Psychotherapist Kids Alive Zambia

We are seeking a qualified and compassionate Child Psychology to join our growing team. You will work with children suffering from a wide range of disorders, e.g. Anxiety, depression, and identity crises, to children seeking to overcome substance abuse, or who are in post-trauma recovery.

The successful candidate must have knowledge and skills to provide quality care to Children and their families in different settings. You will need to be well-versed in the most recent research on child and adolescent therapies.

You will be reporting to the Trauma Care Manager and your duty station shall be our Lilato Children’s Village in Mongu.

Major responsibilities and duties

Trauma Informed Childcare

1. Provide mental health and one-on-one counselling or group therapy.
2. Interview and evaluate children problems to ensure successful and correct treatment and diagnosis.
3. Collaborate with counsellors, physicians, and nurses to plan and coordinate treatment, drawing on therapy/counseling experience and child’s needs were need arises.
4. Educate children, caregivers, parents and community members about mental and physical illness, abuse, medication, and available community resources
5. Modify treatment plans according to changes in child status.
6. Refer children or family to community resources for treatment to assist in recovery from trauma, other mental or physical illness, following through to ensure service efficacy
7. Guide children families/caregivers during treatment. Families also need to know the nature of the mental health conditions of children, and what they can do to help. Counseling families not only helps clients, but also strengthens their support system.

Monitoring and Evaluation

1. Monitor, evaluate, and record child progress with respect to treatment goals
2. Maintaining accurate records and preparing reports for legal action and where need be giving evidence in court.
3. Provide complete documentation and records of assessments and treatment according to standard operating procedures.
4. Interview children, review records, conduct assessments, and confer with professionals to evaluate the mental or physical condition of children
5. Production of monthly reports and documentation of success stories
6. Research on child and adolescent therapies and share the report with Trauma team and management

Behavioral Change management

1. Discussing and analyzing the behavioral issues and problems of the children and families
2. Aiding and addressing children related issues of trauma, drug abuse, alcoholism, violence etc.
3. Monitoring the behavioral actions of the children
4. Ensuring the safety and well-being of the children under their supervision
5. Working in regulation of the state and federal norms

Child Protection and safeguarding

1. Work with Safeguarding Officer to ensure adequate understanding of the Child Protection and safeguarding policy by staff, children, and other stakeholders that KAZ may be working with under trauma and counselling.
2. Ensure compliance to policy provisions including collaboration with relevant Senior Management and law enforcers in the unlikely event that cases of child abuse are recorded.
3. Lead assessments on risks and preparedness to respond to child abuse incidents.

Qualifications and Experience

1. An established Christian with ability to share the gospel and use the word of God to strengthen and give inspiration to children and families.
2. Must have a Diploma in Clinical Psychology. A degree in clinical Psychology shall be an added advantage.
3. Practical experience in child counselling, rehabilitation, or behavioral monitoring for not less than 2 years.
4. Three years’ practical experience working with children in a similar setting may be strongly desired.
5. Experience in monitoring and evaluation of the cases managed is added advantage.
6. Must be knowledgeable of different therapeutic methods and be able to switch between different approaches to meet each child’s needs.
7. Excellent communication skills, specifically the ability to communicate with children of different ages and from different cultural and socio-economic backgrounds.
8. Aware of all professional, ethical, and legal regulations as determined by relevant regulatory bodies and the law.
9. Must hold a valid practicing license as a psychologist or counsellor.
10. Must be fluent in English, Lozi and Nyanja

Essential Skills

1. Strong Christian with unquestionable religious disposition
2. Excellent interpersonal skills
3. Strong communication skills, both written and verbal
4. Strong computer skills including Excel, Word, and Outlook
5. Ability to maintain strict confidentiality.
6. Proven ability to work in a team environment.
7. Positive attitude, showing concern for people and community.
8. High level of self-motivation

Character Requirements

1. A committed Christian with a personal faith in Jesus Christ and a heart for serving orphans and vulnerable children.
2. A commitment to champion and contribute towards the KA organizational culture.
3. Consistent commitment to open and honest communication, demonstrating respect for all.
4. Commitment to child protection and vulnerable safeguarding protocols
5. Integrity and strong character confirmed by employment and personal references.
6. Successful completion of a criminal background check.

Who we are:

Kids Alive (www.kidsalive.org) is a Christ-centered organization that believes every child deserves to live free from the bondage of hunger, abuse, and exploitation. Our commitment to this Biblical truth compels us to rescue orphans and vulnerable children, and meet their spiritual, physical, educational, and emotional needs, with compassion and excellence.