Purpose of the work:
The Counselor will assume responsibility for the safety and well-being of all of the children and youth participating as beneficiaries and young leaders in the project.  This includes child and youth protection concerns, providing supportive counselling as needed, and assuring logistical arrangements are in order so as not to compromise any aspect of the project experience for children and youth involved.  The Counselor will also be responsible for working with the core project and technical staff and seek support from the OVN management to execute the project activities including conducting trainings on peer support, leadership and other topics to build the capacity of youth involved in the project.

The Counselor initiates to create and provides safe child and youth and women friendly environment and functions also as facilitator, animator, care giver ensuring compliance with OVN rules and regulations. The post holder also builds harmonious and constructive relation between beneficiaries, their family and stakeholders and community people including women, children and youth by observing group dynamics and facilitate accordingly. 

In this project, Counselor will help young people to explore feelings and emotions that are often related to their experiences. This allows beneficiaries to reflect on what is happening to them and consider alternative ways of doing things. Counselor works in a confidential setting and listen attentively to their beneficiaries. They should offer them the time, empathy and respect they need to express their feelings and perhaps understand themselves from a different perspective.
The aim will be to reduce a beneficiaries ‘confusion and enable them to cope with challenges, or to make positive changes in their life where necessary.

Location:  Kathmandu and Pokhara with frequent field visits to the project sites. Preference will be given to local candidates.
Time Frame: 12 months, renewable depending on availability of funding
Salary: According to OVN policy which will commensurate with skills and experiences. 

Qualifications and experience:

• Intermediate/+2 with minimum 2 years’ experience in counseling/social work with having a recognized certification of minimum 6 months counseling training OR Bachelors/Graduate with minimum 1 years’ experience in counseling/social work with recognized certification of 6 months counseling training.
• Minimum of two years direct experience of direct service provision with vulnerable and or exploited children and youth, particularly those who have been victimized by commercial sexual exploitation. 
• Knowledge of child and youth participation methodologies and experience of coordinating youth activities.  
• Fluency in written and spoken English and Nepali.
• Experience providing written reports and documentation of project activities.
• A high degree of personal responsibility and capacity for judgement.
• Willing to travel as and when necessary.
• Skill in one or more participatory techniques like art, drama, puppetry, storytelling etc.
• Demonstrated commitment to improving the lives of child survivors and those at-risk of commercial sexual exploitation through participatory activities and initiatives.
• Learning attitude and highly motivated team player.
• A non-judgmental outlook and a willingness to work with all kinds of people.
• Excellent observation and listening skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-cultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships, both within and outside the organization.
• Writing skill on case study and success story (Most Significant Change - MSC).
• S/he will be a person of high integrity, committed to meeting deadlines, willing to work extra hours with interest in addressing human trafficking victims and vulnerable children and youth, family and community issues.

At all times, the Counselor will be responsible for effecting all tasks with a high degree of honesty and accountability and ensuring that the project fully adheres to principles of child rights and child protection standards provided by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and other national and international legal instruments, national protections mechanism and guidelines, as well as adhering to the specific standards developed by OVN for the purposes of this project.  Guaranteeing the best interests of the children/youth involved, their security and dignity shall be her/his primary responsibility and s/he will be guided by the Project Manager/Coordinator in this matter.

TO APPLY,

This is a full time position and interested candidates are requested to apply by September 8, 2016 specifying the position applied to in the subject line in the given email address. For TOR for this position , please contact us at [email protected]

Child Protection Policy: References will be taken and background checks will be carried out for the successful candidate in conformity with OVN’s Child Protection Policy. 

Only those whose applications are being considered will be contacted. No phone calls please. OVN is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for this position without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, age, disability or marital status.

OR,