The Center for Victims of Torture (CVT) is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to providing trauma rehabilitative services to survivors of gross human rights abuses, including torture and works towards a future in which gross human rights violations cease to exist and victims have hope for a new life. We are headquartered in Minnesota, USA with offices in Africa and the Middle East. We work locally, nationally and internationally through programs that provide trauma rehabilitative services, technical assistance and capacity building to human rights activists, civil society organizations, and local service providers around the world who can prevent and treat gross human rights abuses, and advocate for human rights and an end to gross human rights violations.

Duty Station: Gambella, Ethiopia.

Required No: 3 (Three)

These are full-time positions based in Gambella, Ethiopia with daily travel to Nguenyyiel Refugee Camp. The position holders will report to the Expert Psychotherapist/Trainer clinically, and to the Area Manager administratively.

Duties and Responsibilities

Counselors will have the following major duties and responsibilities: 

• Attend, participate in, and utilize material covered in intensive initial and ongoing trainings. 

• Provide psychosocial support and Psychological First Aid (PFA) to refugees. 

• Conduct screening and comprehensive assessment of beneficiaries and potential clients.

• Provide individual and group counseling sessions and other clinical interventions for clients and beneficiaries as eligible, on determination through screening and assessments completed. 

• Conduct and submit Screening and Intake assessments accurately and on time. 

• Complete clinical activity reports and updates, progress notes, and treatment plans accurately and on time. 

• Sensitize the community population about mental health, torture, trauma and SGBV. 

• Expected to become proficient with CVT’s data collection tools, and uphold the CVT PHI policy. 

• Work closely with the M&E staff to ensure quality and timely reporting. 

• Act as cultural and linguistic interpreters when needed. 

• Ensure all work with clients is confidential and that ethical standards and practices are upheld and observed. 

• Assist in designing, planning, implementing and facilitating of external trainings for numerous target groups. 

• Develop new and strengthen existing referral systems with other organizations in Gambella. 

• Liaise with other stakeholders and partner organizations as deemed necessary. 

• Engage in quality self-care through personal strategies, supervision, debriefings, and other shared sessions. 

• Attend to any other duties assigned by the Psychotherapist/Trainer. 

• This profile can be modified to adapt to the project context in light of the project needs. 

Terms of Employment: The initial contract will be from the Date of Hire through to August 31, 2025 with a 60 business days probationary period. Any possibility of continuation with engagement thereafter will be dependent on the availability of funding.

CVT has a zero tolerance to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse of beneficiaries. Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) is everyone’s responsibility and all staff are required to adhere to the Code of Conduct, that enshrines principles of PSEA, always (both during work hours and outside work hours). 

Job Requirements

Qualifications:  

• Must have a bachelor’s degree in counselling psychology or clinical psychology, Social Work, or other related fields.  A higher degree in Psychology is preferred.

• Must have one-year experience in similar settings in an international NGO in humanitarian sector. 

• Experience in GBV response and prevention program implementation is an advantage. 

• Experience working in Gambella is desirable. 

Competencies (Knowledge, Skills and Abilities)

• Required: Computer literacy in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and Outlook). 

• Required: Fluency in English and Amharic. Knowledge of Nuer is an added advantage. 

• Required: Demonstrated flexibility and adaptability to work in a complex and challenging environment, with changing and unpredictable conditions, procedures and/or policies and required tasks.

• Required: Good communication, organizational, interpersonal and problem-solving skills.

• Required: Highly self-motivated, a self-starter and consistently uphold ethical standards and practice. 

• Required: Ability to work independently and corporately in a team as an active member. 

• Required: Demonstrate cultural sensitivity in the implementation of project activities, including a commitment to upholding confidentiality, embracing diversity, equity and inclusion; and the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment. 

• Preferred: Experience living in the Gambella Region and working with refugee populations.

General Requirements

• Strong commitment to serve clients and beneficiaries of CVT’s project regardless their religion, ethnicity, disability, gender, minority affiliation or ethnic/political background. 

• Is committed to respect CVT’s confidentiality policy and refrain from using or sharing any information regarding CVT operations or beneficiaries without prior approval. 

• 3. Is obligated to report to the supervisor any information concerning the security and safety of CVT staff and/or of CVT beneficiary. 

How to Apply

Interested and qualified candidates should email a copy of their CV and  application letter, clearly articulating in English motivation for applying, qualifications and experiences that are relevant to 

the position to Marwa.Alwal@CVT.ORG and copy  cvtethr@cvt.org, with the subject title “Counselor, [Your Name].” Include the name and contact information of three work related referees in the CV.  Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interview process.

Closing date for applications: October 11, 2024 before 5:30pm

Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.