Experience Required

Less than 1 year

Required Skills

Reporting

Documentation

Psychosocial Counselling

Monitoring and Supervision

Healthcare Consulting

Position

Psychosocial Counselor (Short-Term Assignment)

Duty Station: Primarily based at Thapathali Maternity Hospital, Kathmandu, with field visits for home-based follow-up counseling as required.

Contract Duration

2–3 months (short-term, target-based assignment)

Number of Positions

15-20

Background

FAITH Nepal is implementing a maternal mental health initiative aimed at identifying and supporting mothers experiencing psychological distress during the perinatal and postnatal periods. Through a digital mental health screening platform developed by FAITH, mothers attending Thapathali Maternity Hospital will be screened for mental health concerns and provided with appropriate psychosocial support and follow-up services.

To support this initiative, FAITH seeks qualified Psychosocial Counselors to conduct mental health screening, provide counseling services, and undertake home-based follow-up visits for identified mothers and families.

Key Responsibilities

Conduct mental health screening of mothers at Thapathali Maternity Hospital using FAITH's online platform, identify those requiring psychosocial support, counseling, or referral services, and ensure confidentiality and ethical standards throughout the process.

Provide individual psychosocial counseling, emotional support, coping strategies, and psychoeducation to identified mothers, while assessing risks and facilitating referrals for specialized mental health or psychiatric services when needed.

Conduct assigned home-based follow-up visits, monitor clients' wellbeing, recovery, and adherence to support plans, and provide ongoing psychosocial counseling and support.

Maintain accurate case records, enter screening and counseling data into FAITH's online platform, submit regular progress reports, and participate in review meetings to report on achievements and challenges.

Coordinate with maternity hospital staff, FAITH project personnel, and referral service providers, and participate in project orientation and technical support sessions.

Professional Training: Minimum six (6) months of certified training in psychosocial counseling is mandatory.

Experience: Prior Experience working in maternal health, reproductive health, maternity services, or related community health programs is preferable.

Skills and Competencies

Strong interpersonal and counseling skills.

Ability to work independently and maintain professional boundaries.

Knowledge of maternal mental health issues and psychosocial support approaches.

Strong documentation and reporting skills.

Fluency in Nepali; knowledge of local languages is an asset.

Type of Engagement

Short-term consultancy/service contract.

Performance and continuation of assignment will be based on achievement of agreed targets, quality of services provided, and timely reporting.

Note: Female candidates and candidates with prior experience in maternal mental health programs are strongly encouraged to apply.

About Company

FAITH (Friends Affected & Infected Together in Hand) is a not for profit, non-governmental organisation working on behalf of socially marginalized and vulnerable populations. It is a national level women-led organization i.e., women are in decision making positions like on the executive board, as general members, in its secretariat.

Our Journey

FAITH emerged in response to a national movement advocating for health rights for people living with HIV (PLHIV) and people who use drugs (PWUD). In the early 2000s, many faced severe illnesses and succumbed to AIDS due to inadequate medical care, pervasive stigma, and government indifference. Communities began forming support networks, aided by international partners’ technical and financial support, leading to the establishment of nationwide organizations often led by those directly affected.

In 2005, FAITH was founded with a mission to create a supportive community for those infected and affected by HIV. From the outset, the organization prioritized advocacy for favorable policies, empowerment, and the transformation of social norms over direct service delivery. The combined efforts of FAITH and similar organizations significantly expanded HIV services, providing hope for productive and fulfilling lives for those living with HIV.

Recognizing the heightened vulnerability of people living with HIV to Tuberculosis (TB), FAITH pioneered programs for TB screening and treatment, now a life-saving standard protocol. This achievement underscored the need to address broader challenges. Adolescents and women living with HIV, female sex workers, and women who use drugs continue to face barriers to accessing health and human rights, prompting FAITH to broaden its scope.

In 2015, FAITH declared itself a women-led organization, marking a pivotal moment in its evolution. The organization expanded its initiatives to include advocacy for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), prevention of gender-based violence, economic empowerment, gender equality, and social equity. Today, FAITH empowers and supports female and trans sex workers, women who use drugs, women living with HIV, girls and women from indigenous and Dalit communities, individuals with disabilities, and those marginalized by geographic isolation, political exclusion, or economic hardships.

Collaborating with beneficiary-led Community-Based Organizations (CBOs), FAITH continues to address crucial issues and foster positive change. Our journey has been a profound learning experience, offering insights into our community and strategies to make governance more responsive and accountable. We are committed to leveraging these lessons to drive innovation and create a society that embraces dignity and equality for vulnerable and marginalized populations.