Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Counselor (Protection)- Local Hire

Position Summary

The MHPSS Counselor (Protection) will provide psychosocial support services within Project HOPE’s Gaza Response protection programming. In a context of active conflict, displacement, exposure to violence, family separation, and heightened protection risks, the role focuses on delivering safe, confidential, and survivor-centered psychosocial support to vulnerable individuals, including women, children, persons with disabilities, and survivors of gender-based violence (GBV).

Principal Responsibilities

• Conduct psychosocial and psychological assessments to identify needs, risks, and priority interventions; develop short-term individualized MHPSS support plans.

• Provide Psychological First Aid (PFA), individual counseling sessions, and evidence-based psychosocial support in line with MHPSS guidelines.

• Support individuals experiencing trauma-related symptoms, anxiety, depression, grief, and stress linked to conflict and displacement.

• Support protection case management processes through psychosocial input and coordinated care planning.

• Identify high-risk cases requiring specialized mental health or protection interventions and facilitate safe referrals.

• Collaborate closely with Protection Case Workers to identify cases requiring specialized psychological care and contribute to individualized case plans.

• Contribute to the development and implementation of referral pathways for protection and MHPSS services.

• Implement safe and appropriate referrals to mental health and specialized protection services, following up in line with established referral pathways.

• Conduct field visits when necessary to assess cases while ensuring confidentiality, safety, and adherence to protection standards.

• Facilitate awareness sessions and educational workshops on mental health, coping strategies, and psychosocial well-being.

• Document assessments, sessions, and follow-ups using approved confidential forms, ensuring secure data storage.

• Prepare weekly and monthly technical reports on MHPSS activities, case trends, challenges, and recommendations.

• Contribute to MEAL activities, including feedback tools, success stories, and lessons learned.

• Provide basic guidance or short training to field teams on PFA, supportive communication, and managing psychological distress.

• Participate in case conferences as needed.

• Ensure all services are delivered in line with safeguarding policies, protection mainstreaming, accountability to affected populations, and Do No Harm principles.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Counseling Psychology, Clinical Psychology, or Community Mental Health.
• 3-7 years of demonstrated experience providing individual counseling and psychosocial support.
• Experience working with women, adolescent girls, and other vulnerable groups in humanitarian or crisis-affected settings.
• Practical knowledge of Psychological First Aid (PFA), trauma-informed approaches, and protection-sensitive psychosocial support.
• Previous experience with local or international NGOs.
• Experience working with survivors of violence, displaced populations, or high-risk groups.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Advanced understanding of psychosocial support methodologies, PFA principles, and experience delivering both individual and group counseling.
• Strong computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
• Flexible, solution-oriented, and strong problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to collaborate effectively within a team.
• Able to work efficiently under pressure and in challenging environments.
• Experience working in conflict-affected or hardship contexts such as Gaza.
• Familiarity with Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) MHPSS guidelines and protection frameworks.