Counselor educator vacancy at Médecins Sans Frontières MSF

JOB ALERT

MEDECINS SANS FRONTIERES MSF FRANCE IS RECRUITING

POSITION: COUNSELOR EDUCATOR

LOCATION: JAHUN, JIGAWA STATE, NIGERIA

EMPLOYMENT TYPE: CONTRACT

APPLICATION DEADLINE: 14 OCTOBER 2026

Médecins Sans Frontières MSF is recruiting a Counselor Educator to provide counselling, psychoeducation and mental health and psychosocial support to patients, families and other vulnerable populations within its Jahun project.

MSF’s Counselor Educator role involves counselling and educational activities for patients and families, referrals where necessary, maintaining activity records and statistics, and working closely with multidisciplinary medical and mental health teams.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Identify the psychosocial, socio-economic and administrative needs of patients.
2. Provide individual and group counselling and basic psychoeducation to patients and their families.
3. Receive referrals from medical teams and conduct intake and psychological assessments for patients requiring mental health support.
4. Identify emotional and psychosocial needs and contribute to treatment and follow-up plans with the Mental Health Activity Manager.
5. Provide individual, family and group counselling for patients on the VVF and Maternity Wards, caregivers of ICU and NBU patients, survivors of sexual violence and other vulnerable populations.
6. Conduct follow-up counselling using a Cognitive Behavioural model, focusing on emotional distress, coping mechanisms, resilience, problem management and decision-making.
7. Provide Psychological First Aid PFA to patients and families where required.
8. Provide PFA to HIV-positive patients and refer them to relevant Ministry of Health services for follow-up.
9. Plan, facilitate and report on psychosocial activities and group interventions, including activities such as art and craft therapy.
10. Develop action plans addressing the emotional and social needs of survivors of sexual violence and follow up on referrals and services.
11. Work with medical teams including doctors, nurses and midwives to provide comprehensive patient-centred support.
12. Participate in palliative care discussions involving ICU and NBU patients, medical teams and caregivers.
13. Collaborate with the Health Promotion team on community awareness activities concerning mental health, sexual violence, obstetric complications and VVF.
14. Conduct daily rounds of the VVF and Maternity Wards to identify and process non-urgent mental health referrals.
15. Facilitate mental health awareness and psychoeducation sessions for patients, caregivers and community members.
16. Refer patients requiring specialised or continued mental health care to appropriate external partners in collaboration with the Mental Health Activity Manager.
17. Maintain strict confidentiality of patient information and ensure proper storage and management of patient files.
18. Accurately update patient files, progress notes, counselling registers and other required documentation.
19. Maintain accurate statistics and enter consultation data into the Mental Health Database MHDB on a weekly basis.
20. Prepare monthly reports on mental health and psychosocial support activities using standard indicators.
21. Identify and report challenges affecting counselling and mental health activities.
22. Participate in weekly individual supervision, group supervision, knowledge-sharing meetings and relevant trainings.
23. Participate actively in team meetings and contribute to discussions around special cases while maintaining confidentiality.
24. Follow MSF policies, procedures and standard operating procedures and immediately report any compliance challenges.

KEY AREAS OF SUPPORT

The role will support patients and vulnerable populations affected by issues including:

1. Obstetric complications and VVF.
2. Sexual violence.
3. Maternal and newborn health challenges.
4. Mental health and psychosocial difficulties.
5. Serious illness and hospitalisation.
6. Difficulties related to treatment decisions and patient-care plans.
7. Caregiver distress involving ICU and NBU patients.
8. Other psychosocial needs within the project’s target population.

PATIENT-CENTRED CARE

The successful candidate is expected to ensure that patients’ rights, needs and wishes are respected, including:

1. The right to dignity and respect.
2. The right to privacy and confidentiality.
3. The right to non-discrimination.
4. The right to make informed decisions regarding their mental health and medical care.
5. The right to receive comprehensive information needed to make decisions about their care.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Interested candidates should submit:

1. Motivation Letter.
2. CV with at least two references.
3. Academic documents excluding primary school certificates.
4. Work experience certificates.

HOW TO APPLY

ONLINE APPLICATION

Interested and qualified applicants should complete the application form:

Apply Online for Counselor Educator – MSF Jahun

PHYSICAL APPLICATION

Applications may also be submitted to:

MSFF Jahun

Unguwar Turaki, along Kafin Hausa Road

Behind Upper Sharia Court

Jahun Local Government Area

Jigawa State

Applications should be placed in the Application Box outside the front gate and addressed to the MSF Admin Manager.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: 14 OCTOBER 2026

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Applicants should ensure that all required documents are included with their applications.

MSF’s standard Counselor Educator profile emphasises counselling and psychoeducation, referral of patients when necessary, accurate activity records and statistics, confidentiality, teamwork and flexibility.