Job Description
Job title: Counsellor
Department: Program Implementation
Reporting to: Site -In-Charge
Location: Mundra, Gujrat
Duration of the project: Till 31st March 2027
Grade: B1
Level of Contact with Children: 1 – (Direct contact with Children)
The position holder shall be responsible to adhere with & work within the ambit of Plan India’s Safeguarding & Gender Equality Policies.
ABOUT PLAN INDIA
Plan International (India Chapter) commonly referred to as Plan India, is an Indian registered not for profit organisation that is constantly striving to advance welfare and development for children and equality for all girls and women in India. Through its grassroots social development work, Plan India seeks to create lasting impact in the lives of poor and vulnerable children, their families and communities, by gender transformative child-centred community development.
Since 1996, Plan India has improved the lives of millions of children and young people by enabling them to access and benefit from the safety nets and schemes of the government for child protection, quality education and healthcare services, healthy environment, livelihood opportunities and participation in community development.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
Plan India shall be implementing ‘Truckers Wellness Project – SWASTH’ with support from DP World from Dec 2024 to March 2027. The project would cater to the truckers and allied population engaged in the transportation of goods and supplies at Mundra Port.
Truckers play a pivotal role in sustaining the country’s economy, ensuring the seamless movement of goods across vast distances, even during challenging times like the COVID-19 pandemic and other emergencies. Their contributions are crucial to the country’s GDP, as they keep supply chains intact and industries operational. Despite their significant role, the health and well-being of truckers are often overlooked, leading to a range of health issues that can affect their quality of life and job performance.
The project intent to provide both health and non-health services with a focus on overall wellbeing by adopting person-centred and resource-effective approach to deliver various disease screening, mental health services, NCD check-up and common sessional ailments. A major thrust of the project would be to support the truckers and allied population in addressing their life style disorders. Therefore, a comprehensive package of services like resting space, recreational services, gym, toilet and bathing facilities would be created which would be utilized by the project beneficiaries as per their free will. The intervention would be implemented in close coordination with public and private health setup in the district and state.
JOB SUMMARY
The Counsellor, will primarily be responsible for providing screening and counselling services around various diseases and other social welfare schemes at the project site and during the outreach activities (health camps and awareness drives organized at different catchment locations). The counsellor will also support Site – In – Charge in monthly planning of program activities keeping project deliverables in mind.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Clinical Services:
Conduct routine health check-ups and screenings for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), HIV and other diseases as per program mandate.
Assist Medical practitioner in provisioning of clinical services to the project beneficiaries.
2. Counselling Services:
Assist the project team in development of training capsules on various health and non-health issues to be used for orientation and sensitization of project beneficiaries.
Conduct awareness sessions and training program for the project beneficiaries on various medical topics and social welfare schemes including financial management/planning topics.
Conduct individual and group counselling sessions for individuals at risk of or affected by HIV/AIDS, TB, STI, Hepatitis and other lifestyle disorders.
Provide emotional support, risk reduction counselling, and health education to project beneficiaries.
Provide mental health screening and provide appropriate counselling or referral for specialised services.
Promote health life style and importance of seeking health services at the earliest in case of any health challenge.
Conduct need-based partner and/or family counselling these could be in-person sessions or virtual sessions.
3. Prevention and Awareness:
Implement strategies for preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS, TB, STI, Hepatitis and other lifestyle disorders, including the promotion of safe sex practices, condom distribution, and awareness campaigns for the truckers and allied population.
Conduct outreach activities to educate truckers and allied population on various issues covered under the project.
4. Testing and Referral:
Assist and carry out various disease screening/testing and facilitate the referral of individuals to appropriate healthcare services for disease confirmation &/or linkages with treatment.
Ensure confidentiality and ethical standards in testing and counselling procedures.
5. Community Engagement: (Truckers and Allied Population Including Key Stakeholders)
Engage with the community to build trust and promote the utilization of healthcare and Non-health related services.
Collaborate with trucker’s association, truck owners and other stakeholders in coordination with other project staff to enhance the effectiveness of program interventions.
6. Data Collection and Reporting:
Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of counselling sessions, screening, and other outreach activities as per program design.
Compile and submit regular reports to Site-In-Charge on program activities, achievements, and challenges.
7. Collaboration with Stakeholders:
Work collaboratively with other healthcare professionals, NGOs, government agencies, and community-based organizations involved in HIV/AIDS, TB, STI, Hepatitis and other lifestyle disorders prevention and care.
Engage effectively with providers of social welfare services and facilitate linkage with social welfare schemes.
8. Capacity Building:
Participate in training programs to enhance self-counselling, clinical skills and knowledge around various social welfare schemes.
Provide support and orientation to truckers’ associations, other stakeholders on community specific issues and counselling techniques.
9. Others
Assist Site-in-Charge in managing project office.
Attend review meetings organised by other partners/organisations in place of Site-in-Charge, as & when required.
Engage in any other task assigned by Site-in-Charge with regards to program implementation.
Coordinate with Site-in-Charge to identify the sites with low service uptake, increasing defaulters – prepare specific outreach and visit plan to conduct site level meetings.
Ensure compliance with universal precautions for blood safety related issues and Bio medical waste disposal.
Ensure proper maintenance of testing/screening kits at project office as per cold chain protocols.
Forecasting requirement of testing kits & other commodities at project office on monthly basis and ensure adequate stock of the same at any point of time.
Reporting
Reporting to Site -In-Charge of the project on programmatic issues and to the Medical practitioner on clinical issues.
ELIGIBILITY
Bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as psychology, sociology, or social work with 2 years work experience in related field.
Preference will be given to candidate with relevant past counselling experience around health topics or good understanding about different national health policies and guidelines related to various social welfare schemes.
Unbiased views about and interested to work with at risk communities like truckers and allied populations.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
Sensitivity and empathy in dealing with individuals affected by HIV/AIDS, TB, other medical conditions.
Ability to work in a multidisciplinary team and collaborate with diverse stakeholders.
Ability to work in small teams and flexible approaches of working.
Proficiency in data recording, report writing, case study compilation.
HOW TO APPLY
Kindly share your resume along with a suitability on planindiacareers@planindia.org
Mention the position name in the subject “Counsellor”
Also mention your current and expected remuneration
Last date of application: 31st January 2025