Counselling jobs in South Africa

The incumbent will work in close collaboration with the Lay Mental Health Lead to oversee the delivery of high-quality mental health services within the Kuyakhanya Project. This role includes providing clinical supervision and guidance to Lay Mental Health Counsellors, ensuring effective screening and counseling services. S/he will also deliver direct therapeutic interventions for severe or complex cases and lead capacity-building initiatives to strengthen the skills and knowledge of Lay Mental Health Counsellors involved in the project.

• Provide weekly individual and group clinical supervision to Lay Mental Health Counsellors to enhance their counselling skills and address technical challenges.
• Offer debriefing and emotional support to promote Lay Mental Health Counsellors’ well-being and resilience.
• Manage severe mental health cases referred by Lay Mental Health Counsellors, conducting counselling for individuals with critical needs.
• Serve as the first escalation point for specialised mental health care, ensuring appropriate case management and referrals.
• Collaborate with Department of Health (DoH) Nurses and Community Care Givers to facilitate smooth referrals to higher-level care or district hospitals.
• Support the onboarding, mentorship, and capacity-building of new and existing Lay Mental Health Counsellors to strengthen service delivery.
• Host group support sessions for ECD practitioners and caregivers as needed.
• Ensure that all counselling sessions and referrals adhere to professional and ethical standards.
• Maintain detailed supervision notes, clinical documentation, and referral tracking records.
• Work closely with the Lay Mental Health Lead to ensure alignment with project goals and South African mental health protocols.
• Participate in periodic training and mentorship sessions for the mental health team.
• Submit regular updates to the Lay Mental Health Lead, highlighting progress, challenges, and trends in service delivery.
• Contribute to quarterly project reports and participate in review meetings.
• Provide part-time services at Umzumbe Municipality Primary Health Clinics and coordinate availability for community activities with the Lay Mental Health Lead.

• A Bachelor's degree in Psychology (BPsych) or an equivalent qualification, with registration as a Psychological Counsellor with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA).

• A minimum of 2 years of experience in community-based mental health services or counselling.
• Familiarity with rural or low-resource settings in South Africa.
• Experience coordinating with government health departments or NGOs.
• Preferred experience in providing debriefing and supervision to community counsellors.

• Strong counselling and supervision skills.
• In-depth knowledge of South African mental health protocols, particularly at the Primary Health Care level.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Proficiency in both isiZulu and English (spoken and written).
• Ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and confidentiality.
• Sensitivity to cultural and contextual factors in service delivery.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently.
• Flexibility to travel within the Umzumbe Municipality as required.