Psychosocial Support Counselor
About Jusoor
Jusoor, which means "bridges" in Arabic, is an international NGO with the mission of “Maximizing the potential of Syrian youth through education”. Founded in 2011 by Syrian Diaspora in the private sector, Jusoor is a unique model of humanitarian intervention known for its innovative approach, dynamic and continuously improving programs, high-velocity execution, and the strength of its global partnerships. We believe in lean impact, and hold ourselves accountable for being nimble and responsive to the realities of Syrian children and youth on the ground and in the diaspora. We are also non-political, non-religious and globally registered in the US, Canada, UK, Jordan and Lebanon.
Over the last 12 years, Jusoor has been bridging the opportunity gap for war- and displacement- affected children at each developmental stage through to their early career. Through our 4 programs – Refugee Education, Scholarships, Entrepreneurship and Career Development — we have impacted the lives of over 15,000 children and youth through creating diverse and meaningful educational pathways in the Middle East, US, UK, Europe, and Asia; trained over 2,000 entrepreneurs; and empowered over 600 businesses and startups through mobilizing over 23million USD in global support. Our specialized and committed team of 25 staff and 50 frontline educators work passionately to empower and elevate generations of Syrian youth.
Join our
Refugee Education Program
and Make an Impact
Since June 2013, Jusoor’s Refugee Education Program in Lebanon has helped thousands of displaced Syrian children continue their education outside of Syria. The program seeks to ensure Syrian refugee children as well as other vulnerable Lebanese children have a holistic, well-rounded primary school education and a strong psychosocial support system. Our education programs have been developed as responses to distinct challenges that children face due to the impact of the conflict in Syria as well as Lebanon’s economic crisis, ranked as possibly amongst the worst top 3 worldwide since 1850, according to the World Bank.
Jusoor’s Refugee Education Program is designed to prepare students to transition into Lebanese formal schooling as smoothly as possible and catch up on gaps in education that many of Jusoor’s students have experienced. It provides children with the opportunities that they need to succeed and the skills and knowledge to rebuild future generations.
About the Role
Jusoor’s Refugee Education Program seeks to ensure Syrian refugees in Lebanon have a holistic, well rounded education, introducing contextual and relevant curricula and teaching methods to deliver informal education, and providing a strong psycho-social support within the framework of community engagement and rehabilitation. The program is designed to prepare students to transition into formal education as smoothly as possible, and catch up on gaps of education that many of Jusoor’s students have experienced.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Support Student Psychosocial Wellbeing and Learning Difficulties
- Conduct daily field visits to Jusoor’s Refugee Education Centers in the Bekaa (Jurahiya and Jeb Jennine).
- Apply non-formal placement and performance tests for students, including but not limited to Attention tests, Cognitive placement tests, Group projective tests, etc.
- Arrange both one-on-one and group sessions with students covering a wide range of topics, including but not limited to supporting improved behavioral change, emotional expression, enhanced comprehension, and critical thinking.
- Following severe cases among students that suffer from behavioral disorders and psychological issues
- Work on a 1-1 basis with specific students when referred by the principal, following up on a regular basis with these students and provide written recommendations to the administration of the school on ways to help specific students.
2. Build Teacher Capacity to Support Diverse Learning Needs
- Aid teachers with students who are facing behavioral problems in classes.
- Work with teachers on adapting the objectives and the skills of students with special educational needs.
- Aid teachers with students who are facing behavioral problems in classes.
- Provide and coach teachers on specific techniques of how to deliver certain objectives and help students to adapt with the classroom standards
- Aid teachers with methods for better classroom management and follow up on teacher’s implementation of recommendations, and set one-to-one meetings with teachers to help with student management.
3. Parents and Teacher Wellbeing
- Organize individual and group sessions with parents, in order to support their stress through psychosocial counselling.
- Provide psychosocial support to teachers and REP staff when needed.
- Ensure confidentiality and discretion between the REP teaching team, parents and wider community.
- Mediate any disputes or conflicts that arise between any beneficiary parties.
4. Reporting and Documentation
- Report on all activities undertaken to Jusoor’s Head of Refugee Education
- Observe students in class & playground, and report on observations in writing, give feedback and guidance to teachers.
- Keep a record of all cases and school-related counseling sessions and ensure they remain confidential.
- Liaise with Jusoor’s Monitoring and Evaluation Coordinator for data collection on students, teachers and parent wellbeing and skills.
5. Coordination, Training, and Workshop Facilitation
- Ensure the overall psychosocial wellbeing of the students, teachers, and parents in coordination with Jusoor’s Beirut-based Psychosocial Support Counsellor.
- Coordinating with teachers. Academic Coordinator, and REP’s Admin Assistant.
- Organizing awareness and self-care sessions with the therapeutic team.
- Organizing workshops and training sessions. Topics include:
1. Communicational skills among the team members
2. Learning disabilities - symptoms and indicators - among children
3. Child development and developmental disorders
4. Behavioral problems among children
5. Sexual education, body ownership, and consent among children
6. Sexual abuse indicators and symptoms among children
7. Importance of play during childhood
8. Managing screens & social media
9. Positive communication between parents and children
- Conduct or co-conduct counseling or psychoeducation meetings or workshops given to beneficiaries with Jusoor’s Beirut-based Psychosocial Support Counsellor
- Other reasonable duties as assigned by the Executive Director or Refugee Education Team.
Eligibility
- Fluency in English and Arabic both written and verbal
- Team player with strong working relationships and ready to share experiences and knowledge.
- Demonstrates respect for diverse identities, including strong multicultural awareness and gender-sensitive behavior as a member of a global team.
- Possession of a valid driver's license and a car for travel to centers is strongly preferred.
Required Skills and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in social work or psychology required
- Master’s degree in psychology required
- Experience in providing psychosocial support to children in vulnerable contexts, preferably within humanitarian context
- Experience in conducting counseling and awareness sessions
- Experience in collecting information and writing reports
- Experience in working with education projects in a humanitarian/recovery context
- Experience of working in non-governmental organizations
- Passion for supporting education and mental health of Syrian children and their support networks
- Specialization in educational psychology or working with children with learning difficulties strongly preferred
- Specialization in trauma strongly preferred
Culture, Values & Expectations
At Jusoor, we place integrity, accountability, and respect at the core of our values. Jusoor is an equal-opportunity employer committed to creating a welcoming work environment. Jusoor does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, gender, religion, marital status, disability, or sexual orientation. People with disabilities and people of all gender identities are encouraged to apply.
Why Work with Us
- Energetic, diverse and all-star team to work with and learn from
- Generous paid time off and parental policies
- Yearly professional development stipend for courses, conferences, learning materials, and a variety of training opportunities across the organization.
- Opportunities for creativity and directing your career path within the organization
How to Apply
How to Apply
Submit your application including your CV/resume and Cover Letter by Nov 16, 2023.
Applications that do not follow the above instructions will not be considered. We will review your application and if shortlisted, will invite you for an interview.
Submit your application including your CV/resume and Cover Letter by Nov 16, 2023.
Applications that do not follow the above instructions will not be considered. We will review your application and if shortlisted, will invite you for an interview.
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