Information Counselor

Job Summary:

1. The Information counsellor will work in an office of the NRC Information, Counselling and Legal Aid Project in Afghanistan according to and as reflected in the objectives and goals stated in the project description and budgets to donors and in line with the NRC Policy Program and current Plan of Action and Strategy for the region.
2. The employee shall represent and promote the interests of NRC through the implementation of the projects and through advocacy work on behalf of refugees, returnees and internally displaced persons.

Duties & Responsibilities:

1. The IC will liaise with governmental and non governmental organizations to create and maintain a network of organizations to which returnees and IDPs can be referred;
2. The IC will regularly conduct community visits, of up to several days duration, to districts and sub districts of the ILAC’s AoR to educate returnee and IDP populations about NRC’s mandate. The IC will gather and disseminate other information as required;
3. The IC will collect and record information about the socio-economic, security and general conditions within the ILAC’s AOR for returnees and IDPs;
4. The IC will undertake media related activities about the ICLA program;
5. The IC shall work closely with the legal section. The IC should be aware of the number of registered and solved legal cases in the ILAC, important legal developments and how the courts and jirgas function. The IC shall participate in jirgas, following up cases and other activities as required by the Team Leader and PC;
6. The IC will identify problems facing returnees both before and after return, and record the experiences of returnees;
7. The IC must be able to communicate with individuals and groups of returnees and IDPs;
8. The IC shall participate in preparation of monthly reports, thematic reports, and correspondence with government officials and international organizations;
9. The IC shall participate in NRC staff seminars and training, when scheduled;
10. The Information counsellor shall coordinate with the other ILAC’s information sections and NRC personnel about information strategy and approach;
11. The Information counsellor shall represent NRC in national and international meetings, when requested and promote exchange of information with relevant external actors;
12. The Information counsellor shall at all times respect the anonymity of clients approaching NRC and the confidentiality of information received from any clients;
13. The IC is responsible for close co-operation with NRCs shelter and Education programs, including needs assessments and identifying beneficiaries where appropriate;
14. Any other reasonable tasks as instructed by immediate superior.

Job Requirement:

1. University degree in education, political science, social work, or other relevant educational background such as teacher, journalist, community worker etc;
2. 2 to 3 years previous work experience in the field of community services, with an emphasis on networking with other organizations and working with clients. Preferably with UN or NGOs;
3. Experience in report writing, public speaking, community visits and coordinating and communicating with NGOs, GoA Departments and UN agencies;
4. Excellent communication skills and experience in counselling;
5. Proven initiative, flexibility and pro activity;
6. Ability to work as part of a team;
7. Ability to travel to field for extended periods;
8. Fluency in written and oral Dari.

Job Location: