Counseling Psychologist

BACKGROUND.

Ndoto: For Africa’s Future is a Christ-centered community development organization that works in the Obunga slum of Kisumu, Kenya. Ndoto is a Swahili word meaning “dream.” We aim to give at-risk youth a chance to dream for themselves, their community, and the kingdom of God through education, discipleship, and development. As an organization, we believe that forgotten communities can be transformed from the inside out. Our dream is to see entire communities changed, not only individual lives transformed. We encourage our students to dream not only about what job they want to have, and who they want to become, but also how they can give back to their community. We invest in people as a whole and empower them to reach their potential, so they will be equipped to become the community leaders of tomorrow. Our primary programs include the sponsorship of bright and needy students’ education, Ndoto Community Church, Ndoto Sports, and Ndoto Academy, our private Christian school.

For more information about our organization, please visit www.ndoto.org

Counseling Psychologist

Job Type: Full Time

Location: Obunga – Kisumu

 

PURPOSE

The Counseling Psychologist will play a crucial role in providing psychological support to children, adolescents and young adults from the sponsorship and discipleship programs. The role involves offering individual and group counseling, developing mental health programs, and working closely with other team members to ensure the holistic well-being of the program beneficiaries. The psychologist will integrate Christian values into therapeutic practices, promoting healing and growth through faith-based approaches.

JOB DESCRIPTION

1. Provide Psychological Support and Faith-Based Counseling
   • Conduct individual and group counseling sessions for children, focusing on trauma, grief, anxiety, and other mental health issues.
   • Develop and implement therapeutic interventions tailored to the needs of children from vulnerable backgrounds.
   • Integrate Christian principles and teachings into counseling sessions, fostering spiritual and emotional growth.
   • Offer guidance and support that aligns with the organization’s Christian values and mission.
2. Assessment and Diagnosis
   • Perform psychological assessments to identify emotional, behavioral, and mental health issues.
   • Develop and monitor individualized care plans for each child, adjusting interventions as needed.
3. Program Development and Implementation
   • Collaborate with the Program Director and other team members to design and implement mental health programs.
   • Organize workshops and training sessions for staff and caregivers on child psychology, trauma-informed care, and spiritual counseling.
4. Collaboration, Advocacy and Community Engagement
   • Work closely with social workers, educators, and other professionals to provide comprehensive care.
   • Advocate for the mental health needs of the children within the organization, Ndoto Academy and the broader Obunga Community.
   • Participate in community outreach programs to promote mental health awareness and support services.
   • Build relationships with local churches, faith-based organizations, and community leaders to strengthen the support network for vulnerable children.
5. Documentation and Reporting:
   • Maintain accurate and confidential records of counseling sessions, assessments, and progress reports.
   • Provide regular updates and reports to the Program Director and other relevant stakeholders.
   • Write and submit monthly staff reports.
6. Attend to any other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

PERSON SPECIFICATIONS

• Should have at least a Bachelor’s Degree in Counseling Psychology, Clinical Psychology, or a related field, and licensed to practice in Kisumu.
• Should be a born-again Christian.
• Experience and skills:
  • Should have at least 3 years of experience in counseling, preferably with children and adolescents in a faith-based organization.
  • Should have a strong understanding of child development and trauma-informed care.
  • Should have the ability to integrate Christian values into therapeutic practices.
  • Should have proficiency in assessment and diagnosis of psychological concerns.
• Personal attributes:
  • Should be aligned with Ndoto’s vision, mission, and values.
  • Should have strong written and verbal communication skills in English and Swahili, with Luo as an added benefit.
  • Should have the ability to work collaboratively as part of a team.
  • Should have empathy and compassion for children from vulnerable communities.
  • Should have cultural sensitivity and the ability to work with diverse populations.
  • Should have strong ethical standards and the ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Strongest applicants will be:
  • Trained in child psychology.
  • Certified in trauma counseling.
  • A creative self-starter with a strong results orientation and with high levels of integrity, credibility and dependability.
  • A lifelong learner.
  • Flexible and adaptable in a dynamic and sometimes challenging environment.

HOW TO APPLY

We invite interested candidates who meet the requirements to email their applications to apply@ndoto.org

Applications should include:

1. A one-page cover letter explaining why you are applying for this position, and how your recent relevant experience and skills meet the requirements for this position.
2. A Curriculum Vitae specifying your qualifications, education and relevant work experience.
3. Names, email addresses and daytime contact numbers of three to four references, one of them being your current or last manager/supervisor.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and a successful candidate may be selected at any time. The organization expects to have a candidate hired by 1 December 2024. Candidates are encouraged to submit their applications as soon as possible.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to participate in an interview.

Compensation will be commensurate with experience and qualification.

Due to the high number of applications expected, only successful candidates will be contacted.