A career counselor at Kopila Valley Sewa Samaj is a professional providing individual and group counseling to the students and alumni of KVSS so that they can make informed decisions about their higher education and career.  This role will be coaching the students and alumni in their search for educational institutions and jobs. This will include helping explore vocational center/college/university, and also internship, part-time, and full-time employment opportunities. This is an important role for the organization since it will administer the future support program for students’ success. This role will coordinate with the academic institutions, career fair organizers, and funding partner BlinkNow Foundation for receiving information and reporting purposes

Work Location: Birendranagar -4, Surkhet
Reporting to: Future Program Coordinator
Number: 1 Position
Contract: long term; full time (annual renewal)

Benefits: Competitive Salary benefit with, Festival allowance, SSF, On-site meals

Nationality: Nepali citizens only

Must Haves:

1. Education: Minimum Bachelor’s degree in career counseling, career education, college student affairs, or relevant discipline
2. Experience: At least 3+ years of proven experience
3. Language: A good communicator, and fluent in English and Nepali
4. Skills and Abilities: Good on using Microsoft Office tools and email, skills to identify and administer appropriate assessment instruments & counseling techniques for individual students/alumni, ability to administer and interpret career assessments, knowledge of career counseling theory and practice, and job search methodology, active listening skills, and passionate about and cares for children and vulnerable population.
5. Works collaboratively in a team setting and can function independently with the least supervision required.

The Main Responsibilities:

1. Provide counseling and mentorship to students to support them in their higher education.
2. Provide career counseling to help them with their career upon graduation.
3. Ensure that Futures data tracking and reporting are done timely and accurately.

Detailed Responsibilities

1. Provide counseling & mentorship to students to support them in their higher education.

• Provide the students with individual and group counseling for their higher education to help them make informed decisions for the courses and institutions they select.
• Support the students with the application process, and school searches for enrollment beyond KVSS.
• Support the students with the application for the higher education scholarships and with their selection process for the scholarships provided by KVSS.
• Collaborate with the schoolteachers to determine appropriate assessments and interventions required to assist students and alumni.
• In coordination with the funding partner, connect students with mentors and international schools for higher education.

2. Provide career counseling to help them with their career upon graduation.

• Conduct counseling sessions to help alumni make informed career decisions. Assist & guide students/alumni through occupational exploration & the career decision-making process.
• Conduct career assessments and interpret the results to incorporate them in career counseling/job search coaching sessions.
• Coach students/alumni in self-directed job search initiatives.
• Support students & alumni with job search preparation work – resume/CV writing, using job search engines/libraries, & interview skills through individualized support & workshops.
• Explore, identify, and connect students with the recruitment services, job listings, on-campus interviews, and career fairs,  

3. Ensure that Futures data tracking and reporting are done timely and accurately.

• Ensure that the data of all alumni is up to date with their progress and current status updated on a regular frequency.
• Generate quarterly impact reports of the alumni’s progress.
• Conduct planned and structured supervision of the students at a regular frequency for tracking progress and providing them with the necessary support.
• Report to the manager and the funding partner on the progress and challenges related to the alumni on regular basis.                                 
• Provide other administrative support as required to achieve the goal of the Futures program

Additional expectations: 

• Build positive working relationships and environment in the organization by bringing solutions to the discussion table.
• Demonstrate professionalism in all interactions and execution of duties including ensuring confidentiality as per the organization’s protocols.
• Report to the manager on a weekly basis, and as needed in case of urgent activities.
• Build and maintain a strong relationship with the leadership team of KVSS and BlinkNow Foundation to ensure the continued success of our joint projects.
• Focus on building the best environment for the students to get the most supportive environment to get career support measured by the data. 

The above list of responsibilities is not comprehensive, and the career counselor may be required to take on additional responsibilities, as determined by his/her manager.

Key Characteristics 

• Build positive working relationships and environment in the organization by bringing solutions to the discussion table.
• Demonstrate professionalism in all interactions and execution of duties including ensuring confidentiality as per the organization’s protocols.
• Report to the manager on a weekly basis, and as needed in case of urgent activities.
• Build and maintain a strong relationship with the leadership team of KVSS and BlinkNow Foundation to ensure the continued success of our joint projects.
• Focus on building the best environment for the students to get the most supportive environment to get career support measured by the data. 
• The above list of responsibilities is not comprehensive, and the career counselor may be required to take on additional responsibilities, as determined by his/her Manager.