Youth Health and Psychosocial Program (YHEPP) is a youth-led initiative founded in December 2014 to advance social development and mental wellness of LGBT youth aged 18-14 in Nairobi County. Our social development program uses activities such as life skills training, basic literacy coaching, social activities that involve youth e.g. sport and community participation.

The mental health program uses counselling and counsellor-led activities such as group therapies. We are looking for a psychologist to lead mental health activities. The successful candidate will undergo probation for a period of three months (October 2016- December 2016); after which he/she will be our lead counsellor in the mental health programs in 2017 upon satisfactory performance.

Reporting the Program Officer, the counsellor should have the following

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Should have a Degree or any higher qualification in Social Psychology with at least 3 years’ demonstrated experience.
2. Must have good communication and facilitation skills.
3. Must be able to interact freely and come up with activities for young LGBT people aged 18-24 and have good understanding of youth cultures in Nairobi.
4. Must have experience in dealing with victims of physical violence, sexual abuse and personal challenges resulting from one’s known or perceived sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI).
5. Must be able to work together with of youthful team members who are gay, lesbian, bisexual and or transgender.
6. Should have one or two social service provider networks outside the mainstream LGBT community in Nairobi.
7. Must have good knowledge of the Kenyan Laws especially those regarding sexuality and handling of minors.
8. Must be able to travel to community grassroots in Nairobi during scheduled home visits and other selected emergencies.
9. Must be open-minded and have respect for all people from all diverse backgrounds e.g. race, religion, age, political affiliation, ethnic origin, weight, social status and other social origins.
10. Satisfactory knowledge of Sheng may be an added advantage.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Receiving referred LGBT youth and scheduling their counselling at convenient locations.
• Working together with the Program Officer to organize group therapy activities, and then leading them.
• Keeping an updated data base of all cases and writing monthly reports of activities undertaken at the end of every 30 working days.
• Developing presentations and facilitating workshops on mental health awareness.
• Attending to LGBT youth in identity crisis, those who want to come out, or those who have just come out.
• Keeping psychological profiles of critical cases and helping to prepare them for referral.
• Representing YHEPP in mental health workshops and strategic meetings.

YHEPP will ensure that there is a fair process of selection. The selected candidate shall be required (after 30 days) to be familiar with The Children’s Act, The penal Code 162-165 and Chapter Four (4) of the Kenyan Constitution 2010 among other provisions.

It is also important to note that this three-month period will be voluntary and YHEPP will meet transport costs during selected activities in this period. This position is open to Kenyan nationals in Nairobi as well as foreign individuals who will be in Nairobi through December 2017.

Interested applicants should send their CV and cover letter to [email protected] by midnight of 30th September 2016. Applications sent later than the said date will not be considered.