Somalia: Psychosocial counselling for voluntary returnees

Background

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) has been providing relief and development services in the Horn of Africa since 1997. DRC Mogadishu has several food Security and livelihood schemes including but not limited to; (Agriculture and farming support, micro-credit, grants, skills- and vocational training, business training, cash/food for work (asset creation) schemes, local economic development initiatives and even small- and medium enterprise development.

Purpose

The counsellor will provide psychosocial support an approach addressing emotional and social needs of people particularly through counselling sessions but possibly through other proposed methods.

Counselling sessions should be relevant, useful, participatory and individual, the sessions should be directed at specific needs of the returnees and cover the main aspects of psychosocial support in details. The counsellor should use clear and simple language with the returnees’ personal situation and background and also s/he should make the returnees feel at ease and ensure the issues are dealt with in a dignified and proper manner.

Scope of the consultancy

• The assignment is based in Mogadishu but the applicant should be able to provide services in other parts of the country if necessary, in some cases counsellor should be conducted through phone if the returnees are not able to come to the location assigned for but it would be preferably for the counselling to take place in person, this assignment is initially targeted for 30 returnees however the counselling should be provided on an individual as per their arrival in Somalia, the payment will be made on individual bases.

• The counsellor is expected to deliver a minimum of four sessions per returnee and a maximum of eight sessions, depending on needs and relevance. The consultant is also expected to provide invoice per returnee as payment will be conducted on case to case basis.

Key tasks

• The counsellor will deliver individual psychosocial counselling sessions to the returnee coming from Europe, covering the topics mentioned above which are related to general psychosocial well-being, trauma, personal and family issues, reintegration issues and stress relief.

• The service provider will conduct a minimum of four counselling sessions (1 hour period) at least one of which should be in person and make sure that the counselling materials approved by DRC. Other options of conducting the sessions is through phone or skype if the returnees are not able to come to the venue.

• The consultant will provide invoice for the total of counselling sessions per returnee attached with a small note and attendance sheet, the note provides the information about the topics covered without breaking any confidentiality agreement between the returnee and the counsellor, the consultant will raise concerns of the returnee to DRC if the returnee agrees to it and if it is relevant to the reintegration process of the returnee, the counsellor will also refer medical cases to relevant health care facilities.

• The counsellor will produce one final report by the end of this project, the report should include the topics covered for counselling, queries, challenges, lessons learnt and the collaboration with DRC and other relevant topics.

Methodology

Counselling and individual sessions must be delivered with particular attention to

• The specific needs and challenges facing the returnees

• The potential limited educational background of some individuals

• Assisting the returnees in copying with impact of returning to ensure psychosocial stability and reduce psychosocial challenges.

• Supporting the returnees with their social reintegration in to Somali society

• Providing psychosocial counselling to overcome personal and socioeconomic stress and stigmatization.

Key outputs/Deliverables: Working in close collaboration with DRC the counsellor will:

• Develop counselling materials and contents in line with the requirements of this TOR

• Deliver the individual counselling sessions and follow up with the returnees

• Provide a safe, conducive and secured venue for individual counselling

• Submit minimum 1500 words report at the end of the assignment highlighting key outcomes and recommendations

• Conduct a final debriefing session with DRC staff in Mogadishu

DRC responsibilities during the assignment:

• DRC will facilitate for this activity contacting the returnee and informing the service provider.

• DRC will provide transport facilities to the returnees who are in Mogadishu.

Duration of the assignment: the duration of this assignment is up to 15^th May 2017

Reporting Arrangements

The consultant will report to the Reintegration Coordinator and the area Manager.

General

Commitments: DRC/DDG has a Humanitarian Accountability Framework, outlining its global accountability committments. All staff are required to contribute to the achievement of this framework into the work of DRC/DDG (http://www.DRC/DDG.dk/HAF.4265.0.html)

Requirements:

· Advanced university degree in social studies such as psychology, Sociology or related field.

· Qualified psychosocial counsellor practising in Somalia/Mogadishu

· At least three years of experience in providing psychosocial counselling in Mogadishu.

· Three years’ experience working with vulnerable clients including IDPs and returnees.

· Experience working with INGOs on protection and psychosocial assistance programs.

· In-depth knowledge of Somali Health system.

· Excellent writing and oral communication skills.

· Fluent English and Somali languages

Terms of employment

· Open to Somali national only. Position will be based in Mogadishu with frequent travel to other fields

• The consultant will have his own team to work and at no time will DRC be responsible for them.
• The Counsellor will keep information received from DRC and returnees confidential and shall not use the information for any purpose rather than providing assistance to the returnees.

Interested candidates who meet the required qualifications and experience are invited submitting their applications to the email address: drcjobs.moga@drcsomalia.org no later than 30^th December 2016 including:

• Suitability statement including the CV of participating consultant(s) with details of qualifications and experience.

• Short technical proposal that summarizes understanding of the TOR, methodology and the tools to be adopted.

• Draft counselling material and counselling schedule per returnee.

• Financial proposal providing consultancy fees containing breakdown of costs.

• Contacts of three organizations that have recently contracted to carry out similar assignment.