Counsellor

Organization: EmpowHER India

Location: Karjat, District Raigad, Maharashtra

Position Type: Full-Time (Contractual)

Reporting To: Senior Operations Manager

About EmpowHER India

EmpowHER India is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering adolescent girls and boys in rural Maharashtra through educational programs focused on gender equity, health, and safety. Our mission is to foster agency, awareness of rights, and critical decision-making skills to equip young individuals to thrive in challenging environments. The organization is implementing a comprehensive child-centered intervention to address child sexual abuse (CSA) by providing psychosocial support, legal assistance, and rehabilitation services to survivors and their families.

Job Summary

The Counsellor will play a pivotal role in EmpowHER India’s child-centered intervention program, providing trauma-informed psychosocial support and counselling to child survivors of sexual abuse and their families. The role involves working closely with the child survivors of sexual abuse and harassment, child protection functionaries, external partners and EmpowHER India’s other programs to ensure holistic support, including referrals to medical, legal, and rehabilitation services. 

Key Responsibilities

Psychosocial Support and Counselling

• Conduct individual counselling sessions for adolescent children, using trauma-informed, child-friendly therapeutic tools to meet diverse needs, considering age, gender, and cultural sensitivities. 
• Offer psychosocial support to families and caregivers to address emotional and social challenges. 

Case Management and Referrals

• Address the cases of child sexual abuse (CSA) reported during program sessions, ensuring child-friendly communication.  
• Collaborate with the empowHER India’s other program staff to develop individualized support plans for survivors. 
• Facilitate referrals to external services, including medical facilities, legal aid, shelters, and educational institutions, ensuring seamless coordination and follow-up. 
• Maintain accurate records in the referral database to track case progress and outcomes.

Training and Capacity Building

• Participate in training workshops on trauma-informed care, child protection, case management, and legal procedures related to CSA. 
• Contribute to awareness sessions in schools and communities on child protection, safe and unsafe touch, and reporting mechanisms under the POCSO Act, 2012.

Collaboration and Reporting

• Work closely with the CWC, DWCD, DLSA, etc.  
• Provide regular updates on counselling sessions, case progress, and referral outcomes through monthly progress reports. 
• Ensure compliance with child protection policies and the POCSO Act, 2012, in all activities.

Qualifications and Skills

Education:

Experience:

Minimum of 2-3 years of experience in providing counselling or psychosocial support, preferably with children and families affected by trauma or abuse. 

Experience working with child protection systems, adolescents, or victims of sexual abuse is an advantage.

Skills and Competencies:

• Strong understanding of trauma-informed care, child psychology, and child-friendly counselling techniques. 
• Familiarity with the POCSO Act, 2012, and child protection frameworks in India. 
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with fluency in Marathi, Hindi, and English. 
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, ethical standards, and cultural sensitivity in case handling. 
• Proficiency in documentation, case management, and maintaining databases. 
• Strong organizational skills and ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders.
• Willingness to travel within Maharashtra for training, counselling session for beneficiary children, and stakeholder coordination with fieldwork in rural communities and schools.
• The role involves regular interaction with children, families, and stakeholders, requiring sensitivity and adherence to child protection policies. 

Remuneration

The annual compensation for this position is Rs. 3.6 LPA to 4.2 LPA inclusive of applicable taxes. 

Application Process

Interested candidates should submit their resume, a cover letter detailing their relevant experience, and two professional references to career@empowherindia.org. Please include “Application for Counsellor” in the subject line. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews. 

Application deadline: 10th September 2025

EmpowHER India is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We strongly encourage applications from candidates belonging to marginalized communities.