Counselor Educator At Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) – Holland

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) – Holland in Nigeria Limited by Guarantee is an international, independent, non-profit medical humanitarian organisation. MSF provides assistance to people affected by armed conflict, natural or man-made disasters, and other situations of crisis, without discrimination based on race, religion, beliefs, or political affiliation.

MSF has been working in Nigeria since February 1996, in collaboration with national and local authorities, under a Memorandum of Understanding with the Federal Government of Nigeria.

JOB DETAILS                

Job Type:                               Definite (1 year with possibility of extension)
Duty Station:                          Gummi, Zamfara State
Publication date:                     30^th July 2026
Application deadline:               7^th August 2026

MAIN PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

Perform counselling and/or education sessions to patients, following different medical and mental health MSF protocols and procedures, in order to improve their psychosocial condition.

MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Identify the psychosocial, socio-economic and administrative needs for patients
• Actively promote the availability of counselling services and carry out, individual or in group counseling, basic psycho educational sessions, to patients, their families (when needed), in order to alleviate their psychosocial difficulties within the project scope.
• Refer patients to other specialists or other institutions for further assistance, when necessary in order to propose the best support available.
• Participate in the creation of any material needed for counseling activities and look after it,
• Keep files and statistics of daily activities and participate in team meetings to share experiences and discuss special cases with other counselors, preserving confidentiality
• Inform line manager of any problem of any kind arising during the day-to-day
• Take active part in trainings, supervisions/intervisions and support the activities manager when necessary in doing sensitization for MSF staff or external partners about mental health /psychosocial
• Discuss difficulties and problems in counselling with

Other responsibilities include:

• Ensure individual and/or group counselling and psychosocial support (awareness, psychoeducation) to the patients and caregivers at Gummi Hospital (ITFC unit patients and caregivers, as set by the project) and other MSF Gummi project target populations. To identify the psychological, emotional and behavioural needs and develop a treatment plan, according to the protocol and universal survivor centred principles.
  • Conduct in-take and psychosocial assessments of each client
  • Provide Psycho-stimulation, support group sessions, and one-on-one emotional support counselling and guidance to caregivers and malnourished children, survivors of violence, (children, adolescents, adults and elders) and other vulnerable groups.
  • Provide group counselling when needed
  • Provide and support referrals for clients in need of additional specialized mental health support (psychiatric/pharmacological care).
• Develop action plans to address patients’ physical, emotional, psychological, social, protection, and provide follow up to ensure provision of needed services.
• Give patients information (psychoeducation) and help them identify their needs and options (coping mechanisms).
• Participate in the setting, implementation and reporting of psychosocial activities and other group interventions with specific target population (Survivors of violence, ITFC patients, ITFC caregivers, others).
• Seek out patients that have defaulted while in collaboration with the outreach
• Ensure that in providing psychosocial support to the patients, their rights, needs and wishes are prioritized, always maintaining confidentiality.
• Work in close collaboration with the other team members – health promotion (HP) team, medical team and other actors regarding the importance of MHPSS component on ITFC interventions, stigma, health consequences, comprehensive medical support, including psychosocial needs and importance of access to care, and assist with sensitization of new staff on the importance of Mental Health in Gummi MSF interventions.
  • When possible, ensure the awareness raising activities in the community in conjunction with the HP team so that they can understand about the involvement of MH in Malnutrition, SGBV and promote initiatives to get the support.
  • Participate in conducting focus group discussion with family members, community members and neighbors in the field or in the health care center to understand specific needs.
  • Work in collaboration with the medical team (doctors, nurses, midwives and other actors) to ensure comprehensive support for the patients and caregivers at ITFC unit (based on MSF MHPSS intervention plan).
  • Assist with initiation of culturally sensitive community support programs in collaboration with the outreach
  • Take an active role in trainings/interventions and support the MHS, MHAM, MTL when necessary in doing sensitization for MSF staff or external partners about MHPSS.

• Perform duties observing the MSF policies and in compliance with relevant SOPs of the department, and immediately reporting to supervisor whenever compliance is or cannot be met.

Data and reporting:

• Ensure regular reports on activities, assessments, follow-up and other related documents to ensure the quality and reporting of the project data.
• Support MHS to set inputs for MHPSS reports (MMR, 12M, others), and set the reports when
• Maintain and ensure strict confidentiality of the patients’ data, report and everything as well MSF

Supervision/meetings:

• Participate in weekly supervision for cases from MH supervisor/MHAM/MTL and share challenges with supervisor in an immediate manner.
• Attend and actively participate in group and individual clinical supervision with the MHAM/MH supervisor
• Attend the project meeting on daily, weekly or monthly basis and share the update of

Application Deadline 7, August 2026

Method of Application :

1. Complete the online MS Form using the link or QR code provided below:

 CLICK HERE TO– Fill out form

OR

2. Send one email to [email protected], with “Counselor Educator” as the subject, attaching:
   • Your updated CV
   • Cover letter
   • Copies of educational documents relevant to the position

Please send all documents in one email, preferably as one PDF file. Do not send multiple emails or separate attachments.

NOTE:

• Only shortlisted candidates will be
• Documents submitted will not be
• No transportation or travel allowance will be provided during the recruitment
• No accommodation will be provided at the duty station upon

We are an equal opportunity employer: we welcome applications from individuals of all genders, ages, nationalities, races, religions, beliefs, ability status, and all other diversity characteristics.

Qualified women candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

MSF-OCA is committed to promoting and maintaining an environment where everyone associated with us —or who comes into contact with our activities—feels safe, respected, and valued. Our safeguarding approach prioritizes the wellbeing and dignity of the communities we assist, as well as that of our staff and partners.

MSF-OCA’s Code of Conduct sets out clear standards for responsible behaviour grounded in respect, inclusion, and accountability. All employees are expected to comply with this Code of Conduct and avoid any behaviour that violates it. Particular care must be taken to prevent harm to those most at risk, including children, adolescents, patients, and people with disabilities.

MSF will use the personal data collected through applications solely for recruitment purposes. The data will be treated confidentially, accessed only by authorised MSF staff, and retained for a maximum period of 12 months, in line with MSF data protection standards.

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