JOB DESCRIPTION: (WOMAN) CONSULTANT PROGRAM OFFICER – COUNSELLING
Table of Contents
ABOUT SNEHA
A secular, Mumbai-based non-profit organisation, SNEHA believes that investing in women’s health and well-being is essential to building viable urban communities. SNEHA works on four large public health areas: maternal and newborn health, child health and nutrition, sexual and reproductive health, and prevention of violence against women and children.
SNEHA recognises that in order to improve urban health standards, our initiatives must target both care-seekers and care providers. We work to empower women and residents of informal settlements to be catalysts of change in their own right and collaborate with existing public systems to create sustainable improvements in gender and urban health.
SNEHA works with different constituencies of urban communities across service-based, community-based and public-private partnerships.
The position is based in Dharavi under the Gender Resource Centre project, but requires to travel across Mumbai based on requirements.
THE PROFILE
The counsellor will provide counselling and mental health services to survivors of gender-based violence that get reported to SNEHA by the partner organisations of the Gender Resource Centre and through helpline numbers. The counselling centre will be functional in the working hours of SNEHA.
The Program Officer (Counselling) will be responsible for:
- Managing and responding to cases that are referred by partner organisations and through the help line to offer crisis counselling services and immediate relief for mental health and domestic violence problems, Offering basic counselling – empathetic listening, reflection and validation and management of emotions (grief, panic, feelings of helplessness mainly recognition and acceptance). Suicide risk assessment and immediate management of suicide
- Networking with other service providing agencies in the interest of the survivor of mental health issues and domestic violence and making appropriate referrals (police, legal, health, and NGOs).
- Administrative responsibility of maintaining case records, registers, writing referral letters, writing minutes, collecting, entering and sharing data with the team, etc.
- Preparing case studies.
- Sharing relevant behaviour change communication material or training modules with beneficiaries and concerned.
- Adherence to SNEHA values, policies and guidelines.Monitoring the calls and recoded data and take Follow up action accordingly.
- Field visits for engagement with stakeholders.Handling and managing helpline cases reported, Coordinating and supporting the case worker to conduct field visits and holding conversations and support to client and families in the community during community visits or case referrals
Any other work that may be assigned to achieve the programmatic and organisational goals.
The incumbent reports to the Program Coordinator and will have regular feedback meetings and share updates about case worker.
EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS
- Educational qualification: Master’s Degree (Counselling/Social Work/Psychology/Allied).
- At least 2-3 years’ work experience in crisis counselling and intervention.
- Command over the English language is desirable. Hindi and Marathi- fluency is desirable.
- MS Office skills are desirable.
- Prior experience in working with survivors of gender-based violence is necessary.
MANAGERIAL (LEADERSHIP) COMPETENCIES
- Effective team management skills, including problem-solving and conflict-resolution abilities.
- Proven ability to work with a variety of stakeholders including companies, government organisations, community organisations, etc.
- Staying focused on goals to ensure desired outcomes.
- Ability to stay calm, think clearly and give guidance in a crisis.
PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES
- Unflinching commitment to gender equality and women’s rights.
- Ability to put aside personal biases and religious/cultural/social/economic upbringing/values when working with survivors of violence.
- Effective communication and inter-personal skills.
- Ability to manage change and diversity.
- Enthusiasm for community engagement and networking.
- Strong sense of empathy, and negotiation and persuasion skills.
- Sound values and work ethics.
- Willingness to travel within Mumbai and its environs.
- Willingness to work late and on weekends, if necessary for a case.
SALARY AND EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS
Salary will be as per existing bands and based on qualifications, prior experience and suitability to the role.
APPLICATIONS
Interested candidates can send their CV and a cover letter via email to damini.pandey@snehamumbai.org with the subject “Consultant Program Officer (Woman): Counselling”
