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

About the role

Project HOPE, an international NGO, is recruiting a Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Counselor (Protection) for its Gaza Response protection programming. The role provides safe, confidential, survivor-centered psychosocial support to vulnerable people, including women, children, persons with disabilities and survivors of gender-based violence, in a context of active conflict, displacement and exposure to violence. It is advertised contingent on award: the recruitment proceeds as part of organizational preparedness but no formal offer is made until funding is confirmed.

Key responsibilities

• Conduct psychosocial and psychological assessments, identify needs and risks, and develop short-term individualized MHPSS support plans.
• Provide Psychological First Aid (PFA), individual counseling and evidence-based psychosocial support in line with MHPSS guidelines.
• Support protection case management and help identify high-risk cases needing specialized mental health or protection intervention, with safe referrals.
• Collaborate with Protection Case Workers, contribute to referral pathways and implement referrals to mental health and protection services, following up along established pathways.
• Carry out field visits when necessary, keeping confidentiality and protection standards.
• Run awareness sessions and workshops on mental health, coping strategies and psychosocial well-being.
• Document assessments and sessions on approved confidential forms, prepare weekly and monthly technical reports, and contribute to MEAL activities.
• Give basic guidance or short training to field teams on PFA, supportive communication and managing psychological distress, and take part in case conferences.
• All work follows safeguarding, accountability to affected populations and Do No Harm principles.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Counseling Psychology, Clinical Psychology or Community Mental Health.
• 3-7 years of experience providing individual counseling and psychosocial support.
• Experience with women, adolescent girls and other vulnerable groups in humanitarian or crisis-affected settings.
• Previous experience with local or international NGOs.
• Experience with survivors of violence, displaced populations or high-risk groups.
• Preferred: experience in conflict-affected or hardship contexts such as Gaza, and familiarity with IASC MHPSS guidelines and protection frameworks.

Required skills

• Psychological First Aid (PFA) and trauma-informed, protection-sensitive psychosocial support.
• Individual and group counseling.
• Preferred: strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office.