ACBAR

Social and Humanitarian Assistance Organization (SHAO) is an Afghan NGO working in the sectors of formal education support, community education, women empowerment, child protection, WASH, nutrition/cash transfer, migration, livelihood support, capacity building, advocacy and infrastructure rehabilitation.

SHAO was established in 2009 after receiving working license from Afghan Ministry of Economy. The main office is located in Kabul with access to Kandahar, Helmand, Urozgan, Nimroz, Kunduz and Zabul provinces.

To provide psychosocial counseling services that support Afghan women and adolescent girls in improving their mental health and well-being, increasing their resilience, and enhancing their capacity to participate actively in community life. 

1. Counseling Services: 

• Provide individual and group counseling sessions for women and adolescent girls attending literacy and livelihood courses. 
• Offer psychosocial support with a specific focus on survivors of GBV, addressing trauma, stress, and emotional well-being. 
• Facilitate discussions and activities that promote social-emotional learning (SEL) among participants. 

2. Referral and Support: 

• Identify beneficiaries requiring specialized mental health services and refer them to appropriate service providers. 
• Collaborate with local health facilities and organizations to ensure effective referral pathways for beneficiaries in need of further support. 

3. Community Engagement: 

• Engage with local communities, including Village Literacy Committees (VLCs), to raise awareness of the importance of mental health and psychosocial support. 
• Conduct community outreach activities to foster understanding of mental health issues and reduce stigma related to seeking psychosocial support. 

4. Training and Capacity Building: 

• Support training sessions for literacy facilitators and community mobilizers on basic mental health awareness, GBV response, and psychosocial support techniques. 
• Conduct workshops on positive coping mechanisms and stress management techniques for beneficiaries. 

5. Monitoring and Reporting: 

• Maintain accurate records of counseling sessions, referrals, and beneficiary progress. 
• Provide regular reports on counseling activities, including challenges encountered, lessons learned, and recommendations for improving psychosocial services. 

• Bachelor's degree in Psychology (not mandatory) , Social Work, or a related field or relevant work experience.  
• At least 3 years of experience providing counseling or psychosocial support, preferably at a community level.  
• Experience working with women and adolescent girls, particularly survivors of GBV, is highly desirable. 
• Strong cultural sensitivity and understanding of the Afghan context. 
• Fluency in Dari and/or Pashto; knowledge of English is an asset. 

Competencies: 

• Demonstrated understanding of psychosocial support principles and experience in delivering community-based services. 
• Ability to engage effectively with community leaders and members to promote awareness and participation. 
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with empathy and a non-judgmental attitude. 
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multi-disciplinary team 

All interested applicants must send application to humanresources.shao@gmail.com  by stating name of the position and VA number in subject line or submitted application to SHAO main office in Kabul. Address: House No. 44, 8^th Lane, Khalid bin Waleed Mosque Alley, 4^th Street, Silo Area, City district #3, Dehbori, Kabul, Afghanistan

humanresources.shao@gmail.com