC) Founded in 1933. David Miliband, President and CEO of the International Rescue Committee, is a former Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom.

Application Deadline: 10 Jun 2025

Category: NGO/Development