Founded in 1987, AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) is a global organization providing cutting-edge medicine and advocacy to over 1, 500, 000 people in 43 countries. In Malawi, AHF is working in partnership with the Ministry of Health (MOH) to strengthen access to quality treatment for HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis (TB) and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI). AHF Malawi is providing these services in twenty five hard to reach health facilities in Dedza, Lilongwe, Ntcheu, Chikwawa and Nsanje Districts.

AHF Malawi wishes to recruit highly qualified and experienced persons to fill the following positions to achieve its objectives in the country.

Psychosocial Counselor

Position Title: Psychosocial Counselor
Reports to: Regional Medical Officer
Duty Stations: Biwi Health Facility in Lilongwe (1) Chinsapo Health Facility in Lilongwe (1)

Overall Responsibility
Provide high-quality psychosocial care services and related therapeutic functions to people living with HIV, their partners, and families. To help improve our service delivery, the incumbent will ensure delivery of the under-prescribed duties and responsibilities in compliance with the existing Malawi Mental Health Treatment Act, Mental Health Policy and Medical Council of Malawi Code of Conduct and Patient Charter.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• • Provide a safe and conducive environment which will aid client’s free expression of feelings.
  • Carry out routine psychological assessments on patients and clients through interviews, observations and tests including assessment for risk of suicidal thoughts.
  • Develop and provide appropriate individual, family and group based psychotherapeutic interventions.
  • Ensure that all clients benefit from psychosocial counseling assessment and appropriate intervention plan is drawn for each client. Ensure proper documentation and storage of client related information such as assessment notes, diagnostic records, intervention plan and treatment/progress records.
  • Maintain clients’ privacy and confidentiality of records concerning their treatment and general matters related to work.
  • Regularly evaluate the Impact of psychotherapeutic interventions and educational programs through operational research and other related developments that are appropriate and relevant to the clients’ and service needs and assist in strengthening the existing programs offered by the Program.
  • Collaborate with other professionals to assess clients’ other needs and plan their treatments.
  • Ensure relevant feedback is given to health care providers who referred the client for psychosocial care services in an appropriate and timely manner.
  • Provide relevant consultation and counseling services to the facility staff whenever necessary.

Qualifications, experience, and other attributes

• • A Diploma in Psychosocial Counselling from a recognized institution.
  • At least two years’ experience in providing psychosocial counselling services including client assessment and providing psychotherapeutic interventions to individual patients, couples, families, and communities.
  • High respect and care for persons living with HIV.
  • In-depth knowledge of HIV program and Ministry of Health service delivery system is preferred.
  • Certified HIV Testing Services providers (HTC Counsellors) and those with experience in working with people living with HIV, particularly children and adolescents will have an added advantage
  • Computer literate with good proficiency in word processing and spreadsheets.
  • Ability to effectively present information in both written and oral forms.

Interested candidates should submit their CVs and cover letters to the following e-mail addresses:  [email protected] .

Closing time and date for receiving applications is 12:00 noon on 04th March 2023. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Kindly include your preferred duty station (where appropriate) in your application letter.