Akanksha Foundation
## Job Title: School Counselor
**About The Akanksha Foundation:**
The Akanksha Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of education for underprivileged children in India. We believe that every child deserves a quality education and that this is essential to breaking the cycle of poverty. We work with government schools to provide students with a holistic education that includes academic, social, and emotional development.
**Job Description:**
Akanksha is seeking passionate and dedicated School Counselors to join our growing team. As a School Counselor, you will play a vital role in fostering a supportive and inclusive learning environment for our students. You will work directly with children, teachers, and families to address socio-emotional, behavioral, and learning challenges.
**Responsibilities:**
* **Directly support students:** Conduct individual and small group sessions with children and parents facing various challenges.
* **Classroom Observations:** Observe classrooms to identify students with socio-emotional, behavioral, or learning needs.
* **Trauma-Informed Support:** Provide therapeutic intervention to students experiencing trauma or reported abuse.
* **Capacity Building:** Facilitate workshops and sessions for teachers, social workers, and school leaders on child development, socio-emotional learning, and child safety.
* **Community Engagement:** Conduct home visits and meet with parents to collaborate on supporting students.
* **Network Level Support:** Contribute to the development of resources and programs for the entire Akanksha network.
* **Collaboration with external agencies:** Coordinate with government hospitals and external experts for various services and training.
* **Teamwork:** Actively participate in team training and collaborations, supporting team members and sharing knowledge.
**Qualifications:**
* **Education:**
* A Bachelor’s degree with a specialization in psychology (Required).
* A Master’s degree with a specialization in clinical or counseling psychology OR a post-graduate diploma in psychology or counseling (Required).
* Additional relevant trainings preferred.
* **Experience:**
* Minimum 2 years of experience working directly with children/youth.
* Experience documenting casework and planning workshops.
* Prior experience building capacity in teachers and parents regarding child development and related areas (preferred).
* 2 years or more of relevant experience in the field of education working with children and parents (preferred).
**Skills and Abilities:**
* **Empathetic and patient:** Possess a compassionate and understanding approach towards students.
* **Trauma-Informed and Systems Thinking:** Knowledge and experience with trauma-informed and systems-based approaches.
* **Group Facilitation:** Proficient in group facilitation techniques and skills.
* **Tech Savvy:** Comfortable utilizing technology and online platforms for work.
* **Positive and Solution-Oriented:** Maintain a positive attitude, demonstrate strong work ethics, and focus on finding solutions.
* **Highly Motivated and Persevering:** Committed to achieving goals and working towards success.
* **Openness to Learning:** Eager to continuously learn and grow professionally and personally.
* **Flexibility and Adaptability:** Ability to adjust to changing environments and work effectively in an unstructured environment.
* **Strong Interpersonal Skills:** Excellent communication and collaboration skills with various stakeholders.
**Job Location:**
* **Mumbai**
* **Nagpur**
* **Pune**
**Commitment:**
* This role requires a minimum commitment of 2 years.
**About The Role:**
This role offers a rewarding experience to make a tangible difference in the lives of children and contribute to a positive and impactful educational environment. If you are passionate about working with children and committed to promoting their wellbeing, this is a fantastic opportunity to join our team.
To apply for this job please visit www.akanksha.org.
